25 of the Best Jobs for College Students

The broke college student may seem like a worn-out cliché – but for many college students, it’s not so much a cliché as a fact of life. School is expensive. Living on your own is expensive. Having fun?

Expensive.

If you’re ready to have a little more cash in your pocket as you work your way toward your degree, a part-time job could be just the thing. We’ve rounded up 25 of the best jobs for college students to help you find a gig that speaks to you. And as an extra bonus? All of these jobs develop skills that will look great on your resume!

Use Your Social Skills

Social media and other digital channels open up a world of opportunities to make money remotely, from your own electronic device. Consider four of our faves:

1. Blogger

Businesses that understand the importance of digital content don’t always have the in-house capacity to write and post blogs as often as they’d like. They hire people to do that. Whether you have a particular area of subject expertise or the ability to research and interview, these companies can use your help.

Research them and their current social media presence before you go for the job. You may be able to offer them some fresh insights on their blogging strategy.

2. Brand Ambassador

If you have a strong social media presence, you may want to consider reaching out to some of your favorite brands to ask if they are in the market for an ambassador. Many brands hire influencers to promote their products through blogs or videos, meaning you could be making money by simply talking about products you already love.

3. Social Media Assistant

Companies have come to terms with the reality that social media is here to stay. They know they need a social presence, but they may not have the right kind of experts on staff. That’s where you come in!

You’re social media savvy, right? So get in there and help them manage their accounts — from uploading images and videos to scheduling a social campaign that makes sense for them.

4. Virtual Assistant

Put your computer skills to work by supporting professionals with remote administrative services. What can you do for them? Manage their calendars, schedule appointments, book travel — basically anything an administrative assistant would do, only you can do it from the comfort of your dorm or apartment.

Get Physical

You sit in class. You sit to study. A job that lets you move sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Walk this way to earn some cash:

5. Dog Walker/Pet Sitter

Love animals? People who need to leave their dogs at home while they work often need someone to take them for walks during the day. Pet owners go on vacations and travel for business, too, so think about whether you’d like to do overnight pet setting. Do some research into pet daycare and boarding fees to get an idea of how much to charge.

6. Fitness Instructor

If you enjoy spending your free time at the gym, why not make some money while you’re there? Fitness instructors and personal trainers are always in demand. Gyms sometimes require you to take classes or earn certification before they will hire you for these positions, but there may also be opportunities where training is provided. For many people, this is a great way to get paid for doing what they love while helping others achieve their health and fitness goals.

7. Home or Office Cleaner

You can get a pretty good workout cleaning homes, offices, schools or other facilities. Most places like cleaning to take place at night, so it can work well with your schedule, too. You can work for a cleaning company or become an entrepreneur, which gives you the added opportunity to learn how to run a small business.

8. Lifeguard

Fitness, stamina, outstanding swimming skills and a strong sense of responsibility are required to become a lifeguard. You’ll also likely need lifeguard certification through the Red Cross. Some college students think of lifeguarding as the ideal summer – or in some cases, year-round — job. You can work hours around your class schedule, enjoy being by the water and make a meaningful difference in swimmers’ peace of mind.

9. Warehouse Worker

The rise of e-commerce has warehouses jumping day and night — and weekends! That’s good news if you’re looking for a job that doesn’t clash with your daytime classes. Plus, many warehouse jobs don’t require previous experience. You get training on sorting and packing, order picking, quality control or whatever tasks you’ll be involved in once you’re on the team.

Are you a People Person?

These jobs give you the opportunity to showcase your friendly, helpful and sometimes nurturing nature:

10. Barista

There’s no more iconic duo than college students and coffee. Local coffee shops are always on the lookout for people to make drinks and serve them with a smile. It’s a hot opportunity if you can get it — plus you can fine-tune your latte art techniques on the job!

11. Nanny/Babysitter

If you have experience taking care of little ones, babysitting could be an ideal job for you. Typically, you can choose just those jobs that work for your schedule. If you’re ready for a bit more commitment, consider a nanny role with a family. Your schedule will be more structured, possibly with many more hours, but you can work with the parent(s) to establish a mutually agreeable schedule.

12. Restaurant Server

Waiting tables has long been a go-to job for college students. Flexible hours, on-the-job training and the potential for earning tips on top of a regular paycheck can be appealing. Some businesses offer their staff free or highly discounted meals as a perk, too. Not comfortable with a customer-facing job? Restaurants also need people to wash dishes, cook and prep.

13. Sales Associate

One of the great things about a job in a retail store is that their peak seasons tend to be when school is out of session, so you may be able to schedule more hours then. Of course, you can work while you’re taking classes, too. Stores tend to schedule shifts around employees’ availability, so flexibility is built in. What would you do as a sales associate? Every job is different, but responsibilities typically include supporting customers, selling and upselling, handling payments and keeping the sales floor tidy.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

If fresh air and exercise are your thing, consider a job that takes you outdoors. Here are just a few options:

14. Camp Counselor

When you work in the summer, you don’t have to worry about being late to lectures or not having enough time to study. As a summer camp counselor, you can get paid to engage in fun outdoor activities as you supervise kids or teens. You’ll be expected to be a leader and an organizer, as you orchestrate arts and crafts, cooking, athletics and other activities.

15. House Painter

You need painting experience, and ideally some referrals, to land projects painting people’s homes, but some painting crews will hire and train college students. Whether you work for yourself or get hired by a company, you’re likely to have opportunities to paint outdoors and in, so hone your skills and start raking in the income!

16. Landscaper

Landscaping can be hard work. It may include mowing lawns, planting trees and shrubs, cleaning up debris, pulling weeds and a variety of other activities focused on property beautification. But for those who enjoy being outside and getting a good workout, it can be a rewarding experience — not just for the cash itself but also the pride that comes from a job well done.

17. Parking Attendant/Valet

If you have a driver’s license, impeccable driving skills and a friendly demeanor, you might make an excellent parking attendant. The job is to greet customers at a valet stand, parking lot or garage, and then either park their car or offer them instructions about where to park. If you are parking the cars, the company you work for will have a designated lot. Once customers return for their cars, you’ll need to locate the car and deliver it to the customer, promptly and courteously. Do a good job and you may score some generous tips.

Get Down to Business

Whether you’re considering a business career or you just like the structure of an office job, you have many job options. Companies often hire college students for positions such as these:

18. Administrative Assistant

A knack for answering phone calls and emails, entering and filing data, and scheduling meetings and appointments may earn you an administrative assistant position in an office. You can go directly to individual businesses to see if they may have an open position, or try a temporary staffing company, which may be able to place you in some short-term gigs.

19. Paid Internship

An internship can be a great way to build your professional skill set and find out more about career options in your field of interest. A paid internship adds to those benefits the practical matter of generating some cash. Not sure where to look for opportunities? Check for internship openings with everyone you know — your academic advisor, career counselor and faculty at your college; family, friends and neighbors; and any professional contacts you’ve previously added to your network. Visit online internship job boards and local job listings as well.

20. Call Center Representative

Some companies will pay you to talk on the phone. You may be managing incoming customer calls or placing outbound calls to conduct surveys, ask for donations or try to sell products or services. The great advantage of working at a call center is that they usually offer evening or weekend hours, so you can easily work them into your schedule.

21. Receptionist/Desk Clerk

Hotels, gyms, salons and other businesses often need someone to greet and interact with clients. Maybe you’re checking someone into their hotel room, helping a gym member gain entrance when they’ve lost their card or letting a stylist know that their client has arrived. The tasks can vary, but it’s all about being a warm, friendly, helpful representative of the company. Your employer will teach you the rest.

Be Your Own Boss

Flexibility is so important when you’re trying to juggle work and school. Going the entrepreneurial route takes some grit, but you’ve got what it takes! The possibilities are virtually endless:

22. Rideshare/Delivery Service

These jobs are in consistently high demand in college towns, where not everyone has a car or regular access to public transportation. As a driver for a rideshare or delivery service, you make your own hours and earn tips based on your performance, which gives you some control over how much money you make. Before you start driving, make sure you understand all of your employer’s safety precautions and procedures. Follow those at all times in addition to using common sense as you share the space of your car with strangers.

23. Freelance Writer or Graphic Designer

Creativity can open a lot of doors to income. Design logos or websites for businesses. Sell your unique designs for notebooks, T-shirts, mugs and bags through an e-commerce site. Write news stories, marketing copy or blogs. Gig websites and apps can offer a wealth of freelance opportunities, so let your imagination run free.

24. Tutor

If there’s a subject you excel in, say chemistry or a foreign language, consider helping other students improve their grades in that area of study. Tutoring tends to be a relatively high-paying job, and many colleges and universities offer services to connect tutors and students. You might also consider tutoring high school students, who may need help preparing for their SAT or ACT.

25. On-Demand Work

On-demand assignments offer the ultimate in schedule flexibility. Choose the opportunities you want, when you have time to work. These opportunities can range from housekeeping, maintenance and manufacturing gigs to creative and administrative assignments. And since on-demand work has become so in-demand over the past few years, there are a wide variety of gig job platforms and apps committed to connecting workers to jobs.

4 Tips to Keep in Mind

Keep yourself and your personal information safe as you apply for jobs. Limit the information you share to what’s required. Use a private internet connection when completing and sharing applications or other personal details. And before you meet with or go to work for any employer, make sure they are reputable.
In addition to the jobs noted here, you may also want to take a look at the on- and off-campus job listings of your college or university’s career services center.
Consult with your college’s career office to help you decide what type of part-time job may best fit your schedule. They can also recommend positions that will help you build the professional skills (and resume) your intended career will require.
Whatever job you choose, give it your best. Whether your college job is a stepping stone to your career or just a way to generate income, make the most of any opportunity it provides.

Sources:

“25 of the Best Jobs for College Students to Consider,” Indeed, March 16, 2023

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/best-jobs-for-college-students

“The 25 Best Jobs for College Students,” Wonolo, December 4, 2018

https://info.wonolo.com/blog/best-jobs-for-college-students/

“The 10 Best Part-Time Jobs for College Students,” BestColleges, March 21, 2023

https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/best-part-time-jobs-college-students/

“25 Best High Paying Jobs for College Students,” Well Kept Wallet, March 28, 2023

https://wellkeptwallet.com/best-high-paying-jobs-for-college-students/

“8 Jobs for College Students That Pay Above Minimum Wage,” LendingTree, May 21, 2020

https://www.lendingtree.com/student/part-time-jobs-for-students/

“9 Best Gig/Work-On-Demand Apps for Hiring,” Fit Small Business, August 5, 2022