A Complete Guide On Finding A Side Hustle In College

For ages, the timeless college gig was something easily clocked in and out of: waiting tables, turning babysitter or restocking shelves at the college library. But today’s college students are struggling with inflationary pressures—making them choose side hustles that align with their career prospects.

A 2024 survey by UNiDAYS found that over one-third of students have a side hustle, and 94 per cent of students without one are interested in starting one.

Nowadays, college students are making money from their social media following, freelancing in coding or graphic design, or tutoring high schoolers online. Others are selling second-hand items on Instagram thrift stores or dipping their toes into entrepreneurship through small-scale startups founded from dorm rooms.

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Where to start looking for side hustles

For a complete novice, the campus itself is a fertile ground for finding your next side hustle. University job boards typically list research assistantships, peer tutoring positions, or student ambassadorship positions that pay well, and offer the extra credibility of an institution.

Placement centres commonly work with local companies, while college professors can provide references to motivated students toward part-time work in their field.

Off campus, freelancing websites such as Fiverr, Upwork and LinkedIn’s ‘Open to Work’ features also help students land guaranteed internships or side gigs. Social media forums for college freelancers typically share opportunities, from content writing, social media management to digital marketing.

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Choosing the right side hustle for you

A good side hustle is less about pursuing whatever’s new and trending and more about discovering something that fits your career goals—and doesn’t sabotage your grades.

Time management is crucial. A side hustle with flexibility such as freelance writing or remote internships is likely better for student life than structured hourly jobs.

We recommend shooting for one of three categories:

1. Career-path hustles that directly involve your job field.
2. Low-effort hustles that give you regular income without being too time consuming.
3. Side hustles where you get to pursue your passions and start a personal brand.

The Bottom Line

A side business can be empowering, but it’s not a magical solution. Students should be cautious against burnout, exploitative labour in the guise of ‘exposure’, and scams on ambitious jobhunters.

Nevertheless, if selected judiciously, these ventures can enable students to graduate not just with a degree, but with real-world experience, financial buffer, and in some instances, the early beginnings of a career.

After all, in the modern economy, side hustles are not only a means to survive but are becoming integral to the education itself.

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Image courtesy: Freepik

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