If you’re a college student, you might be thinking of ways to earn money to fund your education or to pay for your living expenses. Fortunately, you don’t need to wait until you get your diploma to start earning cash.
While working in retail or fast food restaurants are popular choices, these are not your only options. Here are some great temp jobs for college students that will help pad your wallet without cramping your student lifestyle:
- Academic Tutor
Tutoring is an excellent option if you excel in certain subjects. After you set an hourly rate, start looking for students in your university who are struggling with the subjects you are good at. You can meet them once or twice a week until the student has reached their performance goals.
If you would prefer not to tutor people your age, you can help high school students who are preparing for the SAT or ACT. This is an excellent idea, especially if you did well on your exams and can leverage your smarts to help students gain subject matter expertise on all possible sections of the exams.
You can also check out non-profit organizations with an after-school program, or check out online tutoring websites and apps.
- Office Assistant
Office assistants are responsible for the day-to-day tasks of a business or an organization. These include responding to phone calls and emails, scheduling appointments, maintaining spreadsheets, and providing support to other personnel when needed.
Visit the departments on your campus to find out if they have any job openings. Although this may not be an exciting job, especially if you have no plans to pursue a career in administrative work, you’ll learn some valuable organizational skills that will serve you well later on in life.
- Paid Internships
Not too long ago, most internships were unpaid. However, more and more companies are launching paid internships to comply with the recent changes in labor laws and regulations.
Paid internships represent an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about your future career path while also earning some money. You can develop valuable skills that will be useful when you enter your field of choice once you graduate. You can also expand your network when you meet and make connections with employers and future colleagues.
If you are interested in a paid internship, the best way to know about your options is to consult your advisor or to check out the university’s job boards. You may also want to reach out to companies that you are interested in personally.
- Barista
Most college students sport the same look inside school premises: a textbook in one hand and a coffee cup in the other. Coffee gives you the energy boost you need to stay up for late-night study sessions or to make it through that dreaded 8 AM class.
The need for caffeine is why most college towns are packed with so many coffee shops, including both chain stores and independent cafés. Being a barista is an excellent option since you’ll be able to find a job around campus easily.
It’s also a great opportunity to meet other students, get to know the locals, and learn how to use a point of sale. Coffee shops and cafes use POS systems like Harbortouch every day, so it’s a good idea to get up to speed on the technology so you can take customer’s orders.
Another option to check out work availability in the restaurant or café industry are apps like shift-pixy, where you can find temp work quickly. You get connected to businesses and organizations that are looking for temp workers with the right skills and qualifications. This is a great way to balance your availability with your income needs.
- Freelance Writer or Editor
If you have a love for the written word, you can easily find opportunities online to write or edit remotely. As a freelance writer or editor, you have the flexibility to complete assignments whenever your schedule permits it.
There are numerous websites dedicated to freelance writing and editing work. Registration is typically free. An important thing to remember is that the competition on these platforms can be quite stiff, especially when you are just starting. Just make sure to provide high-quality work continuously, and you’ll be earning enough in no time.
Conclusion
As a college student, it can be tough to try to fit a job into your demanding schedule. With class work, clubs, or even Greek life obligations, you want to secure a job that can work with your lifestyle.
When trying to find a temporary job that is right for you, there are numerous factors to consider. However, the most crucial one to keep in mind is that the position should offer flexible hours. While earning money is always a good thing, you also want to remember that you are in college to get an education.
