By Jon Fortenbury,
When it comes to good jobs, college students are sometimes stuck in the middle.
While they’re not quite qualified for many jobs that require a
degree, students are typically smart enough to snag a number of other
excellent positions. But given busy school schedules, the jobs must be
flexible and part-time. That limits options. Thankfully, there are a
number of great part-time, flexible gigs out there.
Here are some ideas for college students looking to work while at school.
1. Make others smart: Some colleges and universities
have tutoring centers where students can find work as tutors. This not
only looks good on a résumé, since you get to show expertise in a
subject, but it’s also flexible and may offer a good hourly wage. If you
don’t live near a campus and are an online student, look into tutoring
from home via Tutor.com. Another option, if you want to help high school students prepare for the SAT, is tutoring for Kaplan.
2. Keep an eye on kids: Babysitting or nannying can
be great for college students, since the hours can be flexible and the
pay can be decent. Look into signing up on Care.com,
a website where parents can look for babysitters. Or just ask around
school. Professors and grad students are prime candidates for
babysitting help.
3. Give them a jolt: Working at a coffee shop as a
barista can actually be fun. You get to become friends with the
regulars, enjoy a schedule that works around your classes and probably
score some free coffee. Plus, if you work somewhere like Starbucks you
may qualify for benefits as a part-time employee. Plus, you never know
who you’ll meet in a coffee shop: perhaps someone who will hire you
after college.
4. Freelance writer: Got a knack for writing? Then
get paid to do it. You can either run your own blog, (using a
pay-per-click platform like Google AdSense, which pays when people click
on advertisements) or freelance for a company writing articles, press
releases, blogs or other copy. For the latter, you may find gigs at
networking events, on Craigslist or on freelance job sites. The pay
varies, but you often work whenever you want. This option could be
perfect for journalism and English majors looking to gain relevant
experience.
5. Know it all: Working for ChaCha,
a company that gives real-time answers to questions people text or ask
online, could be an interesting student gig. You can either become a
guide, earning between 1 and 20 cents per answered question, or a
transcriber (3 cents per task), who interprets muffled questions or
transcribes phone questions into text. Questions can range from the
practical to the absurd. The money can add up fast and you work whenever
you want. In other words, it’s a viable job for a college student.
6. Table service: Don’t let the movie “Waiting”
dissuade you: Waiting tables can be an excellent job that works around
your school schedule. Plus, don’t forget about the tips. Some waiters
can really rake in the dough, which could come in handy if you want to
pay off some of those student loans you’re taking out before you
graduate. To excel in this role, you need to have excellent customer
service skills and be quick on your feet.
7. Campus tour guide: If you’re an on-campus student, look into becoming a tour guide. According to U.S. News & World Report,
“By showing prospective students, their families and alumni around
university grounds, you’ll no doubt improve your speaking and
presentation skills.” Build your résumé, build some skills and enjoy a
fun, flexible job. Plus, you get to learn lots of cool facts about your
school.
There are several fields that have great positions for college
students. If you choose to work while in school, then landing one of
these gigs can enhance your college experience. Plus, your wallet surely
won’t regret it.