6 Steps to be a software tutor
Looking to become a one-to-one tutor? TLDR: Drop everything and learn to write the common interview algorithms from scratch (again).
Joking, that is only part of it.
Most aspiring programmers know they are on a long and challenging road to landing their dream job. Lucky for you, there is a range of people (young, old, grads, experienced professionals) who are willing to part with their hard-earned cash in exchange for a fast track entry into the software industry.
You won’t be expected to come up with the meaning of life.
What’s in it for you?
- Tutoring is a great way to build your soft skills. If you find that tutoring is not your cup of tea, at least the experience is highly valued by employers.
- Let’s get the obvious benefit out of the way, you are paid by the hour.
- Tutoring the same students saves you time. Regular lessons keeps you and the student on the same wavelength, which reduces the amount of time you spend preparing.
- Helping someone crack a problem is bound to put a smile on both of your faces and the challenge might be trivial for someone of your caliber and expertise.
Let’s get started!
Here are 6 tips to get you tutoring.
- Advertise on tutoring platforms Bitmentor.co.uk. They handle payments (for a fee) and provide a booking system. They also feature an online whiteboard. Important: You may also want a DBS check. A basic check costs £23 from here.
- Create your profile. Give an overview of your experience by following a CV format. Also state your availability such as evenings and weekends. Don't forget to mention if you are willing to travel (and how many miles) or if you are online only.
- Set an hourly price. Scout the market to guage the price. Bitmentor lets you view tutor’s profiles by location and expertise. To get a head start you can price yourself competitively until you get some reviews.
- You have to pick a language such as Java, python, javascript and so on. Add detail on specific frameworks and areas of expertise.
- Understanding what the student wants to achieve should be your first question. Do this ahead of the lesson to avoid eating into their precious hour and give yourself time to prepare. Note: Make sure they have installed everything they need for the lesson.
- Try to share the driving seat during the lesson. This means you should write the code and demonstrate your ideas. And then let them take control and practice in front of you. You will see errors and catch them while it's fresh in their mind, which is invaluable to them and a time saver for you.
And that’s it. Now you know everything, which you need to be a tutor. Good luck and have fun.
PS. Ask if there's anything specific they want to cover before the lesson. You don't want to be caught out because you haven't brushed up on your sorting algorithms in years, do you?
