College is expensive.

Even if you have student loans or help from family members, it can get stressful trying to stretch those pennies. Not surprisingly, many college students seek employment to cover some of their expenses. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 40% of undergrad students and 74% of part-time students had jobs. It’s even higher for grad students at 76% of students.

Working while paying for school seems like a good solution, but sometimes this does more harm than good. Fortune reports that college students who work are 20% less likely to graduate. Does that mean you shouldn’t get a job? No, but now that you know the risks, you can look more closely at the best jobs for college students.

What To Look for in a Great Job for Students

Ideally, you find an employer who pays tuition reimbursement, but benefits like this typically require you to work full-time hours. That could get in the way of school and cause you to take longer to finish your degree. The employer will also want a return on investment, so you may have to remain with the company for a year or more after graduation. It could work for you but know the risks.

So, what should you look for in a good option? You might not find all of these in one job, but it’s worth keeping them all in mind during your search:

• Flexible work hours so you can organize your shift around classes
• Non-demanding work that won’t interfere with classes
• A good manager who understands that school is your priority
• Potential for professional development

5 Best Jobs for College Students

Now that you know what to look for in a good college job, let’s see what positions tend to fit this role. Here are some of the many I have encountered over the years in no particular order.

1. Freelance Worker

I started my freelance writing business at 16 to help pay for college. My communications and sociology lecturers helped me get the ball rolling. I didn’t make much money initially, but I made enough to supplement my income and cover unexpected expenses. Seventeen years later, it’s my full-time job.

These days, freelance writing is increasingly under threat thanks to the AI revolution, but money is still there. Some companies will even hire you specifically to generate content with AI tools. 

If writing isn’t your thing, then you can look for freelance work in other areas that appeal to you or that are related to your degree:

• Graphic design
• WordPress site building
• Social media management
• Bug bounty hunting (cybersecurity)
• App development
• Food delivery
• Pet/house sitting

2. Apprentice

An excellent way to get professional experience in your field is to find someone who will hire you in an apprentice role. Companies may refer to this position under various other names, such as “Junior Marketer” or “IT Support Level 1,” but the basic premise is the same. You’re getting the skills and exposure you need for future career development and to better understand your current studies.

Finding positions like this can be challenging, and you’ll have a lot of competition from other students with the same idea. You might also find that many companies want to hire “interns” without paying them. While professional development has some benefits, if you need money to pay the bills, free labor is not the return on investment you need.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• If family members work for employers with an office nearby, ask them to put in a good word for you.
• Contact local businesses to see if you can put in a few paid hours per week to earn some extra money.
• Check Indeed and other job sites for ads because some companies advertise these positions publicly.
• If you land an internship, tell the company you are available beyond the summer and ask if you can continue to put in paid hours.
• Ask your university. Sometimes, it can hire you; other times, it might know employers who can.

3. Security Officer

My first job after immigrating to America was security. The director allowed me to use my laptop at the front desk during downtime. I worked the night shift, so the building was closed, and there wasn’t much going on.

I used the time to work on my freelance business, but many others used the downtime to study and complete school projects. The managers knew this and did not interfere as long as it didn’t get in the way of work.

Here are some of the perks security brought to the table:

• Internet access (at some posts)
• Privacy behind a desk or inside a booth (at some posts)
• Relaxed work environment
• Flexible hours
• High turnover rate, so companies are constantly hiring
• Benefits if you work enough hours, such as a retirement fund.

One of the guys I worked with graduated from college and became a police officer. They tell me he returns to the building every so often to say hello to his former colleagues and check on things.

4. Live Chat Customer Service

Customer service is one of the world’s most important but least-liked jobs. These professionals often have to handle disgruntled customers who have likely already spoken to other agents who failed to resolve the issue. It can be emotionally exhausting.

Still, if you feel you’re up to the task, there are a few benefits for this job:

• You basically get to text for a living.
• Live chat agents often have the option to work from home.
• Hours are typically flexible.
• Customer service has a high turnover rate, so they are always hiring.
• You can get benefits if you work enough hours, such as health insurance.

5. Higher-End Restaurant Server

The pay rate is often very low for professionals in this field, but you can make it up in tips. Ideally, you land a job at a restaurant with a pricey menu. Customers are expected to tip anywhere from 15% to 30%, so the higher the cost of the items on the menu, the better your chances of scoring big tips.

This is a customer-facing role, so be prepared to handle the occasional upset customer. If you can manage these situations and remain pleasant, you could score these benefits:

• Flexible hours
• Potential to make good money from tips
• Potential for meeting influential people

Finding the Best Jobs for College Students

Finding the job that best meets your needs may take some trial and error. Be sure to let the manager know from the start that you are in school. Share your schedule with the manager, and continue to check your assigned work hours to ensure it does not interfere with classes, exams, and other school work.

As a student, you often must choose between money and education. That’s a choice only you can make. Some people drop out of school and go on to make millions, but they are a tiny minority. Most college dropouts do not become the next Bill Gates, so consider your options carefully and choose wisely.

Good luck with your studies!