6 Flexible Work Options for Students

Diplomas and degrees are important for landing the career of your dreams, but they won’t pay off for a few years. 

If you need to fill your stomach and your gas tank while going to school, you know it’s no piece of cake. 

Students need flexible job opportunities that pay the bills without consuming a lot of your time. After all, switching between your Student hat and Employee hat isn’t easy. 

That’s why you need these six flexible jobs to pay your way through school. Have fun, earn a little cash and pursue a degree while you’re doing it. 

Flexible work options for college students

1. Petsitter

What could be better than snuggling with a few doggos and earning cash in the process? 

Doting pet owners need animal-loving sitters to care for their dogs, cats and other animal companions while they’re away. 

Become a petsitter for a high-paying job that includes a lot of free time. 

Do your homework or study while you cuddle with Fluffy. Listen to lecture notes or chat with your study group while you play fetch with Fido.  

2. Freelancer

Do you know how to code, write or use Photoshop? You’ve got the makings of a healthy freelance career. 

Set yourself up as a freelancer on platforms like Fiverr and UpWork. Take on clients and set a work schedule that works with your schoolwork. 

Freelancing gives you the freedom to attend school during the day and work from the comfort of your computer at night, making it the perfect part-time job for students. 

It’s also a great way to beef up your resume in a field related to your degree before you graduate. 

3. Virtual assistant

Are you an organized people-person? Small businesses and entrepreneurs need savvy, friendly students to be their part-time virtual assistants. 

Your hours will depend on the business’s needs. You can generally expect to work part-time anywhere from 5 - 20 hours a week, depending on your schedule. 

Best of all, you can do VA work from your phone or laptop!

4. Driving for Uber or Lyft

Some people love the thrill of driving. Take part in the gig economy by giving rides to people around town for either Uber or Lyft. 

Odds are, you’re probably in a college town where people regularly need designated drivers at night. You can make a killing with rideshare on any given Friday or Saturday night when you don’t have classes.

5. Daycare or babysitter

If you’re pursuing a career in psychology or education, consider working at a daycare center. You’ll work in a structured environment on a part-time basis, watching kiddos and having a blast. 

If a part-time gig at a daycare isn’t flexible enough, consider becoming a babysitter. Many families need sitters for date night, three-day weekends and holidays. 

Spend your spare time watching kids and earn good money for it. Once you put the little ones down to sleep, you’re often free to chill out. Use that time to write your term paper or get in a much-needed cat nap. 

6. Work study

You don’t have to leave campus to find a flexible job opportunity. Look around campus to see if any of the facilities or departments are hiring. 

More often than not, there will be positions open at the library, gym or academic departments. You might need to work the front desk, file or answer phones. 

Work study might not be a thrilling gig, but it’s super convenient if you don’t have a car! 

The bottom line

It’s a tough world. Not only do your professors expect pristine term papers, but your bank account also needs TLC. Balance both work and school by finding a flexible job for your schedule as a student. 

Now, do you need help finding and applying for a flexible job? We’ve got you covered. Here’s how you can find a job with no prior experience.