Need income during college? Here are 21 part-time jobs that can work with your schedule and offer a range of perks.

College is one of the most transformative times of your life. You’ll experience responsibility for your own finances and schedule, likely for the first time. While that taste of freedom is exhilarating, school and living expenses can quickly pile up – but a part-time job can help.

Working part-time hours during college will help you build work history and experience, preparing you for the job market after graduation. Part-time jobs can reduce the debt you graduate with, too, setting you up for financial success at an early age.

21 Part-Time Jobs for College Students

The following jobs are well-suited to college students. While this list is thorough, the actual job listings in your area are liable to differ. Use it as inspiration for your job hunt, helping you identify interesting fields or potential opportunities.

Working part-time jobs during college provides steady income, builds work experience, and could give you a leg up after you graduate.

  1. Movie Theater Crew
    Movie theaters are open late and busy on weekends, so it’s easy to arrange a schedule around class times. They usually offer a fun environment, too, and chances are that you’ll meet other students while working, giving you a chance to make friends. Your responsibilities could include cleaning, working the concession stand, or checking tickets, so it’s also a fairly low-key, entry-level position.
  1. Gym or Rec Center Associate
    Your campus’s rec center or a 24-hour gym in your town will offer flexible schedules as well, and you’ll meet a variety of fellow students. If you work off-campus, the gym may offer a free or discounted membership, giving you a chance to work out stress and prioritize your health. Responsibilities could include checking gym-goers in and out, signing guests up for memberships, or cleaning equipment.
  1. Freelance Writer
    If you’re studying English, literature, or creative writing, you’ll jump at this chance. Freelance writing positions allow you to work from home as an independent contractor, meaning you set your own hours and have control over the jobs you do. You can contract with a company, or you can use job bid sites to pick up a variety of work as you please. If you’re planning to go into writing, editing, or even teaching, this will add invaluable experience to your resume while building your skills, delivering professional feedback on your work, and building your bank account.
  1. Virtual Assistant
    This is another work-from-home opportunity that allows you to set your own hours. A virtual assistant may help with managing email and social media accounts, arranging travel, or completing paperwork for clients. You can work with a company, serving multiple clients, or you can contract with one person or office in particular.
  1. Bank Teller
    If you’re going into the field of finance, business, or management, this will look good on your resume. Bank hours are less flexible, but if your classes are grouped into one part of the day – like the morning – then you can set your availability to afternoons. You’ll gain experience working with money, managing accounts, and serving customers or members, all of which add spice to a resume.
  1. Tutor
    Offering your services as a tutor to younger students – like those in middle or high school – has several benefits. You’ll have complete control over whom you tutor, when you have sessions, and how much you charge, making it ideal for college students. If you plan to go into teaching or childcare, this will also fit well into your resume.
  1. Dining Hall Attendant
    Working at your on-campus dining hall may not seem glamorous, but it’s reliable income. Since it’s on campus, you’ll work around your classes, and you’ll meet interesting faculty and fellow students. You may serve food, help prep or cook, wash dishes, or keep the dining area tidy. It’s not uncommon to get a free meal for each shift you work, too, which can reduce your food costs.
  1. Babysitter
    Babysitters are often most needed on weekends or late nights, which can work well with your schedule. If you advertise on local job boards or social media, your workload will likely be steady, and you’ll have flexibility over your hours and pay rate. It’s an excellent part-time job for those majoring in education or childcare, and you can even get some studying done when the kids are sleeping.
  1. Pet Sitter or Walker
    Pet sitters may not be quite as high in demand as babysitters, but they’re still needed – especially overnight or on weekends when people travel. You’ll get to meet cute animals, set your own rates, and study freely while pet sitting. You can supplement these services by offering walking services, too, which will keep you active and offers flexible hours. They’re great positions for veterinary students.
  1. Cleaner
    If you like to stay busy and have a knack for details, offering cleaning services might be a great fit for you. You can clean fellow students’ dorms or off-campus homes. You’ll be able to set your own schedule and rate, and you can adjust your workload as your school or budgeting needs change throughout the year. The skills required – such as time management, attention to detail, and communication – are universal, coming in handy for any future job.
  1. Hotel Receptionist
    If you’re going into business, hospitality, or another people-oriented field, a hotel receptionist position will hone relevant skills, like problem-solving, multitasking, customer service, and communication. You’ll meet a variety of people, and because hotels are open around-the-clock, it’ll be easy to get part-time hours that work with your classes.
  1. Ride-Hailing Driver
    If you’ve got your own car, sign up to be a driver for a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft. You’ll work from the comfort of your car, get to explore your city, and meet interesting people. You’ll have full control over your hours, too.
  1. Food Delivery Driver
    Whether it’s pizza or a delivery service that operates similarly to ride-hailing, you’ll get many of the same benefits as being a ride-hailing driver. If you do work for a specific restaurant or food place, your schedule might not be quite as flexible, but your employer should still be able to work around your classes and may offer free food as a benefit. Plus, you’ll get to take home cash tips each night, creating a steady flow of income.
  1. Restaurant/Bar Worker
    Working as a host, server, or busser is a challenging but rewarding position, and the environment is often fast-paced, interactive, and thrilling. If you’re good with people, you’ll make decent tips, and late nights and weekends will be busiest, which works best around most classes.
  1. Residence Hall Receptionist
    If you want a convenient job that understands your school needs and lets you interact with fellow students, look into becoming a receptionist for your dorm. You’ll be responsible for tasks like providing directions to students and guests, acting as a source of general campus information, and supporting other staff in the residence hall.
  1. Library Assistant
    Majoring in library sciences, literature, or English? Try becoming a library assistant on campus. You will be surrounded by books and will better understand library and information systems. You’ll help students and support staff, and you’ll aid in maintaining the library and the books, all of which will beautifully accentuate the above degrees.
  1. Retail Associate or Stocker
    These are common entry-level positions that offer broad skill-building, including time management and communication skills, which are beneficial to all careers. The schedules tend to be flexible and offer steady pay, and if you need overnight work, roles like overnight stocker or janitor may be available.
  1. Pharmacy Assistant
    If you want to go into medicine – or if you’re not sure of a career path yet – consider a pharmacy assistant position, working weekends or evenings. You’ll fetch medications for customers, check them out, and support the pharmacist in daily operations. It’s relevant to medical careers, and it offers growth opportunities. Some pharmacies will cover the cost of certifications and training for advanced roles, like pharmacy tech, for long-term employees.
  1. Barista
    Love coffee? Work as a barista at your local or on-campus coffee shop. You’ll meet a variety of people, learn to make your favorite drinks, and have a flexible schedule, with the added perk of free coffee. If you work on campus, you’ll be close to your classes and meet other students, too.
  1. Department Student Worker
    Most college departments have positions specifically for students. Speak to the administrator of the department your major falls under about open positions. You may be able to land a role in the office, where you can greet guests, answer phones, sort mail, help with department projects, and support faculty. It’s a fantastic way to make connections within your major.
  1. Transcriber (Oral to Written)
    A transcriber listens to audio recordings and types them out into written form. If you can type quickly and easily process auditory information, this could be an ideal role for you. It’s usually remote, online work, and you’re able to set your own hours, picking up work as you need it.

Making It Count

With a part-time job, you can say goodbye to the “broke college student” trope. While you might not be rolling in dough, it can give you some breathing room when budgeting. You may meet incredible people, make professional connections, and build a strong foundation for your career.

If you want to work during college, speak with your financial institution to see how it can affect your financial aid. Earning income may reduce the amount of aid you receive. The right financial team can help you create an optimal financial plan for your college years.

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