13 Summer Jobs for College Students in 2022
As a college student, the summer is an ideal time to look for seasonal work. While you may have a few days off from school, you can still make some money and get some hands-on experience. When it comes to summer jobs for college students, there are a lot of options.
Whether you’re looking for something that aligns with your career goals or just want to make a little extra money, this article highlights 13 good jobs you can try out this summer.
Why You Should Consider a Summer Job
There has been an 8.59 percent increase in tuition and fees at public four-year colleges in the last decade, according to the College Board. For the years 2021-22, the College Board found that full-time undergraduates at public four-year schools (within the state) can expect to pay close to $30,000 and more than $55,000 in tuition and fees.
Many students will be forced to take out student loans because of the rising costs of college. Interest is charged on every dollar borrowed by students, and many are forced to pay back their loans for a decade or more.
One way to reduce your borrowing costs is to work during the summer, which could save you a lot of money in the long run. A $10,000 student loan with a 4.99% interest rate and a 10-year repayment term would cost you $106.02 a month and $2,722 in interest over the course of the loan’s term. Even though your monthly payments would drop to $63.61 if you earned $4,000 through a summer job and reduced your total loan to $6,000, you’d still have to pay back $1,633 in interest.
Which is the Best Summer Job for College Students
You have an advantage in the job market if you are pursuing a professional degree. You are educated, intelligent, motivated, career-minded, competent, passionate, and professional. Spend some time reflecting on your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your long-term career aspirations, and devise a plan for maximizing these assets to your advantage in the job market. Look at yourself objectively or ask your family and friends for their thoughts on the matter.
According to Jobvite’s 2017 Recruiter National Report, recruiters’ top considerations in making a hiring decision were communication skills, industry knowledge, and enthusiasm. To stay ahead of the competition, prepare your resume and cover letter to focus on these areas. You can also research the best answers to common interview questions such as “What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?”
After that, you’ll have to decide your future career path. A summer job in an area of expertise or a company that will help you build your resume will put you ahead of the competition when it comes time to look for full-time work after graduation.
It is possible that some of you have more time and fewer commitments than others, and thus more employment opportunities, depending on where you live. There is a way to make it work for everyone, no matter where they are or what their financial situation is.
If you’re looking to land a job in your chosen field, look for one that will give you hands-on experience. Even if your work experience is unpaid or low-paying, you may be able to supplement your income by taking a paid job on the side. Instead, you could work full-time during the day at a job that pays well and then do remote freelance work in your area of expertise in the evenings.
Summer jobs for college students in the service, caregiving, animal care, retail, and tourism industries can be found. This is a great way to make some extra money while still being able to work the hours that work best for you.
Jobs can be found all over the world on sites like Indeed and Craigslist. To apply or advertise your services, join relevant Facebook groups for summer jobs or internships. To get the word out, tell people what you’re looking for. Using this method is a great way to discover opportunities that aren’t advertised.
Pros and Cons of Summer Jobs for College Students
Are you wondering if a summer job is the right decision for you? Let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of getting a job this summer.
Pros
- Boost Your Resume: Summer jobs are a great way to gain work experience for your resume or CV. College and university applicants can benefit from using this tool, especially those who are pursuing advanced degrees. Developing soft skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are all made easier with a summer job.
- Develop Self-confidence and Become Financially Independent: Many college students are determined to get a summer job and earn money because they don’t want to rely on their parents. Developing self-confidence and becoming financially independent are important goals for many students. The ability to manage and budget your finances more effectively and independently is a key benefit of working for your own income. To top it all off, you have a strong sense of accountability, which gives you the self-confidence to succeed.
- Earn More: Applying for summer jobs means you’ll have more money in the bank to put toward your goals. In this way, you can save money for college, earn money for purchases, and go somewhere on your dime. You can accomplish your goals while taking a break from school by working during the summer to buy a new smartphone or a plane ticket.
Cons
There are advantages and disadvantages to working during the summer, including the opportunity to earn money and build a professional network. Summer jobs have a few drawbacks, such as the following.
- Challenging and Stressful: It’s a challenge and a source of stress for college students to juggle their personal and academic responsibilities. Summer can be the only time to take a breather from the daily grind and enjoy some time off. Not all summer jobs have lighter or easier workloads, so you may have to deal with additional stress from meeting deadlines and quotas that you haven’t anticipated. It can result in exhaustion or a deterioration of your mental health. That being said, your mental and physical health should always come first.
- Time Management: To get the most out of your summer, you’ll need to get up earlier than usual. If you work an early morning shift, you may have difficulty keeping track of your time. If you’re not a morning person, you might be late for work quite a few days out of every week. Too many “late to work” issues on your record can have a negative impact on your ability to do well at work and make a good impression.
- Time-consuming: Summer jobs can take a lot of time, so plan accordingly if you want to keep up with your summer plans with friends and family. It all depends on your work shift and the number of hours you have to put in at the summer job you’re working.
How To Know If The Job Is The Right Fit For You
Consider the following factors to see if the summer job you’re considering is a good fit for you:
#1 – Work Hours
How much time do you want to put in over the summer? Consider whether or not you’d be open to working late hours or in the wee hours of the morning. Determine the number of hours of work you’re willing to put in, as well as a deadline. As a result, consider your preferences for the length of your workday.
#2 – Industry
Consider getting a summer job in your current field of study. Getting the right summer job in the right industry can make all the difference. Consequently, you realize that applying for field-specific summer jobs necessitates more effort. As a result, you should begin applying for summer jobs as soon as classes end. If you’re looking for a job that doesn’t necessitate extensive training, this is the place to look.
#3 – Location
How long are you planning to stay here before returning to your hometown? Do you have to travel to and from work? You must have a convenient working environment and the ability to get to work on time. When looking for a summer job, don’t overlook the fact that you’ll be spending half of your time there.
13 Summer Jobs for College Students
College students can choose from a wide range of summer jobs, including those for students who are taking summer courses or living on campus.
During the summer, many college students choose to work part-time jobs to supplement their income. It’s a good option for students who need to take summer courses or those who want to enjoy the summer as well. In many cases, the pay for these positions is just above the federal minimum wage.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home or a computer over the internet has become more common. College students who are also enrolled in online summer courses may benefit from part- and full-time online work opportunities offered by many employers.
Students who choose to stay on campus during the summer may be surprised to find that there are many empty spots. The office of student affairs at your college may be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to finding summer employment. Here are a few options for part-time, online, and on-campus work during the break.
#1 – Nanny at $15.49 per hour
Nannying entails providing long-term or intermittent child care, which may include cooking and transporting the children to and from various activities throughout the day. In some cases, this job may be more flexible than others.
#2 – Dog Walker at $15.14 per hour
Dog walkers can be hired to walk dogs for a few families or one-time jobs. Those with busy schedules will appreciate the availability of numerous apps that allow them to sign up for as many or as few dog-walking jobs as they desire.
#3- Library Assistant at $14.12 per hour
As the semesters wind down on campus, students in search of a quiet job may want to consider working in the library. In addition to shelving books, library assistants are also responsible for assisting library visitors in their search for the materials they need.
#4 – Fast Food Worker at $9.40 per hour
Fast-food workers prepare food, take customer orders and operate the cash register. Despite the grueling nature of the job, fast food workers can enjoy a variety of perks, including free or discounted meals.
#5 – Lifeguard at $10.33 per hour
Public beach and pool lifeguards are tasked with the responsibility of keeping swimmers safe, and this duty necessitates training and certification. Lifeguarding, on the other hand, can be a great way to earn money while spending time in the sun for those who enjoy being outside.
#6 – Tutor at $18.28 per hour
It is possible to get help from online tutors for specific subjects by using video or email. For many people, the convenience of working from home is a major selling point for online tutoring jobs. Tutors are frequently required to demonstrate their knowledge of their subject or field of study by taking exams.
#7 – Proofreader at $18.60 per hour
Grammar and spelling mistakes are checked for in the proofreading process. This position is ideal for English majors or anyone who enjoys writing, as it requires a high level of editing and writing expertise.
#8 – Freelance Writer at $24.74 per hour
As a writer, it can be difficult for you to get your foot in the door for freelance work, but the flexibility of working on individual projects may be worth the extra effort. Companies pay different rates for freelance writing and many pay by the word.
#9 – Transcriber at $15.22 per hour
Listen to a video or podcast and type out a transcription with an online transcribing service. As a transcriptionist, you must have excellent listening skills, and ability to write, and an understanding of grammar. It’s possible for students to find transcription work through sites Upwork, or to apply for a position with a specific company.
#10 – School Store Clerk at $11.12 per hour
Sales clerks for campus bookstores may help with restocking and helping customers with their purchases. The school store can be a great way to earn money while staying on campus during the summer, even if the hours are shortened.
#11 – Retail sales associate at $11.83 per hour
In the summer, a variety of retail establishments, including clothing boutiques, home improvement centers, and technology stores, hire college students to help restock shelves, serve customers, and run the register.
#12 – Peer Tutor at $18.28 per hour
The goal of peer tutoring is to assist others in achieving academic success during the summer session. Help with writing an essay, solving math problems, or describing scientific concepts could be offered. Students who live on campus and are confident enough in their field of study to tutor their peers are likely to choose this option.
#13 – Virtual Assistant at $16.17 per hour
From bookkeeping to project management to ghostwriting, virtual assistants can handle a wide range of tasks for businesses. People who work online full-time, such as online influencers and small business owners, typically hire virtual assistants who are well-versed in organizational skills.
Conclusion
Students can earn extra money this summer to help cover the rising costs of their education. It’s now easier than ever for college students to strike the right work-life balance while on summer break, thanks to a plethora of options designed with their needs in mind.
