You can make a lot of money from home. Seriously.
College students need the flexibility that online and work-from-home jobs offer. Fortunately, remote opportunities are on the rise. Online and work-from-home jobs are not only popular, but they are also in demand.
As a college student, it can be hard starting out because not only are you trying to balance classes, homework, studying, relationships, and other responsibilities, you now are trying to get a job that you may not have a lot of experience in. Be sure to read, 5 Tips To Help You Balance Full-Time Work And Full-Time College. You’ve heard it before, “you can’t get a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without a job”. But everyone has to start somewhere.
Don’t procrastinate. When you find a job that resonates with you, I want you to jump in. Create a profile or apply for the position. I know competition can get fierce, but you can’t get experience if you don’t start. Just do it. You won’t regret it.
One of my favorite quotes is by Napoleon Hill. “Do not wait: the time will never be ‘just right’.” Now is the time. Below is a list of some of the best online jobs for college students. A degree is not necessary to get any of these jobs.
Freelance Your Talent
If you are talented you need to start freelancing ASAP! This is one of the best ways to make money from home. Whether it’s web design, coding, programming, marketing, graphic design, logo design, copywriting, etc., there are several online companies that students can get jobs through.
If you are naturally crafty and have skills like sewing, making jewelry, logo t-shirts, wedding gifts, bows and hair accessories, crocheting, knitting, digital prints, etc., then Esty is the place for you. People like custom and handmade items as they are unique, one-of-a-kind, and special.
The great thing about these companies is they are worldwide. Your customers can be anywhere.
Care / Sitting
Care is always needed and sought-after. Whether it’s for a child, a pet, or a house, people make a lot of money for these types of positions. They are perfect for college students as they are very flexible. You can book the days and times you want and are available. Below is a list of some good platforms to register with. However, don’t forget that family and friends are a great way to start building up a solid customer base as well as referrals.
Baby Sitting
House Sitting
Pet Sitting
Delivery—Food, Groceries, Or Office Supplies
With delivery jobs, you can squeeze in a few deliveries in between classes, early in the morning or late at night. Also, you can deliver with a car, motorcycle, scooter, bike, or even walk. Whatever your schedule or mode of transportation is, delivery jobs have the flexibility to meet it. As a delivery driver, you have the opportunity to make extra money with tips. A big bonus is if you need quick money, all you have to do is book a few deliveries and you’re paid.
When I was in college, a fellow student bought a scooter and delivered food from the hours of 10 pm to 2 am and he made more money from that than from his full-time job. He said the tips were crazy during those hours. The night owls tip the best!
There are numerous companies that provide delivery options. The list below includes companies that are among the top.
Rideshare Jobs
Rideshare jobs are a lot like delivery jobs, they allow you to set your own schedule. The biggest differences between the two are the age requirement and vehicle requirements. To rideshare, you need to be 21 and your car must meet specific standards. To deliver the food you need to be 18 and you can deliver it however you want.
If you’re looking for good rideshare jobs, your best options are Uber and Lyft. They both have similar features, options, and prices, so do the research and see what works for you. Or better yet, do both!
Data Entry
College students can earn a lot of money doing data entry from home. A data entry clerk basically handles routine clerical tasks by taking data from one source and transcribing it into another. Typically, this is done by entering or updating data in a computer system. Depending on the job, data entry clerks may deal with accounts receivable, processing order returns, paying out invoices, preparing digital files for printing, and reviewing records for accuracy.
If you are organized and detailed orientated, data entry is a job that almost anyone can do. Since it doesn’t require a specific educational or professional background, it’s easy to get started.
Language Translator Jobs
If you are fluent in two languages, you can make a lot of money translating and interpreting. The internet has made us a global market. Business is now done on an international level and one challenge it has created is language barriers.
Having a skilled translator is essential for many businesses. Online freelance translator jobs give students flexible income where they can set their hours. It also gives you the opportunity to utilize and improve your skills.
Voice Work
If you have a great voice and reading skills, become an audiobook narrator or voice actor. You don’t need a lot of qualifications to get a job. A great way to ease into the industry is to reach out to an author and see if you can turn their book into an audiobook. Often, narrators of audiobooks share in royalties too! Students can get started with online freelancing jobs from one of the below companies.
Resell Items From Home
One of the most affordable businesses to start from home is the business of reselling. Many resellers get their start by selling items that they no longer want or need. Once they run out of inventory, they often search thrift stores, yard and garage sales, and even other online auctions for new inventory.
Being a reseller on the internet is ideal for college students because it’s done from the comfort of your own home. Students can also control how much time and effort they want to put into it and the items they want to resell. Some resellers focus on a single type of item such as clothes, books, toys, collectibles, or motorcycle and car parts, others sell anything that makes them money.
Virtual Assistant Jobs
With the growth of the internet, more and more companies are choosing to operate exclusively online. This causes a demand for virtual assistants because they are needed to keep everything organized and on track. As a virtual assistant, you can work and make money from the comfort of your own home.
Freelance Transcriptionist Jobs
As a freelance transcriptionist, you will be transcribing audio or video files into a written format. You may be transcribing legal documents, medical records, corporate meetings, or other conversations. The job requires attention to detail as accuracy is key.
Students who get a job online as a transcriptionist can have incredible flexibility to set not only their own workload but also their own hours. As long as they meet the company’s deadline they can work whenever and wherever they want.
Social Media Managers
With mega-platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, etc., social media managers are needed to manage accounts for account owners. Whether it is uploading content like photos, videos, posts, ads, or running a contest or giveaway you will focus on their online presence by creating a content strategy and driving engagement. Typically, many big companies want you to have a degree, but smaller companies, accounts, individuals, and influencers don’t always have a budget for a professional. This is where you can get your foot in the door. If you have any type of experience, consider reaching out to an individual or business to see if they are in need of help.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, advertising, promotions, and marketing manager jobs are expected to increase by 10 percent between 2020 and 2030 in the US. This is one industry that is on the rise.
Online Or In-Person Tutoring Jobs
Tutors are in demand as parents and students look for academic support. Job opportunities are abundant in all subjects and grade levels. Being a tutor allows you to choose your hours and work from home. Typically, online tutoring jobs require you to video chat with your student so you will need to have the proper software and high-speed internet.
When I was in graduate school one of my classmates was an online engineering tutor. Her undergraduate degree was in engineering. She made a lot of money from home helping engineering students learn difficult concepts and improve their grades. The job was flexible enough that she was able to schedule all her appointments around her class schedule. It was the perfect schedule for her while she was working on her Master’s degree.
If you have the desire to help other students and do well in certain subjects, check out these tutoring companies.
Now that you have a great job that’s flexible and are making lots of money from home be sure to read, How A College Student Should Start Investing: A Beginner’s Guide. Now you’re on your way to becoming wealthy.
—Sensei