6 Great Ways to Earn Money While in School
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. The events
usually take place over the weekend, so this type of work will rarely conflict with
a school 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 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 in school.
Product Promotion
Yet another virtually untapped network of opportunity. 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. This type of
work is fun and easy as it usually only requires knowledge of the product, enthusiasm,
and well developed people skills. Also, the scheduling is flexible as 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 the 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 your university's bulletin. 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 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.