Key Points About: Best Side Hustles for College Students
As a college student, having a side job can assist you in paying for additional expenses without having to borrow more funds through student loans.
A side hustle enables you to earn income while managing your college timetable, unlike a regular employment.
The skills gained from your side hustle could enhance your employability upon graduation.
College may be considered as some of the most memorable years of your life, but the increasing inflation causes the cost of everything, ranging from textbooks to take-out, to rise, leaving you cash-strapped more frequently than you’d like. Moreover, as you juggle a packed schedule of classes, study groups, and extracurricular activities, finding time for full-time employment may prove challenging. Therefore, you require work that is flexible enough to provide you with additional cash while circumventing the time constraints of full-time employment. Being involved in a side hustle as a college student has many benefits. Having a side hustle permits you to set your schedule, enabling you to earn money around your chaotic routine, and reducing the amount of additional student loans required to cover your daily expenses (who wouldn’t prefer lower student loan debt, right?).
Did you know?
By obtaining a student credit card, you have the opportunity to offset certain expenses associated with attending college. In addition, utilizing the card in a responsible manner enables you to accumulate valuable rewards and establish credit. Learn more by exploring your options.
Most flexible side hustles for college students
If you have a restricted or non-traditional schedule, you may require a method to earn additional income. Certain occupations permit you to work at any hour, be it daytime or nighttime.
- Blogging: You can make money online by writing niche blog topics and adding affiliate links to your content. Affiliate links is a type of affiliate marketing collaboration that companies do with bloggers to promote their products. With affiliate marketing. You can earn money every time a reader clicks your link to buy a company’s product.
- Vlogging : If writing isn’t something you enjoy, you can always earn money as a video blogger or vlogger. You can create videos documenting your college experience, tutorials, or even a commentary style channel. By posting these videos on social media, you may be able to earn money through affiliate links. You choose what you want to share and when you want to share it, making vlogging perfect for a flexible schedule.
- Website testing: It’s fairly easy to get into website testing as a side gig, there are website testing platforms available where you can create an account and start getting paid to review websites. You even do this on your smartphone in your spare time.
- Reselling items: You can sell almost anything online. Since sales can happen at any time online, reselling your old items is a great form of passive income. If you have textbooks, clothes, or video games that no longer interest you, consider taking them to resale stores or posting them online. If you enjoy shopping at thrift stores, then you can resell your thrifting finds and earn a little extra money.
Resumé-boosting side hustles for college student
Perhaps you are seeking more than a part-time job and desire a career jumpstart that would enhance your resume. You are after more than just a means to make money; you want a position that offers transferable skills applicable to your future profession. Several student side hustles may prove beneficial in securing a job upon graduation.
- Tutoring: No matter what your area of knowledge is, if you have a skill, you’re good at and can teach others, then becoming a tutor can be a great college side hustle. Tutoring doesn’t have to just be on your college campus; tutoring can also be teaching a computer class to seniors at your community center or helping high school students with math homework online.
- Freelancing: If you have a skillset that you’re passionate about, freelancing may also be a good fit for you. Maybe your career path is within the fashion industry, then you can be a freelance personal stylist. If you enjoy writing, becoming a freelance writer could be the perfect side hustle for you. Being a freelancer helps teach leadership and entrepreneurial skills, both of which look great on resumés.
- Data entry: Starting a part-time job as a data entry clerk for a local business will provide you with written communication and time management skills that can strengthen your resumé. Data entry jobs can be in an office or remote/online, so check your local job posting boards for one that fits into your schedule.
- Virtual assistant: If you want to work in a particular industry after you graduate, you can get a head-start by becoming a virtual assistant in that field. Being a virtual assistant helps you learn valuable project management and organizational skills, and you can do it from the comfort of your home. Plus, you’ll get to learn more about the career field you’re interested in and decide if it’s a good fit for you.
- Customer service: Customer service jobs could be in a fast-food chain or retail store—but they don’t have to be. You can also do customer service work online as side hustle. Many companies need people to run their virtual help desks and answer customer questions. You can even stay local and answer email or sales inquiries for a small business while working remotely.
1. Content writer
The hourly pay rate is approximately $37.
Individuals who specialize in content writing create written material for brands, such as articles that highlight their products and services. This supplementary job opportunity may be suitable for college students who are pursuing degrees in communication, English, or journalism.
2. SAT/ACT preparation tutor
The payment amount is approximately $22 per hour.
Frana suggests that individuals who have impressive scores in standardized testing can consider SAT and/or ACT preparation tutoring as a profitable opportunity. Additionally, standardized testing tutoring can serve as a flexible side job that can be done remotely.
3. Brand ambassador or social media manager
The hourly pay is approximately $19.
Companies collaborate with brand ambassadors to advertise their content on social media. If you have an interest in social media and producing content, being a brand ambassador or managing social media might be a suitable career choice, according to Frana.
4. Virtual assistant
The hourly pay rate is approximately $34.
If you are skilled in organizing things, you could consider pursuing virtual assistant freelance jobs. Virtual assistant jobs commonly entail responding to emails, arranging schedule meetings and travel plans, and keeping track of schedules. This type of work is ideal for students.
The compensation for virtual assistants differs, yet the job is location-independent and could offer the possibility for college students to work whilst still attending classes.
5. Graphic designer
The hourly rate of pay is approximately $32.
Side hustles in graphic design offer individuals with artistic and creative talent the chance to conceptualize and produce designs, logos, illustrations, and layouts. Often, these jobs are temporary, providing students with ample flexibility.
6. Food delivery
The salary varies depending on the location, but on average, it pays approximately $19 per hour.
Food delivery services such as DoorDash, Postmates and Uber Eats are frequently in high demand on college campuses, making them a great option for students looking to work.
Students can earn money at any time throughout their busy schedules through food delivery, whether by bike, scooter, or car.
