Working part-time is part of the college experience. Depending on what you do, you can make between several hundred to several thousand dollars. For many students, part-time jobs offer a much needed monthly stipend to buy books, for transportation, and for compensating for rent when living off campus. For others, part-time jobs are necessary to pay tuition.
Most universities offer on-campus part-time jobs. However, these jobs are few and the demand is immense. If you plan on finding work, it will be necessary to look outside the campus too. You might have to travel a bit, but if the money is good, then it will be worth it.
If you are thinking about making some cash while studying for your degree, here is a list of the best part-time jobs for college students:
1. Freelance Writer
If you have decent writing skills, you can work as a freelancer for magazines, blogs, and digital marketing campaigns. Pay will vary depending on the type of writing you do and the employer. As the writer, you will have to produce written content as specified by the employer. This is a good job you can do without traveling that will also complement your studies. As writers, the more experience you have, the more money you will be able to earn in the future doing similar jobs.
2. Social Media Assistant
This is a rather easy job to find where college students are actually preferred by employees. Job duties will entail updating and managing social media channels for marketing purposes. Some companies expect social media assistants to help with digital content production as well. If you like writing and communications, this will be a job title that will help you find a proper job in the future. For students who hope to work in sales or marketing in the future, a part-time job like this would be just what’s necessary for gaining professional experience.
3. Non-Profit Charity Fundraiser
This is actually one of the best paid part-time jobs a college student can have, according to Business Insider. You can get paid up to $30 an hour. What a charity fundraiser does is network and advocate to raise money for the causes the charity is supporting. This is an excellent job for communication, politics, public relations, or similar majors. It’s definitely a part-time job you can put on a resume without feeling shame.
4. Cafeteria Worker
This is a widely sought-after part-time job on campuses. Work is on campus, so you don’t have to travel far. Also, the work schedule is flexible. The boss will definitely understand if you need time off for finals week. Students are also paid minimum wage in the state or in some cases even more. If you can find a 20 hour work week, you will be able to earn thousands of dollars per semester. While the money and the hours can be good, being a cafeteria worker is a tough and dirty job. You will have to put up with a lot, and later maybe even use it in a graduate school application.
5. Grant Analyst
This is a skilled job that is best suited for seniors and graduate students. Grant analysts review and sometimes approve paperwork submitted for obtaining grants and funding. The part-timer will be expected to help out with these analyses. Employers typically seek experienced part-timers, and those majoring in fields like finance will definitely be preferred.
6. Online Researcher
This is an easy and educational part-time job that can earn up to $40 an hour. Online researchers are sought after by business and other professionals who seek factual information that they are too lazy to Google. Part-timers will be expected to dig beyond Google however and present answers in an easily understandable and relevant manner. You may be required show top-notch research skills for seeking out high-quality content. Some may be required to be experts in a certain area. It’s best if you try to do research within the field of your major.
7. Content Editor
This is the idea job for English or journalism majors. Content editors go through loads of articles and check them for grammar, spelling, and style problems. The job is easy enough if you know how to use a style guide properly. However, pay per article is low, so you will have to go through high volumes of articles to earn a decent monthly pay. Still, the perks are many. No traveling is needed and you can work from your dorm room. Plus, for English and journalism majors a job like this would provide illuminating experiences that will help future careers.
8. Assistant Librarian
If you want to make money at a pleasant work environment, then there’s nothing better than working part-time at the school library. You can also try looking for positions at nearby community or public school libraries. As an assistant librarian, you will be expected to help out keeping shelves in order, updating digital databases, assist visitors, and help at the checkout desk. It’s largely a stress-free job. When work slows down, you will have plenty of time to get homework done too.
9. Night Auditor
This is a skilled job best suited for math, computer, finance, or accounting majors. Night auditors pull overnight shifts at places like hotels to assist with paperwork and bookkeeping. There will be a lot of number crunching. Pay is relatively good. Working night shifts will not disturb your class timetable either. Plus, this job will look wonderful on a resume.
10. Photographer
If you have a DSLR camera and an eye for capturing scenes and portraits, you can earn a decent living as a part-time student photographer. Campuses and school newspapers often employ student photographers. If there are events on campus, there could be work. Off campus, there will be businesses, local papers, photography studios and the like willing to employ you. If you like photography as a hobby, there’s no better way to get practice.
11. Lifeguard
You need to be a good swimmer, undergo training and become certified to become a lifeguard. Once you go through this, the work can be rewarding financially and emotionally. Lifeguard jobs are aplenty during the warmer seasons, and the supply is low. This job is well paid and is a cool thing to list on a resume.
It’s best to pick a part-time job based on your resume and with future career ambitions in mind. Remember, you are not just working for money. Gain professional experience so you will be highly employable by the time you graduate.