To work or not to work? That is too often out of the question for students. For more than half of full-time college and university students, working is not a choice but rather a necessity.
While some manage to combine their studies with full-time jobs, most opt for working part-time or freelancing. Even then, they sometimes have to use an essay writing service like EssayWritingService that offers affordable paper writing help. But this is a reasonable price to pay for being able to have a stable income.
However, the choice of part-time jobs is often limited as many employers tend to prefer full-time workers. Fortunately, there still are some viable options for students.
Continue reading to find out how to secure an ideal part-time job without neglecting your studies.
How to Choose the Right Job
Not all part-time jobs are suitable for students. Some require very high levels of expertise, others offer schedules that are incompatible with college timetables. There also are jobs that are way too boring or unpromising for students.
So, how do you choose the right job? Follow these three steps.
Identify Your Strengths
Start with identifying your strengths (and weaknesses). Is there something you can do better than others? As a college or university student, you should have some specific skills and expertise.
The best idea is to begin with your major. Are you a STEM student? Then, you might become a good tutor, programmist, or webmaster. Do you study humanities? Yet again, tutoring is a great choice, as is writing or editing.
Define Your Interests
Next, think about what you would like to do. Regardless of skills and majors, people have their personal preferences. What are yours? Would you rather be a tutor or a writer? Work with kids or adults? Do you prefer company or solitude? Take your time to deliberate.
Research the Salaries
After identifying several intersection points between your areas of expertise and interests, it’s time to think about the money. Head to online job boards (or your college career center) and gather information about the salaries employers offer for the jobs you fancy.
Part-Time Jobs vs. Freelancing
But why choose a part-time job when you can be a freelancer? – you might ask. And it’s a reasonable question for those good at writing, coding, or anything else that one can do remotely.
But bear in mind that freelancing has its drawbacks, such as:
- Freelancing a less stable source of income than a part-time job;
- It’s also not suitable for those who need constant supervision or lack advanced time management skills.
- Freelancers have fewer growth opportunities unless they plan to continue as entrepreneurs.
So, if you need stability, teamwork, and growth opportunities at an established company, go for a part-time job.
8 Best Part-Time Job Ideas for College Students
Here are the best part-time jobs for ambitious students – from writing and marketing to coding and IT support.
1. Writer/Editor
Not so long ago, writing was considered as good as dead due to the rapid decline of the print press. But nowadays it’s big again – probably, even more than ever.
While the quality press is still scarce, the number of online media has surged in recent years, and there’s no visible end to it.
You can be an author or a web editor, write scripts for YouTube channels, company blogs, or landing pages – the choice is yours.
2. Online Tutor
Tutoring has always been popular among students. However, working offline came with limitations as long commutes were usually not an option for both tutors and pupils.
But the digital era offers virtually limitless opportunities. You can work from home via conferencing software such as Zoom, promote yourself on social media, and use online job boards instead of old-fashioned classified ads. Just make sure you know the subject well!
3. Translator
While technology has undoubtedly made translation easier, AI still cannot do as well as humans. So, working as a remote translator can be an ideal option for non-native English speakers. Provided they are proficient in both English and their mother tongue.
Majoring in languages gives considerable advantage and increases your chances of employment. So does networking and a language certificate issued by a respectable organization.
4. Social Media Marketing Specialist
Hardly any brand can do without a solid social media presence these days. Hence the constant demand for qualified SMM specialists. Digitally native young students are usually welcome in SMM departments.
Even though SMM managers at big companies usually work full-time, it’s possible to find a paid internship. You can also work for a smaller business or apply for similar positions such as community manager or copywriter for social media.
5. Sales Representative
Do you have an innate talent for sales? Try working part-time as a sales representative. Every business needs sales, and the best reps can earn hefty sums – plus it’s possible to work remotely.
However, it’s crucial to understand that the job is not as easy as it may seem. Sales reps need to master many skills before they can meet the goals and make real money. A successful candidate should be a proficient sales software user, have advanced communication skills, and more.
6. Web/Graphic Designer
Web and graphic design are often confused. They are indeed very similar – but not interchangeable. Anyway, if you have advanced design skills, you can try your hand at both.
The main difference is, web designers need some coding skills, whereas graphic designers only work with graphics. However, coding skills necessary for web designers can be easily acquired via online courses.
7. Webmaster
Students with strong technical skills and some experience in website maintenance can apply for webmaster positions. You can easily do this job remotely. Plus, most employers offer flexible hours, which goes perfectly well with demanding academic schedules.
The flip side is, many job descriptions in this field are rather vague. Some employers expect their webmasters to possess graphic design or SEO optimization skills, and they also admit that the workload fluctuates significantly.
8. Mobile App Developer
The mobile app market is booming, and the entry-level threshold has gone down since programming languages are easier to learn nowadays. If you know at least one and can produce a decent app, try applying for a mobile developer position.
The offers are abundant, and the salaries vary, but one thing is for sure: with this profession, you’ll always be able to pay your bills.
The Bottom Line
Combining work and studies has always been difficult. Luckily, modern students have lots of part-time job opportunities. What’s more, these opportunities are not the same as they were several decades ago.
