9 Best Jobs for College Students in 2021
May 19, 2021As a college student, your schedule is likely full of classes, studying and social activities. Many students are also working in addition to their already busy lives. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 33% of college students had a job as of October 2020.
If you are looking to get a job as a college student, it is possible to balance school, social life and work. Deciding which job is right for you, however, depends on your goals. Read on to find out what to look for in a job and learn about some of the best jobs for college students.
What to Look for in a Job
Jobs for college students can help fulfill many goals. It is important to determine what goals you are trying to achieve when deciding which jobs to seek out. Take a look at some of these goals to see which best fits your needs:
Earn More Money
Do you need a job that will earn enough to pay for tuition and living expenses or are you working to cover extra costs like entertainment and eating out? Knowing how much money you need to earn to make your budget work can help determine the type of job that would be best for you. If you don’t have a budget, make one to determine which expenses are not covered by your scholarships or financial aid. Jobs that earn more money may require more time or experience, but it is possible to find a well-paying job as a college student.
Satisfaction
Are you taking on a job to gain experience in your field of study or is it simply to earn some cash? The satisfaction of gaining experience in your field may make you more willing to take a lesser paid position because the experience will be worth more. But if an income is your objective, you may not have the luxury of taking a lower-paid position in your desired future workplace.
Lifestyle
If you don’t want your job to hamper your social life, you may be more focused on finding a part-time job that lets you balance work, social life and school. There are also many jobs for college students online that can be made to fit your schedule.
Best Jobs for College Students
After you determine what you want to get out of your job, here are some of the top jobs for college students based on the salary you can earn, satisfaction and work-life balance:
Tutoring
Tutoring can offer great job satisfaction as it allows you to help others, and often commands a high income and job flexibility. Tutoring can also help you in your career by enabling you to sharpen your communication skills. You can expect to receive an average of $25 per hour.
Receptionist
An office job may be a higher-paying position, which is great for college students. This kind of position could also help you to decide whether an office job is right for you. While these types of jobs may offer less flexible schedules, you’ll often learn a great deal from these types of positions, and you’ll have the opportunity to see how a business works from the inside.
Restaurant Job
Working as a server or restaurant host could be a great job if you like interacting with people and don’t mind a busy work environment. As a server, you may be able to earn a high income with tips, but the cash flow may not always be steady. A job in a restaurant may easily work around your class schedule, but it could hamper your social life if you have to work late.
Campus Job
Jobs on campus are another fantastic option, for example, at the campus bookstore, school gym or in the library. The pay range for these types of jobs varies by university, but you can often count on flexibility. You may also be able to expand your social circle with your fellow co-workers and enjoy a high level of job satisfaction.
Babysitting/Nanny
Thinking of becoming a teacher, or just enjoy being with kids? Babysitting or becoming a nanny could be a great way to gain job experience and can earn an average of just over $15.00 per hour. Plus, you may have some time to study during kids’ naps or while they’re doing homework.
Impact of COVID-19 on the Job Market
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the job market. Unemployment skyrocketed in 2020, and low-wage workers reported an 11.7% decline in employment from February 2020 to February 2021. Even now that many states are slowly returning to normal, many industries are still struggling to recover.
If you are not ready to return to work for health or other reasons, you can take advantage of opportunities to find jobs for college students online.
Jobs for College Students Online
Jobs online offer many benefits such as flexibility with your schedule and working remotely. Here are some of the best jobs for college students online to consider:
Tutor Online
There are many online tutoring sites that seek out college students as tutors. Using one of these platforms can be a great way to earn a good income while allowing you to safely work remotely and help others.
Virtual Assistant
If you are organized and like working with others, being a virtual assistant could be a great job to broaden your skills and practice your communication skills. Virtual assistants can earn an average of $16-20 per hour depending on your level of experience. Keep in mind, this job may not provide as much flexibility as other remote jobs if your employer requires you to work certain set hours.
Freelance Writer
If you like writing, freelance writing may be a good fit for you. The pay range will depend on your experience, but freelance writing can be done on your own time and can offer a great work-life balance.
Bottom Line
Working while in college can be a great way to earn an income while strengthening skills that you may use in your career.