College is such a time of change and responsibility that it can be difficult to imagine adding another obligation to your plate of commitments: this one being the looming consideration of finding a job while still participating as a full- or part-time student. However, if you have decided to take on the task of acquiring a job while in college, the fortunate news is that there are an abundance of positions available that vary with time and level of commitment. Specific offerings and availability are likely to differ from institution to institution, so it is always worth exploring the options that are unique to your school through the employment office or a personalized advising session as you begin your research. With that in mind, here are a few classic and widely-available positions to browse as you consider which have the potential to align with your goals!
On-Campus Employment Opportunities
- Research Assistant/Teaching Assistant: These positions are popular for students who are aware of a certain subject that they are passionate about and wish to explore it more through hands-on experience. The opportunity to work alongside a professor in a laboratory or classroom setting provides a stable environment to share one’s knowledge with their peers and educators alike.
- Library Assistant/Media and Circulation Desk Help: For students who seek a calm and mindful environment, working as a library media assistant provides just that while also allowing employees to learn more about communications and media. A bonus of working as a library assistant is that there is often time to study during slower shifts!
- Resident Assistant (RA): These are the figures behind all that keeps a residence hall running smoothly! After applying and becoming approved, resident assistants (typically upperclassmen or graduate students) will live in residence halls on campus, providing opportunities for community building, acting as a resource for students who are seeking peer support, and maintain an on-call status for emergencies or general mishaps within the building. RA’s typically also receive free or discounted room and board charges, sometimes paired with a meal plan or stipend depending on their school’s individual policy.Â
Off-Campus Employment OpportunitiesÂ
- Tutor: For those who wish to expand their knowledge of a subject to the greater public, tutoring is a valuable opportunity to forge connections with other members of a community while providing an educational resource, either to younger kids or to peers of the same age group. Tutoring positions are also frequently available as on-campus opportunities through a school’s counseling or academic assistance office.Â
- Barista or Server: Two of the quintessential college jobs, working one of these positions in food service is a secure way to gain an income (and tips!) while benefiting from flexible hours depending on a person’s schedule and the time required for their commute. Many students seek this type of position as a way to make money in the evenings or weekends, when customer engagement is high at restaurants and cafés.
- Customer Service Representative: For students who are interested in gaining experience in a business and communications field, both local and remote positions will offer a chance for students to gain an income in a professional setting that showcases high resumé potential.
Remote and Digital Employment Opportunities
- Freelance Writer/Copyeditor: Students who wish to pursue a career in journalism, publishing, or storytelling in general may find these types of positions – which may involve writing articles or branding content on a personalized schedule – to be ideal for adding work experience to a resumĂ© while maintaining a low-stakes time commitment with their college routine.Â
- Social Media Intern/Campus Representative: Mixing content creation with creativity and time management, these positions can fluctuate from working for large-scale brands to remaining local at one campus for outreach help. Both approaches utilize similar scales and are greatly appreciated by either party!
While this list is just a few ideas from countless more options, I hope that it can provide some insight into the different types of positions and offerings that are found on and around a typical college campus. Even though the prospect of beginning work may sound daunting, remember that there are a multitude of resources around you to assist in selecting and upholding an employment opportunity. College is a time of discovery – and one (or a few!) of these options may provide a unique insight into the future that’s just right for you!