The college experience is a fulfilling journey filled with opportunities for personal growth and enjoyment alike. However, many students often encounter the challenge of financial limitations, which can restrict their ability to completely engage in extracurricular activities or social events during and after their studies. Fortunately, there are different avenues for earning income to alleviate these financial pressures while still in school. One requires a stable internet connection, a functioning laptop, and polished skills.
1. Online tutor
Students typically require help in various subjects. So, if one has expertise in a particular field, one could offer online tutoring classes from home. With the help of certain online tutoring websites, one can find students who require assistance with subjects one may enjoy and has already mastered. Those who get better at it could even charge a premium for services. Online tutoring may pay between $20 and $35 per hour, while experienced SAT and ACT tutors might charge $100 or more per hour.
2. Virtual assistant
The online administrative job is ideal for college students as it’s flexible and will also teach them various skills that can benefit a career. A virtual assistant can make anywhere between $5 and $25 per hour. The role involves providing valuable support to businesses by handling tasks they often struggle to manage due to time constraints. This may include scheduling appointments to organize meetings and calls, managing emails to maintain smooth communication, and overseeing social media accounts to improve the company’s online presence.
3. SEO specialist
An SEO specialist’s basic role is to make sure a website appears as high as possible in search engine results. Those who take up this job can work at home and need to take on responsibilities like keyword research, optimizing website content, link building, and more. The technicalities of SEO may take time to master, but one could always start with the basics if they have to attend college simultaneously. A beginner can make about $15 to $35 per hour.
4. Web designer
Each day, a fresh entrepreneur is looking to build a website, which is an opportunity for college students with interests and skills in this field. One can take up the job and earn about $30 or more than $100 depending on elements like skill, experience, and whether or not the website is built from scratch with coding skills or with ready-to-use templates. There are many websites where one can look for web designing jobs. Alternatively, the individual could ask for references from friends, family, and colleagues to secure a work-from-home job.
5. Stock Photographer
Modern-day photographers can make their money by selling photos online. Some websites will pay for images if people buy them to be used in unique projects. This does not require one to own expensive camera equipment to begin with. A simple smartphone with a quality camera will be more than enough to capture stunning images. As long as the pictures are good, one can find buyers online. A photo may sell for about $1 and go up to $20. Others may earn much more per picture based on their skill, experience, and popularity.
6. Personal trainer
College students with a passion for fitness could become online personal trainers or fitness coaches. This job will require one to help others reach their fitness goal through a curated nutrition plan, fitness tips, support, and progress tracking. Since this is a professional job, one may have to complete a personal training certification program, typically available online. Eventually, the individual can start their website and offer services. An online personal trainer could make between $15 and $30 per hour. This price range can also differ on the services offered.
7. Translator
Students who speak more than one language fluently can take up this job at home. As a translator, one can make about $30 per hour. Companies and individuals globally look for translators to help communicate with customers and clients who speak different languages. For instance, a company may need help translating emails, social media captions, a website, or other paperwork. In addition, one may also need to transcribe and translate audio interviews into a desired language.
8. Writer
Those who wish to express thoughts about particular topics could put in the time to create a blog around it. If the blog is unique, one can make money by monetizing the page through methods, including advertisements and affiliate marketing. Also, there are other ways to gain income through blogging, such as by selling e-books and online courses. Additionally, freelance writers can also offer their skills to an established blog page. Here, the possibilities are endless. Bloggers and content writers can make about $200 a month to start with but could earn more with experience while sitting at home. Similarly, one could look for opportunities as a proofreader and an editor.
9. Video editor
Most businesses require some form of video content, ranging from commercial videos to instructional tutorials or recording events. Since most of these videos are completed in multiple takes, they might need to be stitched together, which is where a video editor comes in. This job may require one to use all footage from a video shoot and put it together seamlessly to create the desired output. One may also need to pick relevant stories and add transitions, music, and other elements to make the video visually appealing. Video editors, even those working from home, can make between $20 and $50 per hour.