Are you looking for a new job?
Paying for college can be tough. There are so many options, and it’s difficult to know where to start. That’s why we created this list of 13 jobs for college students.
We looked at factors like hours, pay, flexibility, and skills required to rank these jobs from best to worst. You’ll find everything from tutoring other students on campus or working as an Uber driver off-campus during your downtime between classes. No matter what kind of work you’re interested in doing, there’s something here for everyone!
Keep reading for more.
What Makes Good Jobs for College Students?
Being a college student is tough, and finding the time to work can be even harder. Even if you have a student loan, it’s difficult.
If you’re already balancing classes with extracurriculars, working another job on top of everything else might not seem like an option. But it’s important to remember that having a side hustle can help improve your finances now as well as prepare you for the future.
An ideal job for a student would allow you to earn money quickly and easily while providing enough flexibility so that you can handle your studies. It should be fairly easy to get into, making it simple to schedule around classes and other responsibilities.
You also need access to required skills or training that will not take too long or cost too much for a student.
What Are the Benefits of Working During College?
There are many benefits to working during college.
Having a side hustle can help you earn money for school expenses, or even to eventually pay your way through grad school. The idea of starting your own business is also very attractive to some students. Working now will allow you to acquire new skills that you can use later in different career paths.
You’ll also be able to practice skills that are necessary for the working environment, like time management and collaborating with others. That can help you in your studies by showing employers your strong work ethic right out of the gate. And best of all, it helps you pay off college tuition.
But you also have to be careful.
It can be really easy to fall into the trap of working too much or not enough. If you work too many hours, your grades could suffer and you’ll feel like you don’t have enough time for anything else.
Working less than 20 hours per week might limit how much money you can earn, making it harder to pay for your daily expenses.
Being able to balance your studies with a part-time job will let you experience the best of both worlds by giving you more opportunities to save money or earn extra spending cash.
Other problems can come up if you don’t work enough hours, like applying for scholarships or even landing an internship (that you might need before graduation).
What Are Some Good College Student Jobs to Have?
When you’re working while in college, you can make a lot of money.
Here are a few of the best jobs for college students, ranging from tutoring to freelance writing and everything in between:
13. Cashier
Hours per week: 22
Pay: $19,000/year
Since you’ll always be around food whenever you work as a cashier, your immune system must be up to the task of resisting germs at work.
Cashiers at stores require above-average hand-eye coordination because much of the job involves inputting numbers using a calculator or computer. If you’re looking for a job that will keep your schedule free, don’t include this one on the list. Most cashiers work part-time, so there are fewer hours available to go around.
However, if you don’t have much time between classes and are good at multi-tasking, this could be the right job for you. The downside is that you’re not going to get rich working as a cashier.
12. Waitress or Waiter
Hours per week: 26
Pay: $26,000/year
If you’re looking to make a little money on the side while also flexing your people skills, consider working as a waitress or waiter.
This is another part-time gig with many available hours. Although you’ll be on your feet the whole time, the pay is more than average for a serving job and there are plenty of opportunities to earn a decent chunk of change in tips if your service skills are strong.
This is great for students because you’ll always be around food all the time, so you won’t have to deal with a lot of lunchtime rushes. The downside is that many restaurants require a working knowledge of local regulations, including health laws and food handling practices.
11. Bartender
Hours per week: 27
Pay: $26,000/year
Another great position where your tips are your pay, working as a bartender is great for students because it allows you to work flexible hours.
You can even find one-time gigs for events on campus at places like the hockey rink or theatre department. This job also requires good service skills but teaches people interested in hospitality how to mix drinks properly. If you’re a student who likes to party, this is a great choice for you.
The downside is that you’ll be near alcohol all the time, which can be dangerous for those who are underage.
10. Event Staffing
Hours per week: 22
Pay: $20,000/year
Event staffers do everything from ticket taking and ushering to set up and tear down at concerts and sporting events.
They also handle administrative work like seating charts and name tags. If you’re involved in the school theatre, dance department, or any other sports team, this is the perfect job for you. The pay isn’t great, but it’s still above average and your other responsibilities can earn you some extra cash in tips or commissions.
The main downside is that you’ll need to have a flexible schedule because event staff members often work weekends and other evenings.
9. Personal Trainer
Hours per week: 39-45
Pay: $39,000/year
Working as a personal trainer requires some education and training, but that’s usually covered by employers or schools who will help students get their certification.
Personal trainers need good fitness skills to coach clients through workouts, but it can also be a great job for people who need flexibility. You’ll have the opportunity to work with a variety of people from students to seniors, and you might even get some personal time back if your client is working out at home.
The downside is that you’ll be on your feet all day, so if you have trouble with that, look into another part-time job.
8. Photographer
Hours per week: 25
Pay: $25,000/year
Most students are familiar with wedding photographers, but there are all kinds of photography jobs available at different levels.
You can find gigs as an amateur photographer shooting sporting events or sell your skills as a social media influencer for small businesses. No matter what the job is, if you love taking pictures and have a nice camera, there’s probably a way to earn money with it.
The downside of this job is that it requires you to have a nice camera, so if yours isn’t too great, invest in one before your first photoshoot.
7. Event Photographer
Hours per week: 25
Pay: $25,000/year
Even more exciting than shooting weddings is photographing your favorite musicians live in concert.
This is a great way to get paid to see all of your favorite bands and listen to their new albums before anyone else. Most concert photographers work through agencies that specialize in this kind of work. If you’re interested, search for event photography jobs on Craiglist or contact some small local businesses that may give you a chance if they like your work.
The downside of this job is that you need a nice DSLR camera, so if you’re not already invested in one, look into borrowing or renting before taking the job.
6. Lifeguard
Hours per week: 22
Pay: $20,000/year
Although you can technically be a lifeguard for any pool time, summer is the best season to get this job because there are more opportunities available.
You’ll spend your shift on your feet watching for dangerous situations and keeping pool patrons safe while they swim. Most lifeguards work part-time and earn a little extra cash by working nights or weekends.
The downside is that it requires constant vigilance, so if you suffer from anxiety or don’t like being around lots of people, look for another part-time job.
5. Bookstore Clerk
Hours per week: 20
Pay: $15,000/year
Most college students have been bookstore clerks at some point, but if you’re still looking for a job, this is your chance to cash in.
A lot of college bookstores hire students to work flexible hours while classes are in session. If you’re good with customers, you can make great tips by selling back textbooks at the end of the semester or helping shoppers find what they need.
The downside of this job is that it requires constant attention, so if you struggle to focus on busy days or can’t stand working around people all the time, you might be better off with another part-time gig.
4. Dog Walker
Hours per week: 25
Pay: $25,000/year
If you have a dog or enjoy being around them, this is the perfect side hustle.
Dog walkers earn extra money by taking their furry friends for walks in their neighborhood and playing with them when they get back home. What could be better than getting paid to hang out with your buddies?
The downside of this job is that you have to get up early, so if you don’t mind staying up late or love mornings, it might work for you.
3. Personal Assistant
Hours per week: 25
Pay: $25,000/year
This is another job where your school activities can help you get ahead.
If you have an internship or get involved in any kind of organization on campus, they might need a student assistant to help with administrative work. This could be anything from data entry for new memberships to writing thank you notes after an event. If you’re the kind of person who appreciates a good work/life balance, this is a great job to invest some extra hours in.
The downside of this job is that it requires a lot of organization and communication, so if you’re bad at either one, don’t bother.
2. Academic Tutor
Hours per week: 25
Pay: $25,000/year
If helping other people understand the material they don’t get in class is your thing, you should look into tutoring.
As an academic tutor, you’ll work one-on-one with students who need extra help or want to make their grades better. Most tutors work full-time during the school year and part-time in the summer when there are fewer students around.
The downside to this job is that it requires patience and a willingness to handle difficult conversations, so if you don’t enjoy helping people or can’t stand being patient with them, think about another part-time gig.
1. Personal Shopper
Hours per week: 25
Pay: $25,000/year
Working as a personal shopper sounds fancy, but it’s just shopping for other people.
For this job, you’ll have to have a good sense of style and be willing to shop for your friends or family members when they can’t do it themselves. If you love clothes and think you know enough about fashion to shop for others, there are a lot of places you can apply to help out your friends.
The downside of this job is that it requires a lot of focus and attention to detail, so if you struggle in these areas, don’t bother.
How to Pick the Right Job During College
Before starting a part-time gig, ask yourself these questions:
What do I enjoy doing? Are there things in my life that would make it very difficult to fit a job in? How much time can I devote to my side hustle? Do I prefer working alone or with other people?
If you’re still not sure, read over the list of part-time jobs and see what kind of schedule they recommend. You should never fit a job into your life if it means that you won’t have enough time for your good grades, friends, family, or hobbies.
Find Your Perfect Side Hustle Today
Now you know everything about finding the perfect jobs for college students.
Start applying today and make some extra cash on the side! There are tons of benefits, especially if you take care of yourself and put your studies first.
For more money-making tips, check out our Cottage Life section.