Coming from a small town and moving to a big city, I was shocked by how much money I was spending weekly as a college freshman. I was buying iced lattes and açaí bowls left and right, plus covering all the various expenses that come with living in Florida and attending college, like buying a SunPass, paying for parking downtown and at the beach, purchasing textbooks, going to the movies, attending birthday dinners, and so much more.
I hope this guide will give you the tools necessary to stay afloat financially in college when you have to rely on yourself for income. There are so many fun things to do, see, and accomplish in college, but without a part-time job, I wouldn’t be able to afford any of them. I’m thankful for the resources my college provides to help me build my resume and gain experience in the field I’m studying, all while making an income to pay for iced lattes, gas, plane tickets, and everything in between.
Before College
One piece of advice I wish I had known before starting college is to save money from part-time jobs and graduation gifts to use during your freshman year. Most students don’t get a job right away in school so they can get used to the new lifestyle and focus on their studies. During this time, you’ll want to try so many new things! I went to the beach, movies, restaurants, and coffee shops with my new friends to explore our college town. I started to realize I should have saved more of my grad party money instead of using the majority of it on dorm decorations…
Before Applying
Before applying for jobs, there are a few things you need to help you stand out to employers:
- Resume: Make an appointment with the career center at your college to update your experience, skills, and awards, and to ensure your resume is in the proper format. This is the most important step to getting a job!
- LinkedIn: This social platform allows you to connect with alumni, professors, peers, and future employers in your field. You can also apply for jobs on LinkedIn. Your campus career center should be able to help with this!
- Cover Letter: This is a one-page business letter that conveys your interest in the job position you’re seeking. Not all employers ask for a cover letter, but it’s good to have one ready.
- Career Center: At the college I attend, students have access to the career center for life! They provide many services for students, including career advising, professional headshots, on- and off-campus employment, searching for internships, connecting with future employers through networking events, applying for grad school, and planning for life post-grad. The staff connect students with alumni through the career mentor program, LinkedIn, and internships to learn and gain experience in their field.
On Campus Jobs
If you’re a student without a vehicle, on-campus jobs are a great opportunity to earn extra income. I live off-campus and have a vehicle, but I choose to work a few jobs on campus to fill in gaps in my schedule. It’s important to keep in mind that on-campus jobs typically pay minimum wage, but they come with perks! When you work on campus, you’re working for the school, which means they are usually flexible with your class schedule and don’t require you to work many hours per week. This also means you can have school breaks off, like fall, spring, summer, and Christmas break.
As a student employee, I am paid through Federal Work-Study, which is a type of financial aid that allows you to work up to 20 hours per week on campus through the college. Every college will have different job opportunities, but you’ll usually apply for positions at the beginning of the semester. I am a junior in college studying marketing, and I have had a few different jobs on campus, including:
- Career Center student assistant
- Student ambassador (college tour guide)
- Social media content creator (TikTok and IG)
Other popular job positions and offices at my college include:
- Tutor
- Note taker
- TA
- Waterfront assistant
- Barista
- Recycler
- Farmworker
- Athletics (manager, media, assistant, etc)
- Global education office
- Library work scholar
- Bookstore employee
- Summer job opportunities (internships, part time jobs, etc)
Off Campus Jobs & Internships
If you’re like me, you might prefer to work off-campus to gain more experience, take a break from campus life, and find jobs with higher wages. I have worked numerous jobs during my first two years of college, so I’ve really taken time management to a whole new level when it comes to balancing work, school, study, and leisure time. There are endless job opportunities for college students in my area, but finding the right fit for you can be challenging. I use LinkedIn and Indeed to find employers hiring in my area, but contacting the career center at your college is also a great place to start, as they have career contacts with alumni and professionals in your field.
Popular off campus jobs for students:
- Rover – Dog walking, dog sitting, and boarding
- Care.com – Babysitting, dog sitting, cleaning, and senior care
- Life Guard -Local pools, YMCA, or even college campus
- Tutor
- Beverage Cart Attendant – This was such a fun job!
- Bartending
- Barista – check out my Top 8 Coffee Shops in St Pete
- Hostess/Server
Remote Work
- Digital Marketing – HELLO TikTok shop and influencer marketing!
- Network marketing
- Virtual Assistant
- Customer Service Rep
- Remote internships
To learn more about job opportunities and how you can stand out, make an appointment with the career center at your college, attend networking events, and take opportunities to build your resume!