7 Flexible Part-time Jobs for College Students (That You Probably Haven’t Thought of Yet!)

Photo by Olichel

College acceptance is a remarkable accomplishment, and the experience is truly one-of- a-kind. For many young adults, it’s a rite of passage: It’s a time when you’re making your own decisions, opening yourself to a new world of horizons, and getting a taste of what it really means to be self-sufficient.

But this wonderful chapter of life doesn’t come cheaply, and many students are choosing to balance their studies with full- or part-time employment to offset the costs of college life. It can be tricky finding a job that accommodates a crazy college schedule, but here’s good news: There are plenty of companies you can work for as an employee or independent contractor that allow you to bring home a paycheck and maintain your good grades!

No need to keep looking at the want ads — these companies will help you make money with your hectic schedule:

Be a child caregiver with Sittercity. Lots of students enter college with some sort of babysitting experience under their belt, either from weekends spent watching the neighbor’s kids or (reluctantly) watching younger siblings. Sittercity allows you to offer your services to parents who need some extra help, often in the morning, evening or on weekends.

Take care of man’s best friend with Rover.com. If you’re an animal lover, pet sitting is a great way to earn some extra money — what’s better than being paid to play with adorable critters? As a bonus, it’s also a job that enables you to do double-duty: You can cram for exams while caring for cute creatures in your home or that of the pet parents.

Show off your organizational or handyman skills with TaskRabbit. This company offers people who love crossing items off their to-do lists plenty of options for earning some extra income. As a Tasker, you’ll get paid for a wide array of services — including cleaning, furniture assembly, or errand-running — whenever your schedule allows.

Become a Postmate and deliver food by car or bicycle. Delivery isn’t just for pizza anymore! Postmate partners with restaurants in cities across the country to deliver food to customers’ doors, and is a great option for students looking to fit in a few hours of work throughout the week. It’s also great for those without cars, as it allows you to use your bike for delivery.

Be a brand ambassador for Street Team Promotions. Believe it or not, you can actually get paid to be where the action is. As a brand ambassador, you’ll provide brand representation for one of Street Team’s clients at events like concerts, sports games or local festivals. This is a great option for people who love socializing and taking part in community happenings.

Get paid for your artistic skills with your own Etsy shop. If creativity is your game, Etsy provides a way for you to profit from your imaginative talents. This site has quickly become the go-to place for customers looking for authentic, homemade works of art, whether you love to paint, sew, build, or photograph your masterpieces.

Be a freelancer in almost anything with Upwork. Offering part-time jobs in writing, web design, consulting and administration (just to name a few), this company has a plethora of opportunities that allow individuals the option to work from home on their own schedules — no matter how crazy it may be!

If you’re still looking for other ideas, check out opportunities that may be available through your school’s guidance office or student union. Many local companies work with colleges and universities to connect students with work opportunities, either as jobs or internships, that offer flexible hours, real-life work experience, and a paycheck!

Erica Francis loves working with ReadyJob.org to teach young people how to get started in the job market. In her spare time, she enjoys horseback riding, crocheting, and acting at her town’s community theater.