Summer Jobs for College Students: 7 Ways to Get Paid

Last Updated on November 14, 2021

Summer jobs for students are great ways to earn a little extra cash between semesters. While some are updated versions of jobs your parents may have worked, others are fairly modern. Here, we'll take a look at 7 of the best ways to get paid this summer.

Freelance Writing

Freelance writing is some of the most flexible summer jobs for college students. While you won't earn much – high-paying jobs are usually reserved for established authors, experts in their fields and staff writers – you can make some cash. As a bonus, you don't even have to get out of your pajamas!

To get started, check out websites such as The Barefoot Writer or Freelance Writing. Be sure to determine your strengths before you begin applying. After all, there's no point in vying for a job blogging about cars if your automotive knowledge doesn't extend past paint color.

Serving

Waiting tables – or working behind a cash register – is perhaps the oldest group of summer jobs for college students. Like any type of job, it has its disadvantages, but plenty of advantages as well.

As a server in any type of retail, hospitality or restaurant setting, you'll learn invaluable skills such as patience, attention to detail and how to keep cool when faced with a customer melt-down. Regardless of your future profession, these skills are sure to come in handy!

Success in the service industry is based on (essentially) a single skill – customer service. Can you be pleasant, friendly and accommodating, even when faced with picky, demanding and downright rude customers? If so, head to Jobs2Careers and get started!

Internships

Got your chosen career field all picked out? Ready to gain experience and see what it's really like to work in that field? Internships may be your ideal summer job. Check out the opportunities at Work For Students and see which openings are available in your field.

The main disadvantage of interning is the low (or nonexistent) pay. You will work long hours and be asked to do very menial tasks. However, there can be huge payoffs. Interns who excel are sometimes asked to come on-board as part-time assistants. You will make contacts which will help with networking later in life. You'll also be gaining invaluable experiences and insights. A pretty good deal when you consider the long-term perks!

Nanny

Busy parents are always on the lookout for responsible, intelligent people to watch their children – and those people can be hard to come by!

Aligning yourself with a trusted resource is your first step, and Sitter City is considered one of the best around. You can also check Craigslist or even the old-fashioned newspaper classifieds.

Watching kids can be demanding, but also very rewarding. If you truly love children, it doesn't feel much like work! Some families hire short-term sitters as live-ins, and even take them along on vacations. Right now, it's all about building experience and showing that you're the caring, fun, responsible sitter those parents have been searching for!

Entrepreneur

Are you really good at something? Something people would pay for? If so, why not strike out on your own? You'll be your own boss, set your own hours, and negotiate your own wages. Although it can be tricky getting started, many students have created their own businesses doing everything from house-sitting to landscaping to selling homemade hair-care products! There are no guarantees of success, but you'll never know until you try. These start-up summer jobs for college students have – for some – turned into careers.

Customer Service Gigs

A hidden Craigslist jewel is the temporary gig. These are not part-time jobs; they last a few days – a few weeks at the most – and require little to no experience. During summer, when fairs, festivals and concerts abound, you'll find tons of these jobs. Most are extremely simple, such as selling soda from a cart. You won't make millions, but your commitment level is extremely low – if you really hate a particular job, you're only stuck there for a few days!

Be very careful when using Craigslist – it's full of opportunity but can attract less-than-desirable, shady 'employers.' Always meet in a public, crowded place and if you feel that a job isn't quite ‘right,' don't hesitate to walk away.

Labor Gigs

Short-term physical employment is another wonderful perk of Craigslist, offering good money and quick pay for those willing to sweat a bit. You'll find everything from elderly homeowners who need their house painted to established handyman services who need an extra body for a big job. Choose carefully, and always ask for a quick reference to build your resume.

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Stephanie Gallardo

Hey everyone, I'm Stephanie! With 15 years under my belt as a dedicated freelance writer, I've found a special place here at HBCU Lifestyle where I can merge my writing expertise with my love for the vibrant world of HBCUs. Beyond the campus buzz, I'm a huge travel enthusiast and an animal lover at heart. Whether I'm exploring new destinations or hanging out with my furry friends, these experiences enrich my storytelling. Here, I dive into topics close to my heart – diversity, inclusion, and the dynamic life at HBCUs – and bring a unique perspective shaped by my journeys and adventures. Join me in celebrating the spirit of HBCUs and the diverse stories that make our community so special!