College should not be about making money, but with the cost of tuition rising as much as 10% a year, working while in school has become a necessity for many. I feel concerned that is why I have come here to help you out by providing you with the best jobs you can choose even as a college student.
Fortunately for you, though, there is a vast array of jobs that offer night and weekend hours to eligible candidates.
Because I feel that as a student you shouldn’t have to search far and wide for a decent wage, I’ve compiled a list of the best jobs for college students.
Every one of the following positions offers the support that students need to help keep them afloat through graduation day. Check it out!
1. Cafeteria Worker
You may look at the cafeteria as a place for hanging out with your friends, but you can also work there. Sure, it doesn’t belong to the most glamorous jobs and the pay is quite low, but it could help you earn money in the long term throughout the year.
And it’s on campus, so you don’t have to travel hours to work. Also, consider it as a springboard for another job in the hospitality industry.
Or, for example, if you study to become a psychologist, working in the cafeteria will allow you to meet and learn about people while serving them food.
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2. Campus Tour Guide
Had you visited campuses before you received your acceptance letter(s)? If so, you probably followed students around to learn about the schools. Are you perhaps a freshman or a sophomore?
Well, it doesn’t matter. You can express your interest in getting a campus tour guide job.
The annual budget of your school will probably determine how much money you can make per hour. And if you still have some free time besides your job on campus and your studies, why not start offering tours outside of school?
You can list your tours on platforms such as Pick Your Day, U2GUIDE, Vayable, and ToursByLocals, and tell stories about your city and its landmarks and cool places.
3. Bartender & Barista
If you’re interested in cocktails and coffee, you may check job ads to find bartender or barista jobs. Indeed, some companies don’t hire beginners but you may get lucky.
Huge chains (Dunkin’ Donuts, illy, 7-Eleven, etc.) are more likely to invest in your development as a barista or as a bartender.
Since you have to be over 21 to drink alcohol legally in the USA, you should apply for bartender jobs after your 21st birthday, and if you’re a night owl.
Early birds would enjoy pouring coffee in the early hours more than mixing cocktails late at night. Baristas and bartenders usually earn the minimum wage plus tips.
4. Administrative Assistant
Working as an Administrative Assistant is a great way to gain experience in the “real” world. Choose a company you’d like to work for after you graduate and get connected to the business.
You are likely to work with an older crowd of graduates here, offering a look into your potential career.
5. Marketing & Sales Intern
This is a great one to boost your resume and gain valuable professional skills. Plus you’ll make connections that will help you when you graduate.
Although you sacrifice a higher-paying position for experience, internships are an investment in your future.
6. Research Assistant
Gain experience in your field of interest by working as a Research Assistant for one of your professors.
Many paid positions will have a high wage. Another plus? Since the research is usually conducted on campus, these positions are very conveniently located.
7. Research Study Participant
Work on the other side of the research by participating in paid research studies. Although this is not an official position, these act as paid gigs that students can pick up based on their availability.
Check with your school’s Psych department to see what research studies are looking for participants. These are simple, non-committal, and flexible for your schedule.
8. Resident Advisor in the Dorms
This isn’t a paid position, but the chance to have free room & board during your college years will save you as much cash as you would make in a traditional part-time job.
You will get the chance to closely interact, mentor, and bond with hundreds of college students a year and give back to your university in a highly influential way.
9. Tutor
The next stop on our list of the best part-time jobs for college students is tutoring. We assume your school has a peer-to-peer tutoring program, but if not, you may find plenty of opportunities online.
Aside from your classmates, you may establish yourself as an online tutor offering lessons in music, math, biology, history, languages, statistics, marketing, etc. You name it.
You may start tutoring without any professional experience and certification, but you must be knowledgeable about the subject you’re planning to teach.
Tutors usually make $15-$35 per hour. Your level of experience and the type of subject will influence your hourly rates. Sometimes you will determine them, sometimes the platform.
10. Library Assistant
Library jobs are one of the most convenient jobs to have as a student because of their relatively high pay and on-campus location.
This position will give you plenty of customer service practice and the chance to interact with college students for most of your shift. Best of all, there is usually plenty of time to do your homework.
11. Dorm Receptionist/Security Monitor
This job is perfect for students who love to study late at night. Most dorm receptionist jobs begin after sunset and can go as late as 3 AM.
One of the biggest perks is that you are usually allowed to do homework during your shift.
Make money and get ahead in your studies, while simultaneously welcoming students into their homes. It’s a win-win-win situation.
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12. Brand Ambassador
Another exciting job for college students is being an ambassador for a brand. Any kind of brand.
You would attend events and talk to potential customers about the company, and also promote the brand online.
Plenty of companies reaches out to influencers and average (loyal) customers. Among them, you can find Nike, Oakley, Apple, Aspen, Skiing Company, DoorDash, Postmates, TaskRabbit, Airbnb, and Shipt.
Think about your interests and the brands you love, and then surf the Internet to see whether they’re currently looking for brand ambassadors. You would make $10-$27 per hour.
13. Campus Tour Guide
Are you undeniably passionate about your campus? Put it to good use as a paid campus tour guide.
This will give you public speaking practice, exercise, and a chance to convince prospective students to attend your university.
This job is simple and fun as long as you are prepared to be moving for the entirety of the tour.
14. Cafeteria Worker
Working in your university’s dining areas will require little to no experience and have higher pay than other restaurant jobs.
It may not be the most glamorous work, but it will earn you money and free meals, saving you a significant amount of food-prep time and money.
15. Driver & Carshare
From ridesharing to car-sharing to delivery drivers, there is no shortage of options in this category. Uber and Lyft are modern-day taxi services.
Tripda is an app that allows you to offer rides to people on trips that you are already taking. Getaround lets you rent out your car any day of the week.
You can also become a delivery driver for a local restaurant or find positions through Postmates, Doordash, Grubhub, Sprig…the list goes on.
16. Restaurant Worker
Fancy restaurants may look for experienced and skilled personnel, but not small local diners, fast food restaurants, and other low-key places.
Owners need help in both the kitchen (dishwasher or cook) and the dining area (host or waiter). Do some self-assessment and apply for a position that interests you.
Or the one that can challenge you and push you to develop new skills. On average, servers make $10.45 per hour plus tips.
They tend to get free meals but not always, sometimes the cost of those is deducted from their salaries.
17. Security Guard
In some restaurants and bars, you may have seen some security guards who make $13.72 per hour on average.
You may need some training but it’s quite a simple job to do, although you must be prepared for everything — especially in bars.
You never know who walks in the door.
If your classes are scheduled for the mornings and afternoons, working in a pub or bar from 5–7 p.m. could work for you. However, always try to get enough sleep.
18. Software Engineering Intern
If you have the skills to work as a software engineering intern, startup companies consider you a hot commodity.
Take advantage of the high demand and gain experience in college so that you can be prepared to tackle the engineering world when you graduate.
19. Brand Ambassador
If you are friendly, energetic, outgoing, and self-motivated, work as a brand ambassador for a local startup or business.
This position is great for those who want to gain experience in several roles.
You will likely participate in cold calling, email marketing, social media, flyering, and attending events to represent your company.
There can also be an opportunity to grow within the company.
20. Artisan
Have a special talent or craft that you want to share with the world? Make money off your handmade goods on websites like Etsy and Amazon’s Handmade.
Prepare homemade meals for people using Feastly or Josephine. Don’t limit your customer base to the internet you can also try selling your artisan foods and crafts at local boutiques, holiday markets, and even in your college dorm.
21. Homesharing
Got an extra room in your apartment? Websites like Homestay, Airbnb, and FlipKey allow you to rent out your homes to vacationers and travelers.
Put your room on the market during Thanksgiving or Christmas break, when demand (and rates) are highest.
This is a great way to earn cash without having to spend time at a job. Note: if you live in a frat house, this probably isn’t the right option for you.
22. Child & Senior Care
Websites like SitterCity and UrbanSitter make it easy to find nanny and babysitting opportunities near you. You can also try posting a message on NextDoor to offer your babysitting services to local families.
Find Child Care, Babysitters, Senior Care, Pet Care and Housekeeping is perfect if you want to work in adult and senior care. The ability to control your work hours and the relatively high pay makes these jobs ideal for college students.
23. Shop Assistant
Students with erratic and hectic schedules often end up working in retail. Bookstores, boutiques, and even supermarkets employ a lot of them.
It’s one of the best part-time jobs for college students because it offers a variety of shifts, thus students don’t have to skip an important seminar or lecture.
Cashiers usually make $10.78 per hour and retail sales associates around $11.70 per hour. Look for ads online or visit the largest stores in town.
On AppJobs, you can find companies like Instacart or Shipt you could sign up for and earn money doing grocery shopping.
You might have friends in college that are also wanting jobs for college students. Yes, there are out there even on social media. Reach out to them by sharing this article with them.
For More Jobs for College Students with Little or No Experience, Click Here