With the expenses of college life adding up, finding a part-time jobs on campus while going to school can be incredibly beneficial. What many students don’t realize is that you aren’t confined to jobs like serving or Uber driving.
There are actually a ton of on-campus jobs that can be flexible to your school schedule, and still leave some money in your pocket at the end of the day.
In fact, a lot of financial-aid packages give you the opportunity to receive money through a work-study job. Extra money is extra money after all.
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Types of Jobs on Campus For College Students
The best part about having a job on campus is that you don’t have to worry about commuting and on-campus employers understand how much your academic schedule might fluctuate and tend to be pretty accommodating.
Not to mention all the great connections you will make with staff, professors, and other students that could potentially help propel your career in the future.
Curious about what they are? Here is a list of popular on-campus job.
1. Library assistant
Includes keeping track of books and library materials – job is kind of a breeze. Of course, the school library isn’t the most hectic or stressful place around and is usually very quiet.
What does that mean for you – you ask? Not only are you on the clock for working, you will be able to get some EXTRA reading done for your classes. Getting paid to do homework? SCORE!
Not crazy about looking for campus jobs in the library? What about the dining hall?
2. Teaching Assistant (TA)
As a teaching assistant, you could be doing anything from helping proctor exams and grading papers, to hosting study groups, seminars and discussions.
Usually, these opportunities arise when you have a strong relationship with a professor and you have demonstrated exceptional understanding in a certain subject.
This is an amazing job to have because the connection you could make professionally and academically will get you an amazing reference when it comes time to apply for a job post-college.
3. Mailroom attendant
Most dorms have their own mailrooms, or you might have a campus-wide mailroom that encompasses all the on-campus living. Whatever the case, this is a great job to have.
Not only will you meet a ton of new people, since everyone needs to utilize this service, but this job is notorious for having a lot of downtime in it. And downtime for you means you can get paid to do homework. That means more time for your friends when you’re off your shift! Heyoooo!
4. Dining hall
Dining Hall? Are you crazy? I definitely do not want to work in the dining hall! Working with food, especially leftover food, can be kind of gross. Wiping down tables or cleaning dishes might not be the most glamorous job.
However, you do garner real-life customer service experience – which is useful in operating any business.
Plus, your parents would probably like to hear that you’re putting in some blood, sweat, and tears in order to earn your keep with some campus jobs while you attend college.
5. Barista
We all know your campus has some coffee-bar, so why not learn a valuable and translatable skill and learn how to steam milk and pour espresso?
There are many perks to this job too! You can get your caffeine fix for free every day and you’ll meet a ton of new people since this is probably a heavily visited spot on campus.
6. Resident assistant (RA)
Becoming a Resident Assistant (RA) might be the most lucrative job on campus. You get paid a ton of money and in some schools, you’re offered perks such as free parking, free board, or a free meal plan.
While at times the duties of a Residence Assistant might be a bit demanding, including being responsible for keeping track of and possibly disciplining your peers under certain situations – not the more favorable of duty requirements – however, the benefits are obvious.
You have an opportunity to organize school social events and be a major leader on campus – all for money. Nice!
7. Career services
If you can get the chance to work in Career Services as an Office Assistant, you will have an opportunity to see how college administration offices function from the inside out.
You’ll get to see all the career opportunities firsthand as they initially come in and have the privilege to be surrounded by those who know how to land YOU a future job.
Getting ahead is always good, right? Especially if it comes with a paycheck. It’s always who you know.
8. Art gallery
Art galleries on campus always need someone to check Visitors in, and that person is often a student. Be a loyal patron of the arts as well as a student worker in one fell swoop.
9. Fitness instructor
Ever thought about teaching group fitness classes? Why not start at your college gym. Fitness classes offered are typically yoga, spin, strength/circuit training, Zumba, pilates, kickboxing, the list is endless.
Chances are you have to go through a certification process, so ask your college gym if they offer any special deals so you can get certified!
Then you can meet people who share the same interests as you and stay fit and focused!
10. Campus Tour Guide
Why not give tours of the place you spend every single day at? Yup, this is a job opportunity that you can totally take advantage of.
Incoming and prospective students want to hear from students who are living on campus and making the most of their time, so if that’s you, then this is the job for you!
Enthusiastically show people around and make some extra money at the same time!
11. Tutor
Many difficult college classes are always looking for people to tutor.
If you are doing well/previously have done well in a specific class, you should consider scouting out tutoring options for that class.
Some professors will have pre-set tutoring hours where you can get paid to do so.
12. Research assistant
A lot of academic apartments hire paid research assistants. And contrary to your belief, you do not need to be in a science major to do research.
Your business school might be doing research, even English and psychology and sociology.
Conducting research gives you a major boost on your resume, too!
Having a job as a research assistant will also give you full transparency to other research happening on campus that you can participate in, which is often paid.
Who knows, maybe doing research will introduce you to a career idea you never knew existed.
Find the right fit
After reading this post, you might have a few ideas on what you’d like to apply for. And who would we be if we didn’t provide you with the best tips to score these positions?
Top 7 tips for finding the right job on campus
These 7 tips will help you in finding the right jobs on campus for you as you continue your study.
1. Decide what you want to do
It helps to align your interests with a job for so many reasons. If you’re going to be spending time and energy into something, you might as well enjoy it, and get the most out of it!
Ask around your major and see if anyone has done anything that has helped not only their wallet but their studies. It also helps if you already have some of the skills necessary to perform the job.
You were a barista in high school? Perfect! Go after a job like that!
2. Treat it as a real job search
Many of the jobs on campus might not require that you submit a resume and cover letter, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t brush up your resume skills.
In fact, if you submit a resume you will appear much more overqualified and organized and you will have a better chance at securing the gig.
3. Check your school job board
This is probably the first thing you should do to see if any opportunities are posted. Most departments hiring will start by doing this, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other options, so don’t let this limit you!
4. Ask around!
They say it’s who you know right? It doesn’t hurt to ask some of your peers and even professors.
Getting a referral could be your in and you might even learn about a job you haven’t heard of yet!
5. Pay attention to cork boards in academic buildings, dorms, and rec centers
A lot of job opportunities get posted to these and it might be old school but it totally works. Make sure to pay attention to these as you’re in and out of class.
6. Don’t make a rash decision
You don’t have to pick the first job you see, think about what you actually would enjoy doing, bonus points if you can do the same job for all four years.
Not only does this show that you are loyal and dedicated, but it shows that you put a little time into what you wanted to do from day one and didn’t hop around from job to job (not that that’s a bad thing either).
7. Prepare for an interview at any moment
It’s not a bad idea to start a running list of some of your strengths and weaknesses.
Also, really think about why you want a campus job and how it relates to your success in college. You have to prove that you want the position and you could be asked to interview on a dime so you might as well be ready for it!