When you’re trying to lower student debt burden during college, cutting costs a great start(yes, college is still worth it!). Buying used textbooks, preparing your own meals, and even living at home, if possible, can all help you put more money towards paying down your debt. Unfortunately, though, you can only reduce expenses so much. That’s where jobs for college students come in to help.
Working in College Isn’t Always Easy
Your college schedule is hectic and unpredictable, and it likely changes drastically with each new term. You need time to attend classes and lectures at their specified times, and you also need plenty of study time, which may be early in the morning or late into the night. Sometimes, you need to meet with classmates at the library or café. With all of these variables, traditional, rigidly-scheduled jobs off campus don’t work well for most college students.
Gigs and Side Jobs
Luckily, there are many nontraditional jobs for college students that don’t involve a fixed schedule. Side gigs let you choose when and how much you work. They’re often scalable, which means you can start out by working two hours a week and scale up to 25. When school is out on break, you can scale up to full-time work; then when class starts back up, you can scale back to part-time.
Side gigs are a great option for students: they help you put money into your bank account, and towards your debt repayments, without committing to the strict schedule and demands of a traditional college job.
Ridesharing and Delivery
If you have a car and a license to drive it, you’re already well on your way towards earning money with ridesharing or delivery service. While the following services aren’t available in every city, they’re worth checking out if you live in a fairly populous area and you want to earn some extra cash.
Lyft – If you’re a good driver, you can make good money with Lyft while you’re in school, using your own personal car. The Lyft App will match you with passengers and allow them to pay you—and even tip you—instantly. Lyft drivers can make up to $35 an hour.
Uber – Like Lyft, Uber is a great money-making alternative for students with a good car and good sense of direction. The Uber App pairs you with passengers whenever you’re ready to work and handles all transactions virtually.
Turo – Many college students own a car that rarely gets used. College campuses are pedestrian-friendly, so if you own a car, chances are you don’t need it very often. With Turo, you can turn your car’s idle time into cash. Turo lets you rent out your car at whatever price you choose, whenever you want. With Turo’s $1 million liability policy for every rental, you’re even covered for damage or theft.
PostMates – PostMates couriers can make up to $25 an hour using their own car, scooter, bike, or even just their own two feet. As a PostMates deliverer, you’re on call to deliver everything from food to dry cleaning whenever you’re available.
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House Sharing
If you’re one of the lucky few college students with room to spare, why not put that space to use with a house sharing service? If you don’t mind hosting strangers in your home from time to time, or you happen to travel on occasion, leaving your home unoccupied, you can turn your unused space into a hotel for profit.
Airbnb – Airbnb is the best-known home sharing service, and it’s available to anyone with internet access. It’s easy to list your space for free on Airbnb and turn your home into a bed and breakfast.
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Freelancing
If you have a special skill, you can put it to use as a freelancer. Freelancing jobs for college students include everything from voice acting to editing essays, and it can all be done in your own free time. The easiest way to become a freelancer and market your skills through an online freelancer platform.
Fiverr – With Fiverr, you can advertise and sell your unique skill set, whether it be graphic design, voice over talent, SEO writing, or all of the above. Don’t let the site’s name fool you: you can market your services at prices anywhere between $5 and $10,000 using the Fiverr platform.
Upwork – Like Fiverr, Upwork lets freelancers market themselves and connect securely with clients who are seeking the services they provide. If you have a talent for anything from website design to customer service, you can use Upwork to reach out to clients across the country, and the world, and work with them remotely.
Lending a Hand
Many side gigs involve a little bit of elbow grease. If you have spare time, and you’re physically fit enough to help someone move, fix up the house, or complete chores, these gigs might be the perfect way for you to earn some money.
Handy – If you have experience with fixing things or cleaning, you can make up to $45 an hour working with Handy. Handy helps skilled workers find customers who need them in their local areas. You can use Handy to complete as many gigs as you want, on your own schedule. All payments are made to you from Handy.
TaskRabbit – TaskRabbit connects customers with a wide variety of different tasks with “Taskers” who are willing to complete them, for a fee. Tasks include everything from picking up groceries, moving a mattress, watering the lawn, and cleaning the house. All payments are agreed upon and completed via TaskRabbit’s online system.
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Tutoring Jobs for College Students
If you’re doing well in your studies, or you’re an expert in a certain field, tutoring can be a perfect way to earn money to put towards your college debt.
Tutoring on Campus
The first place to check if you’re interested in obtaining a tutoring job is your college campus. Tutoring may or may not be included in your work-study options if you qualified on your FAFSA, but either way, it’s worth talking to your professors about tutoring opportunities. You may also consider posting fliers at your school advertising your services.
Tutoring Using Online Resources
If you don’t find any tutoring opportunities at your school, you may be able to find work as a tutor using an online platform. Online tutoring platforms can match you with in-person tutoring clients, as well as students who would rather receive tutoring entirely online.
Wyzant – Wyzant helps skilled tutors connect with students in their local areas or connect for online tutoring sessions.
University Tutor – Like Wyzant, University Tutor will help match you and your expertise to the students in your city or region who need your help.
Campus Jobs for College Students
In addition to tutoring on campus, there are a variety of other jobs you might be able to score within walking distance of your classes.
Tour Guide
If you’re a sophomore, junior, or senior student, you probably know your way around campus pretty well. Why not put that knowledge to use? As a tour guide on campus, you’ll introduce prospective and new students and their families to everything your campus has to offer. You’ll offer friendly advice and answer any questions they have about the school. To get a job as a campus tour guide, talk to your school’s admissions office.
Teacher’s Assistant or Grader
College professors can often get overwhelmed with their more crowded classes and lectures. If you’ve taken a class and done well, you may be able to get a job as that teacher’s assistant or grader. Usually, speaking with the professor is a good place to start if you’re interested in this job.
Library or Bookstore
If there’s one thing college campuses have no shortage of, it’s books—and this creates a great job opportunity for students like you. Working in your school’s library as a monitor or book checker has the added benefit of lots of downtimes, during which you can get some additional studying done. Library jobs tend to go fast, though, so if there are no openings, check the bookstore, learning resource center, or printing center for openings there.
Tech Support and Administration Jobs
There’s a ton that goes on behind the scenes at your university, and they need lots of hands on deck to make sure everything runs smoothly. If you’re exceptionally organized, or you have experience in admin work, you may be able to land a part-time job in one of your college’s many departments (health services, resident services, Alumni affairs, et cetera). Or, if you’re better with computers and technology, you may be able to put those skills to work in tech support. Check with your school’s student employment office or computer support department to check for openings.
Working in College is Possible
When you think of jobs for college students, you might immediately think of things like waiting tables, working the espresso counter, or stocking shelves. As much as these jobs can help students with limited work experience put money in their wallets, for some students, they can also hinder performance in school. For many college students, side gigs, tutoring jobs, and jobs on campus like the ones above are the perfect solution to this problem.
