Home › Education & Library › Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary

How a teaching assistant (postsecondary) can use AI, task by task

O*NET 25-9044.00: Teaching Assistants, PostsecondaryMedian pay $42,910/year (BLS, May 2025)20 tasksJob Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Assist faculty or other instructional staff in postsecondary institutions by performing instructional support activities, such as developing teaching materials, leading discussion groups, preparing and giving examinations, and grading examinations or papers.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Graduate Assistant, Graduate Fellow, Graduate Research Assistant, Graduate Student, Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), Research Assistant (RA), Teaching Assistant (TA), Teaching Fellow.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 12%AI-assist 60%Stays human 28%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 2 AI-ready, 13 AI-assist and 5 human-led tasks out of 20. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

  1. Evaluate and grade examinations, assignments, or papers, and record grades.Train & teach · Weekly
  2. Teach undergraduate-level courses.Train & teach · Weekly
  3. Develop teaching materials, such as syllabi, visual aids, answer keys, supplementary notes, or course Web sites.Explain it clearly · Weekly

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

  1. Return assignments to students in accordance with established deadlines.Hands-on work · Weekly
  2. Inform students of the procedures for completing and submitting class work, such as lab reports.Be there for people · Weekly
  3. Lead discussion sections, tutorials, or laboratory sections.Lead people · Weekly

🔒 Many of these tasks involve people's information. Remove names and identifying details before using AI, or use only a tool your employer has approved.

AI can draft these 2

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Develop teaching materials, such as syllabi, visual aids, answer keys, supplementary notes, or course Web sites.

Weekly

AI turns complex material into plain-language handouts.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 53% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI is great at turning complicated material into plain-language guides, handouts, FAQs and how-tos for a specific audience. You check it's accurate.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to develop teaching materials, such as syllabi, visual aids, answer keys, supplementary notes, or course Web sites.

Context: We use Course management system software; the work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Course: [subject, level]
Need: [syllabus, assignment, handout]

Draft the material with clear objectives and grading criteria. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Course materials

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop teaching materials (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Course] and [Need] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop instructional materials.. Also involves: Create technology-based learning materials..

Prepare or proctor examinations.

Monthly

AI drafts lesson plans, quizzes and practice scenarios.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 68% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person. This label was updated from real usage data.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft lesson plans, training outlines, quizzes and practice scenarios in minutes. You shape them around your learners and your standards.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to prepare or proctor examinations.

Context: We use Learning management system LMS and Blackboard Learn; the work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Subject and topics: [list]
Format: [multiple choice, short answer, essay, length]

Write the test with an answer key and difficulty mix, and flag questions that might be ambiguous.

10-minute exercise: Write a test

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare proctor examinations.
Step 2Fill in [Subject and topics] and [Format] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Take the test yourself first and fix anything ambiguous.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare tests.. Also involves: Administer tests to assess educational needs or progress..

AI can help you prep these 13

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Evaluate and grade examinations, assignments, or papers, and record grades.

Weekly

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 50% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to evaluate and grade examinations, assignments, or papers, and record grades.

Context: We use Learning management system LMS and Blackboard Learn; the work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Assignment: [paste the prompt and rubric]
Sample work: [paste one anonymized submission]

Apply the rubric to the sample with reasons for each score and draft feedback. Then suggest a comment bank for common issues.

10-minute exercise: Grade faster and fairer

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you evaluate and grade examinations, assignments and papers (this week).
Step 2Paste the [Assignment] rubric and one anonymized piece into [Sample work].
Step 3Compare its scores with yours. Keep the comment bank, keep the grading yours.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Evaluate student work..

Teach undergraduate-level courses.

Weekly

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 14% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to teach undergraduate-level courses.

Context: We use Learning management system LMS and Blackboard Learn; the work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Subject: [topic]
Learners: [describe]

Plan a session with objectives, activities and a check for understanding. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Class session plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you teach undergraduate-level courses (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Subject] and [Learners] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Swap one AI example for a real story from your own work. Real stories are what people remember.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Teach classes in area of specialization.. Also involves: Guide class discussions..

Tutor or mentor students who need additional instruction.

Weekly

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 20% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to tutor or mentor students who need additional instruction.

Context: We use Learning management system LMS and Blackboard Learn; the work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Student need: [topic, exam, performance]
Time: [minutes]

Plan a diagnostic question, targeted practice and a confidence check. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Tutoring session

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you tutor or mentor students who need additional instruction (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Student need] and [Time] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3End with one thing the student can do on their own.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Tutor students who need extra assistance..

Schedule and maintain regular office hours to meet with students.

Weekly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to schedule and maintain regular office hours to meet with students.

Context: We use Microsoft Excel; the work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Program: [courses, guest lectures]
Constraints: [rooms, learner availability]

Draft a schedule maximizing attendance. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Course scheduling

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you schedule and maintain regular office hours (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Program] and [Constraints] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Schedule instructional activities..

Meet with supervisors to discuss students' grades or to complete required grade-related paperwork.

Monthly

AI drafts clear messages and talking points.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft updates, emails and talking points so your message is clear and complete. Relationships and real-time calls are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to meet with supervisors to discuss students' grades or to complete required grade-related paperwork.

Issue: [describe without names]
What I need: [decision, help, awareness]

Draft a short message or talking points: the facts, the impact, and my suggested next step.

10-minute exercise: Raise an issue with a supervisor

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you meet with supervisors. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Issue] and [What I need] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Stick to facts and bring a suggested solution.

Never let AI send messages for you. Read every word, because tone mistakes cost trust.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Discuss problems or issues with supervisors..

Provide assistance to faculty members or staff with laboratory or field research.

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to provide assistance to faculty members or staff with laboratory or field research.

Context: We use DOC Cop and iParadigms Turnitin; the work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Request: [materials, project]
Users: [teachers, students]

Suggest sources and a search plan. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Support teachers' research

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide assistance (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Request] and [Users] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Open two of the sources it gives and confirm the key claim before you use it.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.8/5 · O*NET work activity: Assist other educational professionals with projects or research..

Attend lectures given by the supervising instructor.

Monthly

AI explains and quizzes you; confirm against official sources.

Show prompt & steps

AI can explain new developments and quiz you. Confirm what you learn against official sources.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to attend lectures given by the supervising instructor.

Context: The work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Event: [training, conference, professional meeting]
What I want from it: [skills, contacts, answers]

Prepare a primer on the main topics, 5 questions to ask, and a one-page template for notes and actions.

10-minute exercise: Make a meeting or training count

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you attend lectures given.
Step 2Fill in [Event] and [What I want from it] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Turn one action into something you do the following week.

AI's knowledge has a cutoff date. For new regulations and standards, always confirm against the official source.

Importance 3.4/5 · O*NET work activity: Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge..

Demonstrate use of laboratory equipment and enforce laboratory rules.

Weekly

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to demonstrate use of laboratory equipment and enforce laboratory rules.

Context: We use Learning management system LMS and Blackboard Learn; the work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Technology: [drones, equipment]
Trainees: [describe]

Plan training with safety and practice. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Technology training

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you demonstrate use of laboratory equipment (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Technology] and [Trainees] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Swap one AI example for a real story from your own work. Real stories are what people remember.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 3.8/5 · O*NET work activity: Teach others to use technology or equipment.. Also involves: Supervise school or student activities..

Order or obtain materials needed for classes.

A few times a year

AI preps the paperwork; approving and paying stay with you.

Show prompt & steps

AI can prep the paperwork, extract details from documents and make checklists. Approving, paying and verifying stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to order or obtain materials needed for classes.

Context: We use Structured query language SQL and Microsoft Excel.
Materials: [books, equipment]
Budget and rules: [describe]

Organize an order list and justification. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Ordering instructional materials

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you order or obtain materials.
Step 2Fill in [Materials] and [Budget and rules] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Importance 3.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Order instructional or library materials or equipment..

Notify instructors of errors or problems with assignments.

A few times a year

AI drafts clear messages and talking points.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft updates, emails and talking points so your message is clear and complete. Relationships and real-time calls are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to notify instructors of errors or problems with assignments.

Issue: [describe without names]
What I need: [decision, help, awareness]

Draft a short message or talking points: the facts, the impact, and my suggested next step.

10-minute exercise: Raise an issue with a supervisor

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you notify instructors of errors or problems.
Step 2Fill in [Issue] and [What I need] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Stick to facts and bring a suggested solution.

Never let AI send messages for you. Read every word, because tone mistakes cost trust.

Importance 3.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Discuss problems or issues with supervisors..

Complete laboratory projects prior to assigning them to students so that any needed modifications can be made.

Monthly

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 59% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to complete laboratory projects prior to assigning them to students so that any needed modifications can be made.

Context: We use Learning management system LMS and Blackboard Learn; the work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Lesson: [topic]
Learner needs: [general description, no names]

Suggest adaptations: different entry points, supports, extensions and checks for understanding. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Adapt the lesson

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you complete laboratory projects prior. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Lesson] and [Learner needs] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Try one adaptation and note how learners respond.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 3.8/5 · O*NET work activity: Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.. Also involves: Evaluate training programs, instructors, or materials.; Develop instructional materials..

Provide instructors with assistance in the use of audiovisual equipment.

Monthly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to provide instructors with assistance in the use of audiovisual equipment.

Context: We use DOC Cop and iParadigms Turnitin; the work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Request: [materials, project]
Users: [teachers, students]

Suggest sources and a search plan. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Support teachers' research

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide instructors.
Step 2Fill in [Request] and [Users] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Open two of the sources it gives and confirm the key claim before you use it.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.1/5 · O*NET work activity: Assist other educational professionals with projects or research..

Assist faculty members or staff with student conferences.

A few times a year

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to assist faculty members or staff with student conferences.

Context: We use DOC Cop and iParadigms Turnitin; the work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Request: [materials, project]
Users: [teachers, students]

Suggest sources and a search plan. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Support teachers' research

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you assist faculty members or staff. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Request] and [Users] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Open two of the sources it gives and confirm the key claim before you use it.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Assist other educational professionals with projects or research..

These stay human 5

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Face-to-face discussions: every day · Contact with others: constant contact with others

Return assignments to students in accordance with established deadlines.

Weekly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to return assignments to students in accordance with established deadlines.

Context: The work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Materials: [classroom, library]
Recipients: [describe]

Make a distribution and tracking routine. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Materials distribution

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you return assignments (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Materials] and [Recipients] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Distribute instructional or library materials..

Inform students of the procedures for completing and submitting class work, such as lab reports.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to inform students of the procedures for completing and submitting class work, such as lab reports.

Context: The work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Who: [student, mentee; no names]
Topic: [courses, career, research]

Prepare questions to understand their goals, options to discuss, and next steps. Then play the student.

10-minute exercise: Advising session

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you inform students of the procedures (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Who] and [Topic] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3End with one concrete next step they own.

📊 People already use AI around this task (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026). The task itself stays human-led.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Advise students on academic or career matters.. Also involves: Advise others on educational matters..

Lead discussion sections, tutorials, or laboratory sections.

Weekly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to lead discussion sections, tutorials, or laboratory sections.

Context: The work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Lab: [teaching, food science]
People: [students, technicians]

Plan safety briefing, checkpoints and feedback. Give me the key message in 2 sentences, how people might react, and how to respond to each.

10-minute exercise: Supervising lab work

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you lead discussion sections, tutorials and laboratory sections (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Lab] and [People] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

📊 People already use AI around this task (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026). The task itself stays human-led.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Supervise laboratory work.. Also involves: Guide class discussions..

Copy and distribute classroom materials.

Monthly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to copy and distribute classroom materials.

Context: The work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Materials: [classroom, library]
Recipients: [describe]

Make a distribution and tracking routine. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Materials distribution

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you copy and distribute classroom materials.
Step 2Fill in [Materials] and [Recipients] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 3.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Distribute instructional or library materials..

Arrange for supervisors to conduct teaching observations and provide feedback about teaching performance.

A few times a year

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to arrange for supervisors to conduct teaching observations and provide feedback about teaching performance.

Context: The work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Evidence: [observations, student evaluations, research, service, no names]
Criteria: [your institution's standards]

Organize the evidence against each criterion, note strengths and growth areas, and suggest discussion questions. I make the judgment.

10-minute exercise: Prepare a faculty evaluation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you arrange for supervisors.
Step 2Fill in [Evidence] and [Criteria] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Write the judgment yourself and use the questions in the meeting.

Importance 3.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Evaluate performance of educational staff..

Get the full prompt pack for Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary

Every task, prompt and 10-minute exercise on this page in one PDF, formatted to print or keep on your desktop. Free.

Where should we send your PDF?

Your Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary prompt pack downloads straight away, and a copy goes to your inbox.

We'll also send occasional updates about this playbook. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy

Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Complex Problem Solvingimportance 3.1/5
    Used in: Monitoring and Controlling Resources

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

  • Writingimportance 3.2/5
    Used in: Training and Teaching Others
  • Active Listeningimportance 3.6/5
    Used in: Training and Teaching Others
  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Training and Teaching Others
  • Speakingimportance 3.5/5
    Used in: Training and Teaching Others

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

  • Geography Teachers, Postsecondary25% human-led · Same preparation · $97,590/yr · usually doctoral degreeSkills to build: Science, Writing, Speaking
  • Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary23% human-led · Same preparation · $85,020/yr · usually doctoral degreeSkills to build: Writing, Speaking, Systems Evaluation
  • Sociologists12% human-led · Same preparation · $106,030/yr · usually doctoral degreeSkills to build: Science, Writing, Social Perceptiveness
  • Historians14% human-led · Same preparation · $76,750/yr · usually master's degreeSkills to build: Writing, Critical Thinking, Active Learning

New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 1 new or updated task here: 0 AI-ready, 1 AI-assist, 0 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Correspond with students through email to address their questions and concerns.

New in O*NET

AI builds you an answer bank; exceptions and the human touch are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Build a personal answer bank with AI for the questions you get every day. In the moment, the human touch and the judgment about exceptions are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a teaching assistant (postsecondary). Part of my job is to correspond with students through email to address their questions and concerns.

Context: The work draws on education and training, computers and electronics and mathematics.
Inquiries: [paste examples, no personal data]
Facts: [policies]

Draft reply templates. Keep answers to 2-3 sentences and flag any that depend on the situation.

10-minute exercise: Written responses

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you correspond with students. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Inquiries] and [Facts] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the answers you'd actually use and tweak each one the first time you send it.

Don't paste customers' personal details into AI tools. Describe the situation instead.

New O*NET task (07/2016). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so its label comes from similar tasks, such as “Prepare reports or correspondence concerning project specifications, activities, or status.” (Software Developers), and was checked by hand. O*NET work activity: Correspond with customers to answer questions or resolve complaints.. Also involves: Sort mail.; Communicate project information to others..

Getting into this job

Bachelor's degree is most common (57% of workers)

  • Certificate or some college 1%
  • Bachelor's 57%
  • Graduate degree 41%
  • On-the-job training: 1–3 months
  • Related experience: 1–3 months

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

Adobe PhotoshopGoogle DocsIBM SPSS StatisticsMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordSASStructured query language SQL