Paying for college can be expensive and without funding, it might seem impossible. But there’s another option for securing your education. One of those ways is working in your free time to get some extra cash for school.
Summer is one of the best times to find a job since most students take off for summer break. It’s also the time of year where there are more job options thanks to the weather (depending on location). Take advantage of the downtime and get ahead on your school expenses.
Keep reading this guide for the best summer jobs for college students.
Nanny
One thing that will always be in demand is busy parents that need help with caring for their little ones. If you love children and have some extra hours this summer, consider looking into nanny jobs.
Being a nanny will usually involve you doing things like helping to look after the children, feeding them, playing with them, etc. You may also be able to get extra pay if you add in assisting with housework. Check out sites like care.com that aim to connect caring, trustworthy nannies with families in need of help.
Lifeguard
Depending on where you live, the weather has shifted and it’s hot and humid. People want to get back into pools and that’s where the opportunity comes in for you. Becoming a lifeguard is a great way to use your swimming skills to help others and make extra money for schools.
Lifeguards are perfect jobs for college students because outdoor pools are seasonal. This means that they’ll probably hire you quicker and at the job ends after summer. So you know how long you need to work and the employer only expects this timeframe from you.
Working at a pool could be a fun time. Keep others safe and consider looking into lifeguard jobs.
Sales Rep
Companies are always looking for people to sell their products and services. If you’re working during the summer and have natural sales skills, consider finding a sales rep position. These jobs are fairly low entry and you can be taught the skill of selling through training.
Sales rep positions can be very lucrative too if you put in the work. A lot of places will offer base pay plus commission. The average sales rep salary in the US is around $65,000 per year with average cash bonuses being around $25,000 per year.
Go into a sales rep job with a winner’s mindset and you could come out with some big bucks for tuition. The more you sell, the higher your commission will be.
Amusement Park Attendant
Looking for some fun summer work for college students? Consider heading down to the nearest amusement park and filling out an application.
Amusement parks are always looking for more staff around their peak seasons. Tons of people swarm in on their own summer break vacations. This is your chance to work at a fun place and get paid.
Another great thing about amusement parks is that there are dozens of positions to apply for. If you have a particular skill (or just want to lay low) there’s probably something for you. Here are some of the things you can get hired for at a theme park:
- Concession staff
- Lifeguard
- Cook
- Ride technician
- Costume character
- Janitorial staff
- Game attendant
- Admissions clerk
- Park manager
- Security officer
There are plenty more jobs where that came from. If there aren’t any amusement parks close enough to you, also consider checking your city for fun outdoor pop-up activities that they may need staffing for in the summer.
Pet Sitter or Dog Walker
Animal lovers are always willing to dish out big bucks to make sure their pets are well taken care of. Are you good with animals? If so, you should take the opportunity to spend your summer with them while making money.
When families go on vacation, they often need people to look after their fur babies. These tasks typically include making sure the animal(s) gets food, goes for a walk (if needed), and has some company. Some people will pay you to look after their homes and their pets while they’re away.
If you love dogs specifically, you should also consider being a dog walker. You can find multiple people who need to take their dogs out for a walk but don’t have the time. Then you simply offer to walk their dogs a few times a day or throughout the week. A few trips around the park could equal a paycheck for you.
Waitress/Food Server
Waitressing is one of the best summer jobs for college students for many reasons. Firstly, you can typically find somewhere to hire you with little to no experience. If you’re a fast learner, you can be trained on the spot and get accustomed to the job quickly.
You can also make really good money without working too many shifts. One of the reasons for this is tips. Racking up enough tips in a night often pays a few bills for most people.
There’s also flexibility in work shifts. So it would probably be possible to keep your job throughout the school year or come back next summer. If you have great people skills and work well in fast-paced environments then being a food server is a great choice.
Camp Counselor
Summer camps are open, filled with attendees, and need extra help to keep programs running smoothly. Similar to nannying and amusement parks, summer camps are good choices for people who are looking for fun jobs and enjoy children.
Working as a camp counselor is also an amazing role for developing desirable skills. For instance, you’ll oversee youth so this can help shape your leadership and management skills. You’ll also need to be a decision-maker and role model.
Camp counselors get a chance to do creative, meaningful work with kids. Find summer programs focused on your interests and skillsets like STEM or athletic camps. The average US hourly rate is $10.43 but some states pay camp counselors up to $25/hour.
Retail Clerk
Working in retail is a great low entry-level way to make extra money during summer break. Most stores hire fairly quickly when they’re understaffed. Check out some of the businesses around you are hiring.
You’ll have luck with most department stores, such as Macy’s. Also, consider niche stores like sports, jewelry, or women’s lingerie. The best thing to do is visit a closeby mall to apply to multiple places at once.
Freelancer
The internet has forged a new path of jobs for college students. Tons of people are starting side hustles or even working full-time as freelancers. This is a great option for students because the entry is low and you can leverage a skill that you already have.
Getting into freelancing just takes a little bit of determination and work to get the message out to others. Start with brainstorming what you’re already good at.
Do you have graphic design skills? Are you a good writer? Do you have a natural knack for organization and management?
If so, you’ve already got a ticket into the world of freelancing. The next thing you need to do is decide which services you’ll offer and who you’ll offer them to. For instance, if you have videographer skills you could go to local coffee shops and provide them with videos to promote their shops.
Freelancing gives you flexibility in your schedule and allows you to set your pay rate. Figure out which skills you want to make money from and start promoting yourself. Check out different pricing models for freelancers and what someone with your same skill level would charge.
Remember as a freelancer you’re a contractor so you’ll be responsible for getting clients. Start asking family and friends if they know anyone who needs help with what you offer. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there─ you never know who needs the help!
Blogger/Vlogger
Here’s another opportunity that the digital world has created that students who are working during the summer should consider. If you love to write, create fun videos, and share your experiences then blogging or vlogging might be great for you.
Bloggers and vloggers have a variety of options when it comes to making money for school. Here are a few different ways to consider:
- Affiliate marketing
- Selling digital products
- Brand partnerships
- Running Google ads
It would usually take some time to build up a following. But with the power of social media, you can push traffic to your blog or vlog much quicker. Choose a domain and hosting platform to start a blog or create a vlog via YouTube today.
Housekeeper
Cleaning is one in-demand service that will never go away. Most busy adults need extra help keeping their homes clean when they don’t have time. This is your chance to make some extra cash to help pay tuition.
Invest in some cleaning supplies and basic equipment to get started. Consider signing up for a platform that allows you to offer cleaning services such as Thumbtack or advertise on Facebook marketplace. You can also target businesses that need to keep up with stricter cleaning requirements due to the pandemic.
Lyft or Uber Driver
Making money with your phone has never been this easy. Do you have a vehicle and a valid driver’s license? If you answered, you can sign up to become a driver for Lyft or Uber (or both).
This is another great summer job that allows you to make your work schedule flexible. Aim to get 5-star reviews from riders and take rides during peak hours to increase your earnings.
Food Delivery Driver
If you would prefer to not take riders, consider signing up for a delivery app like UberEats or DoorDash. You’ll need a vehicle and a valid driver’s license for these apps as well. The good news is some apps will allow you to rent a vehicle from them.
Deliver top service and earn extra money through high ratings and good tips. You can also head down to your local pizza shop or another restaurant to see if they’re hiring delivery drivers.
Barista
Have you spent a good amount of time in Starbucks during your college years? Are you a pro at making a delicious latte or the perfect macchiato? Well, becoming a barista might be right up your alley.
Local coffee shops are some of the busiest spots for people to hang out. This means that they are probably in need of more help around peak seasons. If you like chilling in cafes and whipping up frothy drinks then ask your local shops if they’re hiring or need extra assistance.
Tutor
Some students still take classes during their summer breaks. Others use that time to get better with their studies. Both of these present great opportunities for you to become a tutor.
If you’re good at a particular subject then you may be able to make some extra money. Ask your friends if they know anyone who needs help with their studies. You can also post flyers around the campus to advertise your tutoring services.
Another route to earning cash by helping people with their schooling is by becoming an online tutor. There are plenty of sites that look for language tutors to help people advance. You could also check out parents who may need help with helping their grade-school-aged children improve in school.
Consider These Ideas for Best Summer Jobs for College Students
Taking some time off during the summer gives students a chance to extra money for tuition. Nowadays you can even earn a check directly from your smartphone.
If you’re looking for a job during summer break consider one of these best summer jobs for college students. For more tips on how to pay your college tuition, check out this blog on our site.