54 Summer and Part-Time Job Ideas for College Students
Many students find themselves in need of extra income to help pay for school or other expenses. Luckily, there are plenty of part time jobs that students can do to earn some extra cash!
Read on for 54 summer and part-time job ideas and suggestions!
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1) Tutor
If you have a subject that you love (such as math), why not help other students! Decide an age/level you think you could help with and go for it. Between your local school board and online, there are tons of options. Many colleges also have peer tutor programs, too. Here, students who do well in a class (aka you) can teach those who might be struggling with classes you may have excelled in last year. This is also a great way of getting to know students in other years if you have a course that doesn't tend to mingle a lot.
2) Pet Sitting
It's not just for kids! In fact, many people prefer someone more mature looking after their favourite housemates in the event that something DOES go dreadfully wrong. Petsitting can range from a daily pop-in to make sure they're fed to fully live-in situations, so it truly is a very flexible option...which might also come with the occasional vacation!
3) Dog Walking
This is a great way to get outside, get some exercise and earn a few dollars in the process. You may see lots of professionals walking multiple animals at once, but if this isn't your speed, don't worry! Yes, you will get paid more for multiple dogs, but it doesn't mean you might not find the absolute perfect deal with a neighbour.
4) Fitness Instructor (or Personal Trainer)
Most gyms offer free trial memberships for students, so it's worth checking out a bunch of different types of fitness classes before picking what you want to do. If you want to work at a formal gym, you may require some sort of certification, but don't rule it out just yet! If teaching group fitness is your goal, and if the classes follow a given framework (such as Goodlife or Zumba), and the certification may be easier than you’d think. It’s also a great part-time job to keep up after even once your “real job” starts.
5) Gym Associate
If you found a home at the gym but don't think you're up for teaching a class, a gym associate position might be right for you. Most of these positions involve signing people in, handing out towels, enrolling new clients, giving gym tours and a bit of light cleaning. If you love the gym, but don't want to put in the hours to learn how to teach, this may be the perfect opportunity for you!
6) Camp Counsellor
Like kids? Want to get paid to play games with them all day? While some people may cringe at the thought of this, but others may find this the absolutely best job ever. Some camps even require their counsellors to be enrolled in post-secondary education, so the pool of applicants may be smaller than you'd think.
7) Sell eBooks
Have something to say? Why not write it down and make a bit of cash while you're doing it. While this isn't a get-rich-quick scheme, it certainly gives you the possibility of earning some passive income after some initial hard work. Who wouldn't want that??? Amazon has a really simple eBook selling platform for anyone who's new and wants the easiest entry point.
8) Cleaner
Do you enjoy the feeling of completing a task at the end of every job? If the answer to that is yes, house cleaning might be right for you. Whether you go through an agency or go totally freelance, it's a fabulously flexible job that can totally work around your schedule. You can also set things up so you use the client cleaning supplies instead of your own, so you don't have to lug a vacuum cleaner or anything. Either start by giving your friend's apartment a makeover or else find a company that will train you before you venture out on your own. Hotels are a great place to start, too!
9) Delivery Driver
If you'd rather spend most of your time with yourself instead of doing customer service, this is the perfect part-time job. You can either work for a specific store or work for a specific company that just does deliveries (such as Skip the Dishes). Bonus points if you have a licence that's above a standard passenger vehicle, and super double bonus points if you live in a solidly bike-able area. Just make sure that whatever you're driving, you're comfortable parking, changing lanes and doing many left turns. You'll be doing a lot of navigation on the fly, so be prepared to get lost a lot!
10) Uber/Lyft Driver
If you still want to drive, but don't mind being face-to-face with strangers, driving people around is another great option. It is quite possibly one of the most convenient jobs ever because you literally just set yourself to available whenever you're around and would like to work. Just be warned that once the fee is agreed to, you don't make extra money time-wise. So...don't get stuck in traffic, or else your profits will plummet!
11) Personal Assistant
To make this one totally flexible, it might take a little bit of luck and being in the right place at the right time...but it CAN totally work if you find the right client! There's also a decent possibility you'll learn other monetize-able skills along the way in this job.
12) Host / Hostess
Want to see if the serving industry is the place for you? This is the perfect way to get your feet wet. You'll be taking reservations, seating customers, and you might even eventually get roped into bussing (aka bringing things to and from the tables).
13) Serving
If you're ready for an upgrade from hostessing and bussing, this is the next logical step. This job can be a goldmine if you find the right gig and are awesome at it, or else you can end up poor and feeling like the dirt beneath everyone's shoes. Stand your ground. If wherever you're working isn't treating you like a valuable human, the money isn't worth it. If you find the perfect place, however, congratulations! Lots of people love this job and make tons of money doing it.
14) Bartending
If you know your beverages, this will be the job for you. It's less running around than serving, and you'll often get even better tips!
Baristas are a great option, too, but they tend to be lower paid unless you’re somewhere pretty swanky.
15) Catering Staff
This goes hand in hand with the other serving things, but it's way less commitment and responsibility. You'll usually be working as a part of a huge team, so if you need to call in sick on account of an imperative study night, this will be much less guilt-ridden. It won't be paid as well, though...so the freedom comes with its caveat, I guess.
16) Tour Guide
If you live in a tourist destination, tour guiding is an awesome way to make some money. While there may be a bit of a learning curve when you first start, you'll find confidence in no time! The bus will take the same route every time, so you'll get to know the random facts pretty quickly.
17) Brand Ambassador
This sound super fancy and official, but really, it's not.....or at least it doesn't have to be. A brand ambassador is someone who gets hired to represent and plug a specific company or product...but they usually have only been trained on the one thing they're talking about. Jobs like handing out flyers and samples come under this heading...so does surveying and mailing-list sign ups.
Pro tip: getting someone off the street to give you their personal info is really hard...so those jobs aren't highly recommended. Either go for the promos that are handing out free stuff/paper, or else ones at events where people had to register to attend. It’s much easier to find willing humans in a place where they sign up TO sign up for things.
18) Social Media Manager
Some people go to school for this one, but if you're a social media natural, that might be all you need. People will pay money to get someone else to manage their Instagram account. Understand best practices for captions and hashtags and that might be all you need. Just don't claim to be able to do anything you don't know how to, and don't pay for fake engagement!
19) Painting (Like, houses)
The great thing about this one is that companies will usually train you. As long as you're an easy-going, hard worker, you'll be great!
20) Retail
This one's not the most glamorous, but it certainly does the trick. You will learn a lot of valuable skills along the way with this one…whether they’re positive or negative. Aim to either work at a store you have interest in (though not SO interested that you'll spend your entire pay check there), or else one that you can call in sick with little-to-no guilt.
21) House Sitting
Take care of other people's houses while they're away. If you're lucky, you may even be able to get away with not paying rent for a while because you'll have a place to stay for free! Keep plants alive, keep pets alive, and make sure there aren't random crazy things happening with their house (which seem to be most common when nobody's home). You won’t always have to live there, either - sometimes they just need someone to come in and out enough to make it look like somebody's home.
22) Affiliate Marketing
How popular are you? If you have a following, you might be able to monetize it. You can do this through a blog, through a YouTube channel, or even right through social media. Once you find and qualify for an affiliate program for products you love, all you have to do is convince people to buy those things, and you'll earn a commission from every sale you inspire. Don't get too carried away, though - lying won't get you very far.
23) Event Staff
Is there a fair coming up in your area? How about conventions? Or concerts? Think you can handle spending a whole day telling people where the bathroom is? Every event needs staff, and a lot of them. The only thing with events is they tend to not be as flexible, and they do often involve long days. Only commit to them if you'd be willing/able to commit to working the entire thing.
24) Background Acting
Have you ever noticed that in movies, there are often people in the background? Yeah, all of those people are paid. Days are long and can be boring, and you usually have to show up with a few clothing options (they'll give you a sense of what to bring when you're booked), but it can be a pretty cool job sometimes! Go on a deep dive of some local actor pages to find out about how to get involve in any local opportunities. Oh yeah - and don’t be scared of the “acting” part…no acting is usually required...
25) Intern
If you're going to school for something specific, look into whether any future dream companies are hiring for intern positions. The sooner you can start a working relationship, the better. If you are truly serious about a company, it never hurts to ask whether they have a job posting or not. You never know.
26) Babysitting
This is a common one for students. If you enjoy hanging out with kids, it's a no-brainer! Though you may think you've aged out of this one by the time you get to college (younger kids are cheaper to hire), sometimes parents prefer someone a bit more mature. Just be prepared to have a little more competition in the market once summer break starts!
27) Temp Work
Temp work is great in that it often doesn't require much experience, and you'll be able to only select work that fits into your schedule. Once you're committed, it can be difficult to get yourself out of it, though, so only commit to what you can commit to.
28) Freelancing
Do you have other marketable skills? Maybe freelancing's your best option. Proofreading, transcription, translation, writing...most skills have SOME form of freelance work. Set up a website or advertise your services and see what happens! You might need to find a few buddies who want something done for free first, though...positive reviews are the hands down best way to attract new clients!
29) Fiverr
If naked freelancing is a little overwhelming, there are also freelance websites where you can find clients. Fiverr is an online marketplace for freelance digital services. You can find people willing to pay you to design their logos, do some transcription work or voiceover projects, create a new logo for their blog and more. If you have a skill that can be completed via the computer, this site is an awesome place to start!
30) Etsy
Etsy is a marketplace for people to sell creative goods. If you're an artist, put your work up on Etsy and see if it sells! Just make sure that the item fits into one of their categories before you get too carried away. Once you have your Etsy store set up, look into selling your crafts locally as well in case you can find customers you don't have to ship to.
31) Teach Online
If you're an expert on something, why not give people the opportunity to learn from you? There are tons of platforms for doing this these days. You can make your own website or use something like Outschool that also gives you a marketplace so you don't have to do ALL of the advertising leg-work.
32) Online Course Creator
If you don't like teaching courses live (or are afraid to go on stage), don't give up teaching hope! Platforms like Udemy or Teachable give teachers an option to pre-record their course so it can be watched by the student at any time. This is perfect for anyone who knows they know stuff, but aren't confident in their abilities to deliver everything in the moment (or don't want to tie themselves to a specific schedule).
Once you know what kind of course you want to create, your next big question will be how much of a following you think you have to sell it. Marketplace-type sites give you better discoverability (people come to that site, and search for courses like yours), but those kind of sites also tend to have lower price-tagged courses, and lower margins.
33) Dealer (Casino)
This one is a little out of the norm, but if you get good at it, it can really be a cool trick up your sleeve! Before you start thinking it's super simple, there IS an art to it…but once you've got it, you're good to go. Dealers don't ONLY work at casinos, either. There are many event companies who hire dealers to work at private functions (like weddings and office parties) as well.
34) Standardized Patient
There are a range of positions in this field, but essentially these roles are people who pretend to be patients for student doctors. Usually you are given a scenario with a few simple details, and you might have a couple specific things you have to say. While it may sound complex and doctor-ey, the entry-level scenarios are generally very straight forward. It's usually much less intimidating to start than one would expect. There are more advanced scenarios for sure, but they tend to be given to more advanced SPs. If you can go into a doctor and remember how to explain what's wrong with you, you can certainly handle this job.
35) Writer
When you think of writers, you probably picture someone who has a degree in literature and writes novels for years before they have anything published. That's definitely not always the case, though! There are many different types of writing jobs out there - from marketing copy to blogs to scripts for TV shows. It really doesn't matter what your major is because chances are, something will apply to you. If working on something creative makes your brain happy, then this might definitely be a side hustle to keep around!
36) Remote Customer Service Representative
Now, doesn't this sound fun? Yeah, it's not always...but it's remote, so that's a huge bonus! At least you can pretend to be happy all day while cuddling your tea in your pjs.
37) Library Assistant
Working in a library has many perks. It's the best way to find out about all the hidden gems that everyone else seems to find before you. Plus, libraries are usually open late and the quiet atmosphere is great when you need some time all by yourself!
38) Graphic Designer
If you know your way around Photoshop or Illustrator, this one's for you. While you might not be able to compete with the pros yet, there are still lots of entry-level gigs out there once you have a portfolio and are sending the word out into the world.
39) Rent a Room
You may have thought the only way to rent out your apartment was to do just that: rent out your whole apartment. While that may be an option, it may not be feasible to find an alternate house for YOU to sleep in for those times. Instead, look into renting your room. There are now couch-surfing-type companies where young nomads are looking for short-stay options in shared spaces. Rent your couch, or better yet, rent out your room and YOU sleep on the couch!
40) Sell your Notes
This one certainly wasn't around in my day! If you make awesome notes for your course, you may want to look up these databases of course notes. Some influencers even sell them directly from their Instagram!
41) Sell Unnecessary Things
If you're the type of person who has a closet full of T-shirts, skirts, and cds gathering dust, it may be time to take inventory and clear some things out. Try selling these items on social media or at a local consignment shop! You'll have some quick cash in hand for Christmas gifts before summer break is over.
42) Hotel Desk Associate
If you don't mind customer service, hotels can be a pretty classy place to get some real-world experience. Professionalism is of the utmost importance, but if that's you, this may be your perfect part-time job.
43) Landscaping Assistant
If you'd rather be up to your knees in dirt and weeds than customers, you may have found your calling. Working in landscaping doesn't have to mean you know a thing or two about plants, though, all you really need to be able to do is follow directions well. If you don't mind a little manual labour, this might possibly be the perfect thing (for the summer, anyways...)
44) Agriculture Worker
This one’s quite location-dependent, but if you’re in a place that grows food-type things, they are always looking for help to harvest and pack.
45) Tree Planter
If you’re just finding out about this now, it’s probably too late for you for this year…but maybe keep it in mind for next year. People can make a fabulous living at it, especially after their first season.
46) Resort Worker
Plenty of resorts and hotels hire full-time live-in staff for their busy seasons. The other bonus? On days off, you are in a beautiful resort location already. This one’s the perfect job if you don’t have your student housing over the summer and don’t want to find temporary housing for while you’re not in school.
47) Companion
Old people need help, too! If you have a love of seniors, you might really love the chance to help one with their day-to-day tasks. Maybe all someone needs is someone to retrieve their mail. Maybe they just need someone to come in and cook dinner for them. Maybe they need someone to shop for them once a week and sit and have tea for the afternoon. Everyone ages differently, so there's no saying what your job might be able to be.
48) Receptionist
There are all sorts of companies that have receptionists, and if you're great with customer service, this might be the perfect option. There's usually quite a bit of variety in one's day because they are a liaison in many different processes. With that being said, it's still often considered an entry-level position, and it might just be the right thing for you.
49) Mystery Shopper
These jobs seem to be as mysterious as their title suggests, but nonetheless they do exist. Perhaps if you're super spunky, you'll find one of these positions. Basically, you get paid to go shopping and then give feedback on your experience.
50) Transcription
Get paid to listen to audio and write what you hear. The fees for this have been getting driven down lately, but nonetheless it is still a way to flexibly earn some money. For the most part, you're able to accept things on a contract basis, so it can be worked around a tight schedule, too. If you want to be paid a bit better, learn some professional terminology. There is more money in legal and medical transcription.
51) Translation
Now, this one definitely requires a genuine second skill, but it is one that many people have. If you speak a second language, this may be a fabulous way of making some part-time income.
52) Teaching English
If you don't think you can teach ANYTHING, you can probably still teach English (or whatever your fluent language is) online. Companies might even give you a complete curriculum to follow so you don't need to know the fundamentals of HOW to teach...as long as you can be engaging and follow the instructions they give you. The right company for you will depend on your specific case. Some have location requirements, some require a degree, some require a TEFL certificate, and some only have a base age and a fluency requirement. Search around - you’re sure to find something.
53) Wearhouse Worker
This one's great if you don't like working directly with clients. All you need to do is put your head down and do your job. Just watch out for big machinery and stay safe!
54) Carwash Attendant
If you don't mind getting a little wet sometimes, a car wash can be a fun place to work. Customers are generally in a good mood when they go there, and you'll usually have a fun partner in crime.
Have any more ideas?
Being a student is expensive and time consuming…which makes it difficult, but necessary to work. Even if you can only spare a few extra hours a week, you're sure to be able to find SOMETHING that will fit in your schedule.
Got any other ideas? Share them with @aplusacademicsathome on Insta!
Who is Nadya Corscadden?
Nadya holds an MA in Musical Theatre and is no stranger to the home learning scene. Having spent a good chunk of her younger years in distance education (and opting for some correspondence electives at university), she has accumulated many tricks to help maintain focus and inspiration. She has a passion for independent learning and wants to help anyone and everyone find their stride in this atmosphere whether it’s homeschooling or simply studying for that next big test!
She is also a triple threat singer, dancer and actress….and can’t wait until stages are alive again!
If you’d like to make sure she’s able to continue creating awesome content like this, please consider donating to her tea fund:
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