Are you a college student looking for a part-time job? From tutoring to babysitting, there are lots of options on making a little money to help you get through higher education. ZipRecruiter offers up nine of these potential part-time jobs for college students.
Your college years are a time to explore, learn, have fun, and work. We are used to seeing images of struggling college students in television and film, but today, there are more top-paying positions available for college students than ever before. Working while in college has multiple benefits, and several of the gigs that are geared toward college students pay well enough to fund school expenses, weekend activities, local travel, and even a modest savings fund that can be used for emergencies.
Just in time for the start of the semester, ZipRecruiter has compiled 9 jobs that you can pursue to earn money, build your resume, and explore the world of work (when you're not in class).
1. Tutor
While this may seem like an obvious choice, many people do not think of tutoring as a paid position. However, tutoring jobs can be quite lucrative in terms of earning a steady income and helping other students who need assistance in specific academic areas. This job can be done during flexible hours, and clients are accessible; a stroll down to your campus' library will yield at least a dozen students seeking tutoring services. Tutors can usually make up to $15 hourly, particularly for subjects that are in high demand, such as Math or Physics. This type of role tells employers that you can convey information clearly, work well with others, and serve as a subject matter expert.
A major part of college-level work requires conducting research for a paper, project, or experiment. You can use this experience to secure a research assistant job on your campus or with a company. In this role, you will collect and analyze data, write reports, and complete literature reviews. Be sure to pay careful attention to the compensation offered in this position as some research assistant positions offer course credit as compensation. However, those that offer monetary compensation may pay $12 to $15 per hour. Having the ability to properly conduct research is a highly marketable skill that employers value in business, natural sciences, higher education, and other fields.
3. Web Designer
If you ever find yourself writing code just for the fun of it or playing with Photoshop, a web designer position may be a great fit for your college job. Web designers work with people who want to create websites, including designing the layout and writing the content. You may find this role in one of the departments on campus or at a local organization seeking a part-time employee who is a wiz on the web. Either way, this job can serve as a great resume booster and can pay up to $12 per hour. Even if you do not enter this field after graduation, having this role in your professional profile will help you to stand out among other candidates who lack the technical, creative, and communication skills that you acquired in your web design job.
4. Receptionist
Receptionist jobs have a lot to offer college students. They are often flexible, so you can juggle getting homework done, getting involved on campus and getting some sleep! You will have to answer phones, greet guests, file documents, and follow protocols to direct people to the correct departments. You are often the first face that a guest sees when they enter the office. This means that in many ways, you will represent the company. Employers will be impressed that you have held this level of responsibility. The pay for this position can range from $8 – $10 per hour. If done correctly, you can also make professional connections to aid in your post-graduation job search.
Grant Writing Assistants help researchers apply for funding by writing and submitting proposals. You can find this role in a government department, a local research company, or with a campus professor conducting research. These roles can pay $10 to $12 per hour, and the extensive writing skills you will develop will only aid you in composing the many papers assigned by professors. Not to mention, working this job during your college years can help you get your foot in the door for a full-time position after graduation. If you decide that you do not want to be in grant writing, no problem; the designation on your resume will still stand out to employers as a valuable professional experience and demonstrate your ability to write professional communications.
As a TA, you will work closely with one or more professors to help them stay organized for classes, assist with student inquiries, and complete administrative tasks. You can coordinate your schedule with your professor's, so you will have no problem fitting this job in with your other responsibilities. Working alongside professors can help you secure professional references for post-college jobs while earning about $8 to $9.50 per hour. Whether you are serving as a TA in a subject you enjoy or one you would rather avoid, you will get to explore it further and increase your proficiency in it. This job is truly a win-win!
The library is one of those places on campus that appears to be calm, but it is always quietly abuzz. Students working in the library are often learning new subjects, studying old ones, and some are even earning money. As a library assistant, you can help patrons find what they need and become better acquainted with useful library resources. You can make $9 to $11 hourly, and the level of responsibility you assume in this role can improve your job prospects after college. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Library Assistant positions are projected to grow at least 5% through 2024, so gaining experience in this area may lead to secure career opportunities in the future, both on campus and off.
8. Babysitter
Babysitting is an age-old money maker. For years, college students have tended to the needs of children and families in exchange for money. Duties include transporting children, preparing small meals and snacks, and keeping children safe and engaged while their parents are away. Babysitters often set their own rates, but can make up to $20 per hour depending on experience, availability, and additional services offered. A babysitting role can help make you a better job candidate after graduation by letting employers know that you are skilled in fostering a safe, interactive environment for others, which is useful in business, child care, human services, and other industries.
Not all college students use social media, but many do. In 2016, researchers discovered that 76% of surveyed college students reported using social media sites up to 10 hours per day. So, if you are one of these frequent users of Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, why not get paid for it?
While you won't exactly get to update your own social media on the clock, you will get to support a company's brand by writing and editing posts, choosing graphics to catch the attention of followers, and monitoring each platform. You will develop skills in branding and marketing, which are useful in several professions. In addition, Social Media Assistants make about $9 to $11 per hour. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the increasing popularity of social media will result in more jobs but also more competition. Working this role in college will not only help you to sharpen your social media skills for both personal and professional use, but will also help you stand out among the competition.
Now that you know about 9 jobs in which you can earn top dollar and bolster your professional profile to be a more marketable candidate after college, start applying! College is an empowering time during which you can make choices that shape your future, so choosing a job wisely and putting your best foot forward is key.
NOTE: This article was originally authored by Kaila Kea for ZipRecruiter and has been republished with permission.