When you are working toward a college degree, you don’t have much spare time — and much of that time away from courses and studying should probably be spent earning money to pay your tuition and student loans.
However, as tempting as it might be to choose a part-time job that pays the best, you might also consider putting time and effort into a job that feels fulfilling and perhaps provides an on-the-job experience that can contribute to your future career.
If you are a caring person looking to enter the workforce in a field dedicated to helping people, you might consider applying for any of the following part-time jobs during your next semester.
Tutoring
If you tend to excel in a certain field of study, you might offer your expertise to other students who are struggling to grasp the skills and concepts you have mastered. Areas like math, writing, foreign languages, technology, and more are often areas where college students need extra assistance.
Many colleges have tutoring centers that allow students to seek help from other students, but you can also offer private tutoring services to a select number of tutees. You should be able to fit tutoring sessions into your current class schedule, and you can take on as many or as few hours as you can handle given your current academic workload.
Medical Admin
If you are interested in a healthcare career, it might be wise for you to gain some experience in a healthcare space during your time as a student.
While many roles in healthcare require specialized training and credentials, you should be able to find part-time work as a medical administrative assistant, which is a professional that provides administrative support such as checking in patients, organizing records, communicating with insurance providers, and the like.
You can take online medical admin assistant courses to further prepare you for this role, which might earn you slightly higher pay and give you greater access to the healthcare information and spaces that interest you.
Crisis Hotline Responder
Though some crisis hotlines are staffed on an all-volunteer basis, others do offer paid positions.
Even better, some crisis hotlines do not require you to commute to a call center but instead route incoming calls to your phone, so you can provide support and care from the comfort of your own home.
Often, crisis hotlines need additional work late at night, which is good for college students who may naturally keep later hours. You may need to participate in some on-the-job training to ensure that you can provide appropriate guidance to those who are looking for help.
Personal Trainer
Every state has different rules and regulations governing who can provide personal training services, but if you have quite a bit of knowledge and skill in fitness and exercise, you can probably take on clients, lead classes, or otherwise spin your expertise into a part-time job.
You may be able to connect with clients on social media or via your college’s digital or physical bulletin boards, or you may find it easier to work through a gym or physical therapist’s office.
In any case, you should avoid taking on any high-risk clients with unique health conditions unless you are willing to seek advanced certifications or acquire insurance.
Esthetician
An esthetician is a professional who helps clients look better and feel better about their physical appearance.
Often, estheticians work in salons or spas providing services like facials and waxing. Perhaps surprisingly, estheticians must be licensed by their state, which means you may need to fit an accredited esthetics program into your college course schedule.
However, if you feel passionate about helping others achieve the appearance and confidence they deserve, you might consider pursuing a career in medical esthetics, which allows you to perform procedures such as Botox injections, laser hair removal, and more.
Chaplain
Many individuals desire spiritual support but cannot attend a regular religious service. If you feel a deep spiritual calling — but have no strong connection to any specific religion — you may serve these individuals as a chaplain.
Chaplains visit hospital rooms, care homes, prisons, and personal residences to provide spiritual guidance to those in need.
You may find chaplain positions through individual institutions, or you can join a chaplain organization to connect with members of your community in need of spiritual aid.
You have more free time as a college student than you might expect, and if you can fill some of that time with a paying job related to your passions, you will gain valuable life experience that can help you on your career path.