By: Hong-An Phan
Why choose one when you could have both?
Education is not cheap. It is a well-known fact that college tuition is well out of budget for the majority of students. While some can rely on aid, others may have to apply for scholarships. Some families can offer their support, while others will have to receive loans. No student will have the same financial experience as the other while navigating the world of college, but one similarity that many will share is the desire to make money.
But how can one find the time to balance a job and schooling with such limited hours? Part-time jobs require strict structuring in one’s schedule and are not forgiving when a student may require extra time to prepare for an exam or meet with a peer to discuss their project.
This is where side hustles come into play. Students may be able to have an additional source of income while going to school by managing a low-effort responsibility that can be flexible and easily managed alongside schoolwork.
One of the most popular examples of this is tutoring. While some tutees may want to receive an hour of practice a week, it is ultimately up to the tutor to decide their working hours. This means that it can easily be balanced alongside their coursework and allows for more flexibility than a job in retail or the commercial industry.
Many college students can find tutees on platforms such as Wyzant, Tutor.com, or Fiverr. Depending on personal knowledge and preference for subjects, students can advertise their services depending on the expertise of a certain topic or grade level. For instance, they can promote themselves as a calculus tutor. On the other hand, students who are more comfortable with easier skills can primarily work with middle schoolers.
It is important to also note that payments received may be reflected on the topic or difficulty of the subject being taught. For instance, a tutor who excels in knowledge relating to AP Physics C might be paid more than an elementary school English tutor.
Similar to tutoring, freelancing is a popular choice of work for college students. Those who are well-versed in website creation or social media management can offer their services to businesses that require these skills. Websites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Guru are reputable places for students to find clients and work.
Between tutoring and freelancing, students may be able to up their prices as they build their reputation and experience. These side hustles are a great boost to one’s resume as they show skill and talent in practices that hiring agents may find appealing. Perhaps with some time pursuing these gigs, newly graduated students might find jobs waiting for them from corporations interested in their past business experiences.
Photo by: Andrew Neel, Unsplash.
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