Finding An Online Career as a College Student

It’s tough to be a college student, especially these days. Not only has the cost of college risen exponentially, but a student just learning how to balance her budget may need a little extra help to make it to the end of the week.

What do you do, then, when you need that extra cash? You apply for a part-time job, of course.

But if you’re interested in making money without leaving your dorm room, you can leave your application for the local pizza joint behind. Instead, check out online jobs college students can apply for.

Getting Started: Online Jobs for College Students

Whether you’re looking to gain experience before graduating or you want a little extra cash to buy pizza on Friday night, you can save on stress by searching for an online job. These kinds of gigs are ideal for college students, as you’ll be able to make money online without having to divide your time between an office and your campus.

What kind of jobs, though, can you get if you want to work online? As it turns out, plenty! The job market has recently taken a dramatic shift toward the digital, which means more positions than ever can be performed remotely.

That said, there are some jobs that have been done online since the advent of the Internet. If you want to start exploring your options, consider applying to be a:

  • Virtual assistant
  • Data analyst
  • Freelance writer or content creator
  • Ghostwriter
  • Data entry assistant
  • WordPress blogger
  • Tutor
  • Transcriptionist
  • Search engine evaluator 

Worried that you may not have the skill set to fit into any of these positions? You’re actually more likely to be equipped for a freelancing career than you think. If you have experience writing papers, working in a lab, or thinking critically about data, then you’ll have skills to include on a resume.

The last thing you want to do, especially when you’re in need of a little extra cash, is talk yourself out of applying for a position you may actually be qualified for.

Where to Look For Online Jobs College Students Are Great For

So you’ve decided to apply for a part-time job online. Who’s hiring?

If you’re just starting out, you’ll want to take advantage of some of the bigger names in job hunting. This means using platforms like: 

  • Indeed
  • Upwork
  • Fiverr
  • Clickworker
  • Lionbridge
  • Tutor.com 

You can even head onto Craigslist to see what kind of gigs or remote careers might be available in your area. Don’t be afraid to branch out, either – you may not live in New York City, for example, but you’re far more likely to find an ad for a remote gig on the NYC Craigslist than you are on, say, the one for Bloomington, Illinois.

During this stage of your job hunt, don’t be afraid to be flexible. If you’re looking for writing jobs, remember: social media managers do a lot of writing on a daily basis, as do technical writers for pharmaceutical companies. Alternatively, if you want to work as a tutor, check out what community colleges in your area might be looking for someone to remotely man their writing centers.

When it comes to working remotely as a college student, you’ve got to be creative. Keep your skills in mind, but don’t be afraid to explore the different opportunities that come your way.

How Can You Make Money Online?

That said, you don’t always have to apply for a job to earn money online. If you’re more interested in making a passive income, there are plenty of ways to do so online. A number of platforms, including Swagbucks, let you earn points that you can eventually cash in for gift cards to your favorite outlets. All you have to do, in return, is watch videos, play games or take surveys. Survey Junkie is another platform that’s ideal for students looking to make extra money without leaving their dorm rooms.

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Working From Home: Tips and Tricks

That said, working from home – or your dorm – as a college student isn’t always easy. You don’t want to over-commit yourself to a part-time job while classes are still going, even if it is work you’re doing remotely. Search for all the jobs you like, but remember to balance your workload. It’s often easier to use platforms like Swagbucks to make a few extra dollars than it is to commit to, say, freelance work with seven to ten clients.

Don’t be afraid of the side hustle, but keep your skills and your personal limitations in mind. If you do your research, you’ll find yourself working a satisfying job, gaining professional experience, and banking a little extra dough in no time at all.

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