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Graduate Assistant Jobs in Fairfield, CT (NOW HIRING)

As an Assistant Merchant, you'll support our Merchandise team in the curation of a product assortment that represents the tenets of our brand while increasing sales and achieving profit goals. As an ...

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Graduate Assistant information

See Fairfield, CT salary details

$6

$19

$34

How much do graduate assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate assistant in Fairfield, CT is $19.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.43 and $21.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate assistant?

Graduate Assistants (GAs) are graduate students who work part-time at a college or university, typically assisting faculty or departments with teaching, research, or administrative tasks. These positions often provide a stipend and/or tuition waiver in exchange for their work. Graduate Assistants gain valuable professional experience while pursuing their advanced degrees, and their responsibilities can vary widely depending on the department and the specific assistantship. Common duties include helping with classroom instruction, grading assignments, conducting research, or supporting university operations.

What does a graduate assistant do?

The job of a graduate assistant is to perform research, teach, or work at a university as part of their academic education. Graduate assistants are typically doctoral candidates, but some master’s students may also qualify to work in this position. Your duties in this career differ depending on your role and the level of class at which you assist. For example, many large lecture classes need graders, readers, and teaching assistants, all with separate responsibilities. On the other hand, if you work in labs or departmental offices, you may work as a full-time researcher.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Assistant, you generally need strong academic credentials in your field, research and analytical skills, and enrollment in a graduate program. Familiarity with educational technology platforms, data analysis tools, or laboratory equipment (depending on the discipline) is often required. Excellent communication, time management, and teamwork skills help you effectively support faculty and collaborate with students. These skills are vital for balancing multiple responsibilities while contributing to academic and research excellence.

What are some common challenges graduate assistants face when balancing academic work with assistantship responsibilities?

Graduate Assistants often juggle coursework, research, and their assistantship duties, which can include teaching, grading, or administrative tasks. Time management is a frequent challenge, as deadlines for academic work and assistantship responsibilities can sometimes overlap. Setting clear expectations with supervisors, prioritizing tasks, and using organizational tools can help maintain a healthy balance. Open communication with faculty and peers also plays a crucial role in managing workload and reducing stress.

What is the difference between Graduate Assistant vs Research Assistant?

AspectGraduate AssistantResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsEnrolled graduate student, often with a relevant degreeUndergraduate or graduate student, sometimes with specific research experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic settings, assisting in teaching or administrative tasksResearch labs, projects, or fieldwork within academic or research institutions
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, colleges, academic departmentsResearch institutions, universities, government agencies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles, responsibilities, and qualificationsClarifying research duties and experience needed

While both roles support academic and research activities, a Graduate Assistant typically assists with teaching or administrative tasks while pursuing a graduate degree. A Research Assistant focuses primarily on conducting research projects, often requiring specific research skills. The roles often overlap in academic settings, but their main focus and responsibilities differ.

How much money do graduate assistants make?

Graduate assistants typically earn between $10 and $20 per hour, with annual stipends ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 depending on the institution, field, and whether they are teaching or research assistants. Compensation often includes tuition waivers and benefits, and hours usually range from 10 to 20 per week during the academic year.

Is being a graduate assistant worth it?

A graduate assistant position provides students with work experience, often involving research, teaching, or administrative tasks, while offering a stipend or tuition waiver. It can enhance skills, build professional networks, and support academic progress, making it a valuable opportunity for many graduate students. However, the workload and time commitment should be considered in relation to academic goals.

What are graduate assistant jobs?

Graduate assistant jobs are positions typically held by graduate students that involve assisting faculty or staff with teaching, research, or administrative tasks. These roles often provide a stipend or tuition waiver and require skills relevant to the academic department or field of study.

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate jobs in Fairfield, CT?

The most popular types of Graduate jobs in Fairfield, CT are:

What job categories do people searching Graduate Assistant jobs in Fairfield, CT look for?

The top searched job categories for Graduate Assistant jobs in Fairfield, CT are:

What cities near Fairfield, CT are hiring for Graduate Assistant jobs?

Cities near Fairfield, CT with the most Graduate Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Graduate Assistant job openings in Fairfield, CT as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, and 40% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $41,470 per year, or $19.9 per hour.

Assistant Merchant

MillerKnoll

Stamford, CT • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


MillerKnoll rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 59 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 51 rated furniture manufacturers


Job description

Why join us?
At Design Within Reach, home comes first. We believe in creating and sourcing pieces that move with you and are meant to be enjoyed over a lifetime - from home to home, generation to generation. For us, that means exceptionally crafted, built-to-last, and beautifully designed furnishings.
Our purpose is design for the good of humankind. It's the ideal we strive toward each day in everything we do. Being a part of Design Within Reach means being a part of something larger than your work team, or even your brand. We are redefining modern for the 21st century. And our success allows Design Within Reach to support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone.
About this opportunity:
We are hiring an Assistant Merchant to join our Merchandising team. As an Assistant Merchant, you'll support our Merchandise team in the curation of a product assortment that represents the tenets of our brand while increasing sales and achieving profit goals. As an Assistant Merchant, you will report to the Senior Merchant for your assigned category.
The role of the Assistant Merchant is to support the Senior Merchant in all aspects of product procurement, launch, and maintenance.
What you'll do:
  • Help manage vendor relationships acting as a primary contact for vendors and designers
  • Monitor Design Within Reach milestone dates and maintain the product pipeline calendar to ensure all deadlines are met, including SKU builds, product testing and compliance requirements, milestone meetings, and photo sample delivery.
  • Proof catalogs, website content, and advertising materials for accuracy, ensuring consistency in pricing, dimensions, and product specifications.
  • Review and troubleshoot product return claims, partnering with vendors to resolve issues and manage charge-back documentation.
  • Coordinate communication between vendors and the Product Support team to resolve client concerns, collect detailed product information, and obtain supporting materials as needed.
  • Organize communication between Vendor and Product Support team to resolve client concerns, gather product information, and procure supporting materials
  • Help with monthly or quarterly product trainings
  • Create sales reports for vendor meetings and internal reviews
  • Approve Finance costing discrepancies with key cross functional partners
  • Maintain awareness of the competitive landscape, conducting and sharing quarterly market and trend analysis with internal stakeholders.
  • Work closely with key cross-functional teams-including Digital, Marketing, Planning, Allocations, and Product Development/Sourcing-recognizing Merchandising as the central hub throughout the product pipeline.
  • Research, organize, and manage special projects as assigned, providing analytical and operational support to senior team members.

Job Requirements:
  • Strong passion for modern design, furniture, and the home furnishings industry, with an interest in product storytelling and brand integrity
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly across internal teams and external partners
  • Demonstrated organizational and project management skills, with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset
  • High attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and shifting priorities
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment, take initiative, and effectively manage up in a fast paced environment, prioritization is key!
  • Technically proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
  • Dependable, punctual, and accountable, with a strong sense of ownership over responsibilities
  • 1+ years of experience in merchandising, planning, or a related role within the design, retail, or home products industry

Who We Hire?
Simply put, we hire qualified applicants representing a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. Design Within Reach is comprised of people of all abilities, gender identities and expressions, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, veterans from every branch of military service, and more. Here, you can bring your whole self to work. We're committed to equal opportunity employment, including veterans and people with disabilities.
This organization participates in E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification. In general, MillerKnoll positions are closed within 45 days and are open for applications for a minimum of 5 days. We encourage our prospective candidates to submit their application(s) expediently so as not to miss out on our opportunities. We frequently post new opportunities and encourage prospective candidates to check back often for new postings.
MillerKnoll complies with applicable disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact MillerKnoll Talent Acquisition at careers_help@millerknoll.com.

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