5 Types of Jobs That College Students Really Want

By Brittany Hawes on September 21, 2017

As a college student, several things will be necessary to consider when you begin your hunt for that perfect job. Before you start your hunt, you should ask yourself what it is you want to gain from a job.

Do you want a job that:

•Allows you to grow and learn new skills?

•Has good pay and will allow you to cover the expenses that come with attending college?

•Will look great on your resume to future employers?

•Welcomes fresh perspectives and allows you to flex your creative side?

•Centers around something that you feel passionate about?

•Allows you to be yourself?

•Encourages you to meet new people and make connections in your work field?

•Offers a flexible work schedule that will mesh well with your course schedule?

After considering the items listed above, compare them to the job that you’re thinking of applying for. Now, read on to find some jobs that offer the listed benefits. These are the jobs that will work with already busy schedules, offer good pay, and will help students grow and thrive in the work field.

Pixabay.com

1. Administrative Assistant

Median Hourly Pay: $12.34

Working as an administrative assistant for a company you’re interested in can be a great way to break into the field. You get to meet virtually everyone working at the company (especially if it’s a smaller company). This is a good chance to make connections in your work field and start to learn the ins and outs of the business.

Hands-on experience will also give you an edge when and if you’re ready to move up the ladder and try for a higher-up position within the business. Another good thing is that many places offer this job as a part-time position, which means it won’t eat away at your study and class time.

Another perk: You will most likely have your own desk!

2. Restaurant Worker (Host/Hostess, Waiter/Waitress, Cook, etc.)

Median Hourly Pay: $9.09

Working at a restaurant gives you a flexible schedule and the chance to work for tips. Tips often outweigh your paycheck, especially if you do a great job and you don’t have to split your tips with the rest of your coworkers that night.

If you’re planning on living off of your tips, I would advise asking a few questions to the hiring manager or, if you know someone working for the restaurant that you’re planning to apply to, asking that person. Ask what their policy on tips is and if you get to keep the tips that you earn from a table or if you’re expected to turn in your tips to your boss so that they can later be split amongst you and your coworkers. Then decide if you’re okay with splitting the tip.

Besides pay and the flexible hours, you’ll get a chance to meet many new faces and bring a little happiness into the lives of the people that walk into your restaurant. If you’re passionate about the food industry, this could be a great job for you.

3. Lyft Driver

Median Hourly Pay: Up to $35/hr, according to the Lyft website

Being able to pick and choose when and where you work sounds like a pretty good time, doesn’t it? Well, this can be made possible for you if you choose to sign up and join the thousands of other people that made the choice to become a Lyft driver. To become a Lyft driver, all you’ll need to do is have a decent vehicle in your possession (one that you don’t mind putting a lot of miles on). Then all you have to do is go to their website and sign up.

This is another job that will work well with your class schedule. You can choose to work nights if you take classes during the day or you can choose to work during the day if your class schedule has you on campus at night. With Lyft, any tip that you earn from your passengers goes directly to you and only you. That means a few extra bucks in your pocket. And as any college student knows, a few extra bucks can be made to go a long way.

4. Private Tutor

Median Hourly Pay: $18.02

As a private tutor, you will be allowed a lot of freedom. You are free to choose which subject you’ll be specializing in and advertise how much money you will be willing to work for per hour in your chosen area. The number of hours that you’re willing to work during a single tutoring session is up to you.

Many students get their start being a tutor by working for a local school or even for a family member or friend. Word-of-mouth will get your services known by more people. In this way, you are going to be able to build up your list of clients over time. Once you get a good amount of clients, you can figure out a weekly schedule that works with classes.

Being a tutor is a rewarding job. You’re going to help students that are struggling in certain subjects break past their barriers and push forward in school.

Pixabay.com

5. Freelance Writer

Median Hourly Pay: $24.25

If you love to write and to research, then you might consider looking into freelance writing. As a freelance writer, you get paid to write up knowledgeable, well-written articles for whoever hires you. For lovers of words, this kind of job could be a dream come true. You can work from home, develop your skills as a writer, and gain some experience.

There are a number of blogging websites you can visit to get your start in freelance work. A good place to begin your hunt for gigs would be the Upwork.com website.

(All median hourly pay numbers were taken from Payscale.com)

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