Unless you’re a rare student who can survive solely on pizza and ramen, working a part-time job while in college is usually necessary to afford tuition, books, and rent. This can also improve your resume and bank balance without sacrificing your grades. With so many options out there, you can easily find the one that fits your schedule, interests, and lifestyle by browsing the job boards, looking at local businesses near you, or considering on-campus positions that will cut down on commuting time and count toward your financial aid work-study requirement. 

Fortunately, many part-time offers can comply with your school schedule and can be done from home or on campus. Here are some of the best ideas that will allow you to make some extra cash while keeping up with your studies and enjoying sweet employee discounts.

Tutoring

If you’re an expert at a particular subject, tutoring is a great way to make extra cash and help your peers. You can find tutoring jobs through your university, private firms, or online. Many students find this job to be rewarding and enjoyable. Hourly pay for tutors will depend on your expertise and client needs.

If writing is your forte, working as a college essay writer free may be an option for you. Admissions officers and graduate programs often seek strong writing skills, so this position can be lucrative.

Web design

A well-designed website is critical for e-commerce or other business websites, but web design is a broad discipline that encompasses many different skills. Web designers plan the layout of a site, wireframe pages, organize content and images, and choose colors, fonts, and visual styles. They work in tandem with a developer who takes their final UI mockup and uses HTML and CSS code to make it a functioning website.

Tech support

If you’re tech-savvy, then the tech support position is the perfect part-time job for you. This career will allow you to troubleshoot technology issues and help customers or colleagues resolve their concerns. You’ll work with the newest products or services available on the market, and you can even get your hands dirty by performing repairs as needed. While many tech support positions only require a high school diploma, some require more technical training and experience.

You can get into the field by working as a general support rep, but you can also advance to a more specific role, such as a software engineer or computer systems analyst. As the number of tech products and services continues to increase, there will always be a need for skilled people in the support field.

In addition to boosting your resume, working while in college can teach you valuable skills that will benefit you throughout the rest of your life. You’ll learn to manage time, deal with stressful situations, and develop communication and leadership skills.

Customer service representative

Providing professional customer support is crucial for maintaining positive relationships between a company and its customers. Customer service representatives address customer inquiries and concerns via phone, email, or online chat. They also assist with processing orders, forms, applications, and requests. These professionals need to be familiar with the company’s products or services and be able to quickly find information if they are asked a question they don’t know the answer to.

Some companies allow their customer service reps to work remotely, allowing them to make their own hours. In this case, the employee would need a reliable internet connection and a computer with the necessary software or apps to handle customer inquiries. This is a great option for students who want to control their schedules and avoid commutes or other time-consuming obligations.

Another good option for students is a customer service role at a gym or fitness center. Many of these positions offer flexible shifts that fit student class schedules, and they often provide discounts or free memberships for students. 

Pet sitting

For students who love animals and enjoy spending time with them, pet sitting can be an excellent option for part-time work. The job entails providing care for domestic pets while their owners are away. It includes visiting pets at their home, feeding and watering them, bringing in the mail, grooming pets, playing with them, cleaning cages or aquariums, and walking dogs. It can also include accompanying pets to the veterinarian for check-ups or emergencies.

Certification is available for pet sitters from groups like the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International. The credentials often require a background check, insurance coverage, pet first aid training, and business methods and policies documentation.

While some pet sits are just short-term, others can be longer—perhaps requiring the sitter to stay overnight at the client’s home. Some sitters will also do chores around the home, such as watering plants and mowing the lawn. This job is good for people who don’t mind traveling, as the client may live far from home. Discussing expectations with clients and setting up a written agreement before the visit is important.

Final words

Having a part-time job while at university can be a good experience and is a big part of building up the skills you need for life after graduation. It also helps you to learn how to budget your money and teaches you the value of hard work. Plus, it allows you to earn some extra spending money and a little independence. But not all part-time jobs are created equal. There are a few that are a perfect fit for student schedules and will make the most impact on your CV.

For example, if you’re already an active member at your local gym, becoming a fitness instructor is an excellent way to get paid and build up your résumé at the same time. Or, if you’re skilled in social media, taking on a freelance gig as a Pinterest account manager can pay you pretty good money if you know how to use the platform and can manage multiple clients simultaneously.

Unless you’re a trust fund baby, chances are you need to earn a little extra cash in addition to your student loans to cover tuition, rent, and food. But with the right balance, you can find a part-time job that’s not only lucrative but also fits your class schedule and adds real-world experience to your resume before graduation. All you need is to go out and find something to your liking.