Sometimes college can be like a high-wire act—balancing classes, social life, and the inevitable need for some cash. Finding the perfect job as a college student can be a game-changer, not just for your bank account, but for your resume as well. Below we’ll take a look at some of the best jobs for college students, keeping in mind flexibility, decent pay…and a touch of fun!
Which College Job is Right for You?
First, it’s important to determine what type of job you’re looking for. Are you just looking for a little extra spending money? Something that will give you career experience? Something super-flexible? Something that will make you the most money possible? You get the idea!
It’s important to consider all this prior to your job search, because it may be hard to find all these qualities in one singular job. For example, there are jobs that are super flexible, but don’t pay as well as other jobs with longer hours. Or jobs that have an element of fun or other social qualities like being a waiter, barista, tour guide, etc. but that may not provide you with valuable career experience in your field.
Whatever your needs are, write them down! Including the hours you’d be available to work. The second thing to consider is transportation, and whether you are primarily looking for a job on or off-campus. Both can have their merits and we’ll go into a few examples below. You’ll also want to check into the minimum wage in your state, to get an idea for a starting wage and which jobs are more competitive than others.
Let’s look at options for the best jobs for college students both on and off-campus.
Best On-Campus Jobs for College Students
Library Assistant
Imagine getting paid to be surrounded by books—sounds like a dream, right? As a library assistant, you’ll help students find their next study buddy (or procrastination partner), keep the place organized, run the front desk and maybe even get some studying done yourself. Plus, it’s hard to beat the commute if you live on campus.
Teaching Assistant
Being a teacher’s assistant (or “TA’ing”) is like getting a backstage pass to your favorite professor’s class. You’ll help grade papers, lead study sessions, and maybe even teach a class or two. It’s a great way to deepen your knowledge and build a strong connection with the faculty.
Research Assistant
If you love all things data and experiments, becoming a research assistant can be a rewarding part-time job. You’ll dive into projects, collect data, make tables and charts to your heart’s content. Plus, it looks fantastic on your resume.
Campus Support
If all this sounds too academic for you, or if your industry doesn’t lend itself to opportunities in this area, don’t worry—there are still plenty of excellent part-time jobs to be had on campus for college students looking for the best jobs in the following areas:
• Food service
• Hospitality/front desk
• Administrative assistance
• Gym or fitness center staff
• Student ambassador/tour guides
Many college students who live on campus even consider being a Resident Advisor (RA), who support student residents living in dorms, organize events, and basically ensure dorm policies are followed. If rent is a pain point for you, may times free or discounted housing on-site is offered as a perk, which can free up significant cash flow.
Some on-campus jobs can be hard to come by, so it’s worth doing some research into what opportunities your campus offers and how you can get your name in the hat. With a little networking and an exploration of what’s out there, you’re sure to find something that’s a good fit for what you’re looking for.
Some full-time on-campus roles even offer partial or full tuition coverage at the same institution, so if you’re on your second degree, or looking to both earn money to pay off student loans and finish a second degree, working for your alma mater can be a very strategic move.
Best of Off-Campus Jobs for College Students
Okay, let’s assume you’re looking for jobs off-campus, or a summer job during the college break. The first, most obvious type of jobs are retail jobs.
Retail Jobs
Retail gigs, like working in a clothing store or a bookstore, are everywhere and often come with generally flexible hours. You’ll hone your customer service skills, learn the art of sales, and get some sweet employee discounts. This type of job can be perfect for earning a little extra cash, especially with companies bolstering their starting entry-wage level since COVID-19.
Waiter or Waitress
There’s a reason this has been one of the most popular jobs for college students for decades. The hours are flexible, the tips can be great with the right gig, and you might even make some new friends. Just watch out for the occasional spilled drink—consider it a badge of honor.
As with most jobs, the determining factor here is which restaurant you work for. It’s worth doing some research beforehand on the options in your area—packed restaurants in touristy areas or on campus can rake in the tips on nights and weekends, while other chain-oriented fast-food companies offer tuition reimbursement for on-campus degrees, in addition to online programs:
• Chick-fil-A, for example, traditionally offers tuition discounts of up to 30% for eligible college students at more than 100 participating colleges, in addition to scholarships.
“Chick-fil-A has great career opportunities and a great culture.” – Southwestern Advantage Marketing Director Erica West , formerly of Chick-fil-A.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill reimburses an employee’s tuition up to $5,250 (the amount the IRS allows to be tax-free).
• Chili’s offers its employees the Best You EDU program, which helps eligible employees earn associate degrees online at little to no cost, in addition to partial tuition reimbursement for non-online study.
• Papa John’s Dough & Degrees program offers tuition assistance from partial to full coverage depending on the team member role and college location.
These are just a few examples and not every benefit may be available in all locations, so do some research on the options available in your area to see if you or your school qualifies for benefits!
Barista
If you want something a little less chaotic than waiter or waitressing, being a coffee barista can also be an excellent choice. Many coffee shops, especially those near college campuses, understand the academic commitments of their student employees and are willing to accommodate their schedules. As a barista, you’ll have the opportunity to earn tips, and interact with a diverse group of people daily (“the regulars”)—students, professors, and local residents—providing ample networking opportunities. And let’s not forget the coffee perks! Many coffee shops offer free or discounted drinks and food to their employees, a delightful benefit for caffeine-loving students.
“Working as a barista can be a great experience, if you like the environment and love coffee,” said Southwestern Family of Companies Director of Content, Mandy Hudson, former barista.
Catering
Catering events often occur on weekends or during evenings, allowing you to balance work with your schedule. You’ll be part of everything from weddings and corporate events to university functions and private parties, allowing you a front-row view of the social scene. This exposure not only keeps the job interesting but also offers unique networking opportunities. You’ll enhance your customer service abilities, learn to work efficiently under pressure, and develop strong teamwork skills, skills that can be highly transferrable and often look good on a resume. And let’s not forget the food! Catering sometimes offers the benefit of leftovers, which can be a nice bonus.
Bartending
You have to be over 21 of course in the U.S. and different venues have different rules, but bartending can be a flexible and decent-paying gig for post-graduate students looking to earn some cash. You’ll have to go through mixology training, but there are definitely worse party skills to have! Bartending gigs can be found through an established restaurant, or catering/bartending services for hire, adding extra flexibility as to where you work—predictable, or unpredictable.
Food Delivery
If you like the idea of food and tips, but with a little less social pressure (we see you, introverts!), food delivery services like pizza delivery, DoorDash, Postmates and GrubHub have never been more in demand. Food delivery requires minimal training, making it easy to get started—all you need is a vehicle. As a bonus, you’ll learn all the shortcuts and routes around your local area, which can be particularly useful IRL. You’ll stay active, moving around, and allows you work independently.
Nannying/Babysitting
Don’t throw this idea out with the baby – er, bathwater! If you like kids and need a flexible job, babysitting or nannying can be perfect with the right role. The pay is usually competitive, and there’s usually some downtime when the kids are asleep, giving you a chance to hit the books. Just be prepared for some epic games of hide and seek.
Nannying will come with a background check, of course, and usually a trial to make sure you jive with the family. But many families are willing to work around a.m. or p.m. school schedules for some consistent part-time help. In some arrangements, the family may even provide housing or spare room, in addition to pay.
Tutoring
Are you at the top of the class? As far as jobs for college students are concerned, tutoring is usually a win-win, if you know your stuff. You get to help others and reinforce your own knowledge. Whether you’re tutoring your peers or high school students, it’s a flexible job that pays well, depending on the clientele.
Ride Share
For those looking for maximum flexibility or with irregular schedules, if you have a reliable vehicle, ride share might be for you, the two current heavyweights in the space being Uber or Lyft. In addition to the standard fare, some ride-share companies offer bonuses for driving during peak hours or completing a certain number of rides. This can lead to a substantial income, especially in a busy college town or areas with a busy airport or downtown district.
Moving
If you want a job that helps you get your workout in (and you definitely will), moving jobs are worth noting in that they often pay well, with hourly rates higher than many other part-time positions. Heavy-lifting may be required, but for some people this is a perk, not necessarily a drawback. There’s a good reason you see college hunks hauling junk.
Remote, Freelancing and Gig Economy Jobs
Looking for a job as a college student where you use your current skillset and are able to work from home (or your dorm room)? Good news! It’s neve3sr been easier to be a part-time freelancer as part of the gig economy.
Social Media
Is social media practically a part-time job for you at the moment? Do you thrive on making engaging posts and watching the likes, shares and subscribes? Put those inherent Gen Z skills to good use! There are plenty of busy professionals, speakers or solopreneurs who are looking to partner with a reliable social media assistant. You’ll usually be working with the personality for guidance, then executing on a strategy that fits their brand. Be sure to research the going rates/monthly packages for freelancers, so you can price yourself competitively.
Virtual Assistant
As a remote virtual assistant, you’ll handle tasks like scheduling, managing emails, and doing research—all from your laptop. This job offers flexibility and can be done from anywhere, making it ideal for busy students. Think of it as being an administrative ninja. You’ll just need to communicate your available working hours to your employer, such as whether working in the morning or afternoon is expected.
Freelance Writing
If you’re a whiz with words, on paper writing could be your ticket. Forget ChatGPT, from blog posts to marketing copy, there’s still a huge demand for good, skilled writers. Sites like Upwork and Fiverr make it easy to find gigs, and the overhead is low. Plus, you can write in your pajamas—what’s not to love?
Photography
Calling all camera nerds…you know who you are! Put your mad photo talent to use in your sweet spot – family photos, corporate events, newborn or pet photography, etc. There is some overhead involved getting set up with the right equipment and you’ll need to build a sample portfolio, but if you love photography and rock at it, this can be a somewhat lucrative part-time job that you can definitely work around your studies.
Graphic Design
If you have experience in design, freelancing in graphic design can be both fun and profitable. You can create logos, design websites, and produce marketing materials for clients, depending on your level of expertise. It’s a great way to build a portfolio and gain experience while getting paid. Just make sure you know the expectations and brand guidelines beforehand, so you know the level of work expected. You’ll also want to make sure you have the appropriate design software to match the needs of your client.
Online Customer Service
Many companies hire remote customer service reps to handle inquiries and support. Good communication skills are a must, but, again, you can do it all from the comfort of any quiet, comfortable space. Plus, you might even get to wear a headset and feel like a tech support hero.
Internships
Last but not least, when considering options for college students, we would be remiss to leave out college internships! Paid internships are the holy grail for college students. They offer money and valuable work experience. From marketing to engineering, these positions often lead to full-time job offers post-graduation. Internships can be part-time, or full-time, or a hybrid of both (ex. full-time during the summer), allowing you to make maximum bank and beef up your resume doing it.
Many internships are traditional, in-person internships, but virtual internships are rising in popularity. Fields like IT, digital marketing, design and content writing are ripe with remote opportunities. The perk of virtual internships are that they allow you to work from anywhere, while in-person internships can generally help you gain more connections and networking from in-office relationships.
Looking for a college internship program that allows you to set yourself apart from the field? Become a part of the nation’s longest-running internship and join the more than 100,000 students from over 1,600 college campuses worldwide that have participated in the famous Southwestern Advantage Internship Program. Alumni of the program include four Governors, two U.S. Senators, Presidential Cabinet members, and countless business leaders.
Which Opportunity is Best For You?
Between on-campus, off-campus, virtual opportunities and internships, there’s a lot to choose from here.
Again, it’s important to consider your needs prior to your job search, because different options work best for different people. Don’t let it be intimidating! With a little intentionality and research, you can find the best opportunity for you during your college years.
