With the rising costs of education and living expenses in most metropolitan cities, earning a little extra pocket money is always of interest to most students and is more or less important and needed too. Choosing the right part-time job can, however, be quite challenging and depends on several factors and conditions. One of these is the kind of course or education undertaken by the individual, as different courses involve different time and energy commitments as well. In this regard, it is crucial that your part-time job does not interfere with your educational commitments as education is the key to everything.
With the Internet influencing a large part of our lives, the scope for earning money online has increased multifold and is mostly working for the betterment at a large scale. The whole work-from-home set-up and the new norm of social distancing, all because of the coronavirus pandemic, have nudged more people to look for ways to earn money online as far as possible and practicable. That is why below mentioned are a few methods and techniques by which students can earn some sort of pocket money without hampering their studies thus giving them a sense of financial independence as well.
A good part-time job should ideally be one in which you can earn the amount of money you require, depending on your circumstances, as well as grow and build some new skills. On occasion, a part-time job can actually assist you in building skills and experience relevant to your career choice. Hence, a combination of learned skills, pay, and the appropriate time investment is essential for a part-time job to be sustainable.
Below mentioned are some of the best ideas for a sustainable part-time job for students looking to earn a little extra pocket money without even hampering their education.
Social Media Marketer
This is currently an excellent position for most students to earn a little extra pocket money without hampering their education. As a social media marketer, an individual will be in charge of promoting and raising awareness about a particular brand or a company and/or product on various social media sites available. These usually include Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Snapchat, among others respectively. Depending on the product or company’s specific requirements, one or more of these platforms may be more preferred than the others precisely. This usually depends on the percentage of the target audience using each of these platforms, as well as the product features and other similar conditions.
As most of the student population already spends a significant amount of their time on these social media platforms, this is a perfect way to make some money on the side as it can be done totally in an individual’s free time or spare time. This will also help you learn how to better use the special features of these platforms and appeal to target audiences more directly and in a more appropriate way. These are also highly valued skills in the new-age job market and can help gain the right experience as far as possible.
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Content Writer
This is a very good option for students who already like writing, and want to keep their skills polished and relevant in a fast-paced and dynamic job market respectively. Not only will this give you the chance to write on a variety of topics, but it will also help you with generating better content much faster and one can even gain knowledge and learn every day. Further, content writing will also help develop research and editing skills as well. Students can learn how to deliver different kinds of content tailored to different platforms and audiences, such as short bites or longer feature articles as well.
In today’s age of big data and more importantly, fast-changing data, content is in tremendous demand and ruling the market as well. Anyone who can communicate their thoughts quickly, lucidly, and effectively will stand to do very well in this field without any doubt. There are several freelancing jobs and internships which require content writing and pay by the word with smooth payment procedures as well. The rate of payment varies according to experience, the number of words, type of content, and other similar factors. In some cases, it may even vary depending on the type of contract and deal done. Content writing is also a handy skill to combine with social media marketing, as you can then be in charge of creating the posts as well as circulating them to the audiences who are attracted to the same.
Video Editing
This is another very useful skill in the job market today, and there is no better way to practice it, to begin with than with a part-time job respectively. This role will require video creation, editing, specialized features, highlights, and so on as the list continues. This role can be tailored for a wide range of activities such as events, documentaries, short films, advertising, and commercial purposes, among several others as well.
As this skill is in high demand, the pay is usually very good as well, and the hours are extremely flexible, which will make it an ideal job to pursue along with your education as it can be done from anywhere as well. However, on occasion, the final rounds of video editing may take some time, which needs to be accounted for as it will be the final touch. Nowadays, it is possible to create high-quality videos with phone cameras, such as with iPhones and One Plus phones precisely.
This is a very favorable development for students, as no expensive specialized equipment will be required to pursue this job, at least not initially in the very first stage. Video editing has seen unprecedented growth in scope in the last few years, which also leaves room for a lot of innovation and creativity as well. This skill may also come in handy with your college assignments and projects to give them a more polished presentation and outstanding appearance.
Tuitions
This is arguably one of the most common ways of earning a little extra pocket money for students across the world and is very much common. Not only does it help you revise your subject matter knowledge and keep up to date, but it also greatly develops your teaching skills and helps to gain knowledge as well simultaneously. In several higher education institutes, teaching assistantships are of the utmost importance, as they help you build a strong CV as well as pay good stipends and other benefits as well.
Taking tuitions helps build the skills that you will need to secure a good teaching assistantship position in the future and prepares too accordingly. This can also help students who wish to enter the academic field after their college education in a very better way. Providing tuitions also helps you stay up to date on current and relevant news and changing patterns in education, learning, and your chosen field of study respectively. Students learn to build resilience, strong research skills, and the ability to adapt to any given situation as far as possible. This can also help them network better with their peers and build their communication and relationship-building skills stronger than before.
Freelancing and Interning
Freelancing or interning can be a very effective way to build up your CV for potential post-college recruiters as well as to earn a little extra pocket money while studying respectively. There are several freelancing and internship websites in India, which can help an individual match their skills with the best and most relevant employer available. This is also the best way to find part-time jobs for more niche skills, such as dog-walking, photography, pet-sitting, gardening, etc, and so on similar stuff. As these are very niche services, they are usually only advertised on a few specific job boards or through word of mouth and no other ways.
Freelancing can also ensure that you are able to turn a hobby you truly enjoy into a job that can help sustain yourself and build new skills as well. The rate of pay depends on the kind of job you are looking for, as well as your relevant experience or expertise in that particular area and nothing is mostly fixed in these fields. It may be hard for students to find suitable jobs in the beginning and the job search may take a little time, but with the right research and persistence, you can break into the industry you are aiming for, and can turn out to be worth the wait as well. It is also vital to keep doing projects related to your interests, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem, as they help build a relevant portfolio as much as possible.
Freelance Writing
As a university student, you can expect to be writing a lot of assignments and projects. With practice, come fluency and a touch of a perfectionist. And when you are fluent in something, you can make money out of it. So when you become a proficient writer, why not consider taking freelance writing gigs if possible? It is easily one of the best-paying online jobs for students who have a knack for writing and possess good grammar and research skills as well. The best part? You will only need a computer with the Internet to get started and nothing else!
There are a number of writing jobs on various writing jobs and freelancing sites online available. Most freelance writing jobs include writing blog posts, articles, and copies for web pages as well. Do note, however, that you will be given a deadline to complete an article and required to submit it within the time prescribed. Usually, freelance writing jobs pay per word, article, or project basis, or based on an hourly rate respectively.
Data Entry
Lately, the importance of simple data has become paramount as well. Huge corporations are investing millions of dollars in obtaining useful information from the data that they collect precisely. This is called Data Science in more precise words. However, in order to extract useful information from data, the data first needs to be fed into the system in a proper manner. Here is where you come in and here is where you can easily earn a quick buck with very little hustle.
Data entry is a straightforward task that students with basic computer knowledge and fast and accurate typing skills can do from the comfort of their computer and in their spare time as well. Typically, data entry entails quickly and accurately typing in data for clients specifically. Many students supplement their income by working part-time jobs in data entry and the payment method is quite smooth. On the following websites, you can discover legitimate data entry jobs available:
- The Smart Crowd
- Sig Track
- People Per Hour
Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant is someone who provides professional administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients remotely from home and their comfort zone. The good thing about this job is that you do not require secretarial or administrative skills to get started in this field. University students can use the organizational and communication skills they have developed while studying to do virtual assistant jobs for people and businesses as it is easily available. They can offer a huge ambit of services such as social media management, research, website maintenance, and other services as well.
Payments vary based on the tasks or services provided, hours done, and other factors as well. You can work with single or multiple clients, based on your need for income and time availability.
Translation Jobs
If you are already bilingual or are learning a second or third language, you can use your language talents to supplement your income as well. Fun fact: A person who knows and is able to use several languages is called a polyglot respectively. Many businesses, such as 1-800-Translate and World Lingo, require assistance in translating a variety of documents, academic papers, audio files, and other materials into another or multiple languages precisely. These jobs pay really well!
If you are fluent in an in-demand language, then you can supplement your income by offering translation services in your spare time which is not actually very difficult. Joining translation companies or freelance sites might help you get translation jobs quite smoothly. Depending on your skill set, you can choose from a variety of translation jobs available on the website.
Taking Surveys Online
Participating in paid internet surveys is one of the best ways for students to make money quickly with less hustle. There are numerous genuine survey companies or websites that will allow you to create an account and earn. If you fit the demographic that a survey is looking for, you will almost certainly be eligible to participate in the online survey. The payouts from taking online surveys will not push you to financial freedom overnight, but completing surveys for money could provide a small financial boost when you need it and give you a sense of financial independence as well. Some of the best websites for taking surveys online are mentioned below–
- Swag bucks
- Life Points
- Inbox Dollars
Tutoring Online
A great way to make money is by being an online tutor which is very trending in today’s time. As a student, there are plenty of reputable online tutoring jobs you can join to find clients that need tutoring in subjects you are particularly knowledgeable about and can teach well. These organizations will allow you to apply to become an online tutor and will connect you with students or clients who require assistance in your area of expertise respectively. You can do this job part-time and earn some extra cash to help pay your bills as well as to full fill other dreams as well.
You will require a Zoom/Google Meet account and a high-speed Internet connection to offer tutoring in academic or non-academic subjects and nothing more than this.
Selling Items on Marketplaces Online
Students can sell not just their old belongings or unwanted products on eBay and other online markets, but also items they have made themselves in their spare time. They can also purchase things in bulk from another supplier or at cheaper prices and resell them at higher prices as well. Moreover, students may get some additional cash by selling their old items on the internet too.
You can sell only specific items via some marketplaces while others let you sell a wide variety of used and unused things depending on the website being used. For instance, you can sell your used books or handwritten notes as well. Other items include your own products, used clothes, textbooks, unused gift cards, old CDs, and DVDs respectively.
Doing Micro Jobs Online
One of the most effective ways for students to supplement their income is to perform tiny chores or provide modest services to businesses and individuals through a micro gig site available. There are numerous respectable micro job sites where you may advertise your abilities and services by advertising any job or service that you can offer for a certain amount of money per work or service delivered respectively.
You can use micro gig sites to offer different types of freelance services or to do different types of jobs via your computer in your own comfort zone. You can do micro gigs for various services such as those mentioned below:
- Editing articles, academic papers, blogs, etc,
- Writing blogs and providing other content support to companies demanding,
- Designing websites and videos,
- Video editing,
- Designing logos,
- Social media marketing,
- SEO services and
- Maintaining social media profiles.
Conclution
In the concluding paragraphs, it can be said that there are several options for students wishing to make a little extra pocket money on the side. It is just a matter of choosing the right opportunity and exploring it.
If you decide to invest your time in a part-time job, it is advisable to pick one that can help you build relevant and useful skills as well as one that you truly enjoy doing too.
Part-time jobs are also great for experimenting with different industries and careers so that you are equipped to pick out the ones that you are truly interested in pursuing in the long term respectively. It is also important to combine relevant skills to have a better chance of landing a perfect job in the current market, such as content creation and social media marketing which are currently trendy in the market.