Some of the best jobs for college students are fairly easy to get, require little to no professional experience, and offer adequate compensation. Being a college student, getting a degree is your primary focus, and a job is there to support your lifestyle until you graduate.
The good news is that the list of jobs for college students includes plenty of positions that cater to a broad audience with diverse skills. In this article, we’ll explore the most popular options to help you find a suitable job.
Key Takeaways
When looking for the best jobs for college students, you should consider the time commitment, flexibility, compensation, experience they provide, and skills required, among other things.
Some student jobs offer better flexibility, some are more lucrative, and some can help jump-start your career once you graduate.
Some of the best jobs for college students include blogging, writing, tutoring, social media management, and retail, to name a few.
You can find a job by using campus resources, attending job fairs and workshops, leveraging your network, browsing online job boards, and using LinkedIn.
What Should College Students Consider When Looking for a Job?
Time commitment is one of the key factors to consider when choosing a job as a college student.
As a student, a lot of your time revolves around taking classes and studying. For instance, if you’re in a challenging major that takes up most of your day, you might be interested in part-time jobs for college students.
Flexibility is another point of consideration. Many students favor positions that allow them to adjust their work hours and ensure they align with their classes. On the other hand, there are students who value compensation more and prioritize higher pay over flexibility.
Some students might also seek practical experience that can give them a head start in their field after graduation. It’s not uncommon for them to do certain jobs for a lower salary if they can gain invaluable experience in their field.
You should also consider the skills needed for the job and whether you can improve them while working. You can get some of the best jobs for college students with no experience, yet you can acquire plenty of valuable skills while working them.
Finally, consider company culture and work environment when choosing a job as a college student, and don’t overlook networking opportunities.
14 Best Jobs College Students Should Consider
Let’s explore a comprehensive list of some of the best jobs for college students. These jobs offer a vast variety, so you’re bound to find the one that best fits your needs and circumstances.
#1. Barista
A barista prepares and serves coffee, tea, and other beverages in cafés. This job is excellent for improving interpersonal skills, as it involves constant interaction with customers. Many barista positions offer flexible hours, allowing students to schedule them around their classes.
The median salary of $29,710 per year, a positive job outlook of 2%, and no requirements to apply make this an excellent job for those who want to gain experience in the customer service field. The role of a barista is particularly good for outgoing students who love to work in thriving social environments, and a well-written resume can help you secure it.
#2. Blogger
Bloggers create content for websites. They share their knowledge, insights, and opinions on various topics. The work ranges from writing and editing blog posts to creating graphics, organizing web pages, managing social media accounts, and so on.
This is one of the most flexible jobs for college students. Blogging can typically be done anywhere and on a schedule that best suits you. It’s an ideal role for creative students who love writing and have in-depth knowledge of a specific topic.
Moreover, students can use blogging to create a portfolio of their work, which can be a great asset for jump-starting their careers after graduation.
#3. Administrative Assistant
Administrative assistants support offices by performing the usual tasks, such as answering phones, managing schedules, organizing files, etc. Your experience in this role can vastly improve your organization, management, and communication skills. Plus, you can gain valuable technical skills, such as proficiency in project management tools, MS Office software, etc.
Many positions for administrative assistants are part-time, allowing students to organize them around their academic duties. A negative job outlook of -10% means you need a strong administrative assistant resume and cover letter to maximize your chances of getting the job. Median salary is $46,010 per year.
#4. Tutor
Tutors teach other students specific subjects that they know in depth, like math, language, chemistry, etc. They can provide one-on-one tutoring or help groups of other students, leveraging their current knowledge to earn money. Tutors can earn around $20 per hour or more, making this one of the easy jobs that pays well for college students.
As a tutor, you can usually set your own schedule to fit your academic duties. This role is also a great way to improve your communication and teaching skills, which are valuable in the business world regardless of your career. It’s also perfect for deepening your knowledge of the subject.
#5. Nanny
Nannies take care of other families’ children. They keep children safe, ensure their well-being, and organize various activities to entertain or educate them. Additional duties can include preparing meals, creating daily schedules and routines, etc.
This is one of the best jobs for college students who are patient, enjoy working with children, and have a nurturing nature. The experience obtained while working as a nanny can be invaluable in fields like education or psychology.
While the role of childcare workers is in decline with a -2% job outlook, you can easily get one with a compelling resume and cover letter. The median salary is $30,370.
#6. Lifeguard
Lifeguards oversee the safety of swimmers at pools, beaches, and waterparks. Their job is to create a secure environment and promptly act in case of emergencies. To become a lifeguard, you need relevant certification. Getting this certification requires having strong swimming skills, water safety knowledge, and proficiency in CPR and first aid.
This is one of the best jobs for college students in the summer, and it is great for outgoing and physically fit students looking for part-time work. The median salary is around $30,000 per year, and the qualities you obtain as a lifeguard (e.g., responsibility, emergency response, attention to detail, or vigilance) can significantly help your professional career in the future.
#7. Receptionist
Receptionists are the first points of contact between a customer and a business. They are responsible for greeting clients in person or via phone, addressing their inquiries, scheduling appointments, etc. They also perform many basic administrative tasks.
This is one of the best jobs for detail-oriented college students who want to improve their customer service, organization, and time management skills. The neutral job outlook of 0% means there’s little to no change in the employment growth rate. A solid receptionist resume and cover letter can vastly improve your chances of getting the role.
#8. Freelance Writer
Freelance writers write various types of content, ranging from blog posts to magazine articles and technical pieces for products and services. This is one of the best remote jobs for college students, and you can often choose your own hours.
If you plan to continue this career, you can use your work as a freelance writer to build a portfolio. Pair it with a writer resume, and you’ll have a head start when hunting for a job after graduation. Salaries and job outlooks vary depending on your specialization. For instance, technical writers have a yearly median pay of $80,050 and a 7% job outlook.
#9. Library Assistant
Library assistants do various supportive tasks, including organizing and shelving books or helping visitors with inquiries. This is another job that students can get part-time. Plus, a peaceful and scholarly environment complements academic life.
Employment change for library assistants is in decline, with a -6% outlook, and the median yearly salary is a moderate $36,700 per year. Still, the work can help you enhance your customer service skills and attention to detail. Plus, you can try to find a job at your university library and access plenty of resources to support your studies.
#10. Delivery Driver
Delivery drivers transport goods to buyers or businesses. This job offers many shifts, allowing students to choose their work hours. The shifts can be during nights and weekends as well.
The independent nature of delivery drivers makes this one of the best jobs for college students who enjoy driving and want autonomy. The median salary for delivery drivers is $39,950 per year, and the job outlook is 10%. You can also find a job as a food delivery driver since that line of work experienced huge growth during the pandemic.
#11. Social Media Manager
Social media managers maintain social media accounts for clients. Some tasks include creating content—like writing posts and designing graphics—and engaging with the audience to increase the client’s following and build their brand. More complex duties include looking at analytics and developing social media strategies.
This is the perfect job for students who are into marketing. The role requires creativity, technical skills, and the ability to keep up with trends. Through your work, you’ll significantly improve many social media skills that will be invaluable in your future career, including written and verbal communication, content creation, and more.
#12. Retail Sales Worker
Retail sales workers work in stores to help customers with their purchases, process their payments, and organize the inventory. This is a versatile job, as you can find a position in different industries, such as clothing, tech, or grocery stores.
A well-written retail resume and cover letter may be necessary to help you get the job since the outlook is -2%. Still, the role can help you improve your customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills while netting you a decent yearly median salary of $33,900.
#13. Animal Care Worker
Animal care workers attend to animals, train them, or care for them while their owners are at work. This is a great job for students who love animals and like dynamic work. Depending on the role, pet care workers can be employed in many different environments, like zoos, stables, pet stores, and veterinary clinics.
The job outlook is 16%, which is much faster than average growth. This makes animal care a relatively easy job to get and a great way to earn an income as a student. The median salary is $31,830 annually.
#14. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants provide remote technical, administrative, or creative support. This is one of the best jobs for college students with no experience, as it can be quickly picked up with just the basic qualifications.
Virtual assistance is another highly flexible role, as it can be done anywhere with an internet connection. You can work from home or even on campus.
The virtual assistant skills required depend on the specific tasks you’ll be doing. You can do everything from customer service to data entry as a virtual assistant. The salary varies depending on the hours and your responsibilities.
How to Find a Job as a College Student
There are many ways to find a job as a college student, most of which require a proactive approach with the use of the right resources.
One of the best ways to start looking for a job is by utilizing campus resources. Many colleges have offices that help students get their careers off the ground. They can provide you with job listings, help with your resume, and give you career counseling. You should also watch for job fairs, workshops, and networking events organized at your college campus.
Additionally, you can leverage your professional network. By using your connections with classmates and professors, you can find out whether there’s an opening that suits your needs. Plus, you can get a reference or recommendation to improve your chances of getting the role.
Another popular method that you can use to find the best jobs for college students with ease is by searching online. Websites like Indeed, Monster, and Glassdoor have countless job postings that are updated regularly. There’s also Handshake, which is a student-centric online job board, and FlexJobs, which is perfect for part-time or remote work.
Finally, you can find a job on LinkedIn. To maximize your chances of success, you just want to ensure your profile is optimized to highlight your key qualifications.
Final Thoughts
The best jobs for college students are those that don’t interfere with their academic duties but align with their goals and aspirations and offer decent compensation. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to choose from.
To find the one that suits you best, you should identify your strengths, see whether there’s potential for future growth, and find the role that matches your needs. By utilizing campus resources, your network, or online job boards, you’ll find that job in no time. Just don’t forget to polish your resume and familiarize yourself with common interview questions.
