Six Great Ways to Earn Money in College

Convention Centers

Convention centers host weekend seminars, events, and conferences that require them to hire staff for temporary positions. The pay is typically higher than an average part-time job (up to $18 an hour) and the schedule is yours to make. (Yes! Time management!) The events usually take place over the weekend, so this type of work will rarely conflict with your class schedule. And the good news? If you don't like the job, it usually ends in a day or two!

Telemarketing Opportunities

It may not be your dream job, but then again, the work opportunities available to college students rarely are. Some telemarketing jobs actually allow you to work from your home (or dorm) if you have access to the Internet and phone. If you have a knack for sales and a thick skin, telemarketing could be just the right job for you while you are attending college.

Product Promotion

Yet another virtually untapped network of opportunity...but a great one for students with access to a vehicle. There are thousands of products that companies hire young adults to promote a variety of products — from cellular phones to energy drinks. Product promotion pays up to $20 an hour and the work is fun and easy as it usually only requires knowledge of the product, enthusiasm, and well-developed communication skills. Also, the scheduling is flexible because the promotional opportunities usually run through the weekend.

Retail Sales

For college students who can devote 20 hours or so each week to work, retail sales is a great opportunity that builds many important skills. If you are working on a business or marketing degree a position as a sales associate is also helpful to list on your resume. An additional benefit is the opportunity to earn commission: If you are good at connecting with customers, anticipating their needs, and providing excellent service, a commission-based job may be the best option for you, as it will allow you to determine how much you earn based on your abilities.

Babysitting

You might have thought that the days of changing diapers and playing hide and seek were over, but don't remove yourself from this job market just yet. In college, there are many opportunities to work as a part-time nanny or to baby-sit for the children of a professor. Such opportunities can be found on university bulletin boards and in the school newspaper. Residents also hire students to watch their children as well, in an effort to support a local university. The compensation is typically more than fair, at times even competitive.

Participating in Drug Studies Through Your University

Such medical studies typically guarantee that the students who participate won't suffer drastic side effects, so look into your university's research programs if you are interested in participating. You might even get lucky and end up in the test group that receives the placebo treatment. Either way, you'll receive compensation: Students are usually paid several hundred dollars over the course of the study.