Becoming a tutor doesn’t require a specific career path, but a desire to help and competence in the subject. No official degree or certification is needed, but having one is an asset. Private tutoring institutions may require additional credentials. Federally funded programs offer free tutoring services to students. Private tutors can charge competitive fees and must maintain professional relationships with clients.
There is no single career path to follow to become a tutor, although a genuine desire to help others succeed and a demonstrated degree of competence in your chosen subject are two universal qualities of an effective tutor. Some learn to become a tutor voluntarily in a peer-to-peer tutoring program in elementary or high school. Others complete their own educational goals and then become tutors when they are young. A senior or retiree can also become a tutor by participating in volunteer programs or seeking out individual clients.
Anyone who believes they have the necessary technical and social skills to help others can become a tutor. No official degree or certification is required for a person to advertise their tutoring services and schedule appointments for sessions. Potential clients or parents, however, may request some proof of experience and/or competence in their chosen subject, meaning that having a college degree or other educational certification would be a definite asset.
To become a professional tutor at a private tutoring institution, however, some additional credentials may be required. A college degree in the appropriate field would be a minimum employment requirement, for example. Some tutoring companies also require tutors to be certified teachers, which means they have been vetted for competence by a recognized board. A tutor may only see a client for a few hours a week, but during that time, he or she must be able to establish authority and create a positive learning environment.
It is also possible to become a tutor by enrolling in a federally funded program at a local college or university. Some of these programs are designed to provide free tutoring services to registered students. A tutoring coordinator matches the needs of students with the availability of an acceptable tutor. The tutor can be considered an employee of the institution or an independent contractor paid through federal or state funds. The pay rate for a college-sponsored tutor may not rival that of an actual instructor, but scheduling is generally flexible and the tutor is still able to book private clients outside of business hours.
Some private tutors, especially those with extensive experience in technical fields, can charge very competitive fees for their services. An employee struggling with a new computer operating system, for example, might find hiring a private tutor more affordable than signing up for an entire class or struggling on. Parents may also be willing to pay competitive salaries for qualified English, math or science teachers who may work with senior graduates or students who need additional individual attention.
Becoming a tutor can be a very rewarding experience, but an effective tutor must be able to maintain professional relationships with clients and recognize when their services are no longer needed. Some struggling students may see a tutor as a crutch or personal advisor or life coach, so it’s important for tutors to recognize their limitations as trainers and allow others to meet their clients’ other needs. Tutoring can also be a good way to retain core skills and apply them to real-world situations.
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