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by Alexis Grant
It may be hard to find a job, but that won't be a good excuse for a slim résumé when you're sitting across from a recruiter next year. Like it or not, college students are expected to pull good grades in tough classes while gaining professional experience on the side. And for students who depend on their own paycheck, steady work also brings in much-needed cash.
Your best bet is to look for a job that's related to the career you're hoping to pursue, so you can gain relevant skills, contacts, and experience. If you don't know yet which career is right for you, use your college job to help you figure that out, says Lindsey Pollak, author of Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the RealWorld. If you don't end up enjoying the job you choose, you can cross it off your list of potential careers.
These 10 jobs are great choices for students because they look good on a résumé, work around class schedules, and offer decent pay. Keep in mind that if you work on campus, your boss may be more sympathetic when you need time off to study for a sociology exam or finish that chemistry lab.
1. On-campus tour guide
By showing prospective students, their families, and alumni around university grounds, you'll no doubt improve your speaking and presentation skills. It can also be an opportunity to learn more about your school. "You also demonstrate that you have maturity," says Dan Klamm, outreach and marketing coordinator at
2. Brand ambassador
Whether you're working for Pepsi, JetBlue, or Neutrogena, marketing a product to your peers can be a great way to make a buck -- or at least bring home a few free samples. Many medium and large companies want a presence on college campuses, and those free samples are likely to make you a hot commodity among your peers. "That type of position has the backing of the national company," says Klamm. "You put down on your résumé that you worked for
3. On-campus IT support
Because you'll gain real-world experience without leaving campus, this is one of the best work-study jobs for students working on a degree in a relevant area. Sue Dahlin, assistant director for career advising at
4. Social media consultant
As online brand building becomes more important, small businesses are turning to part-time or contract employees to help run marketing campaigns on
5. Waiter or waitress
Some students make the mistake of thinking this doesn't look good on a résumé, but it's all about how you spin your experience. "[Don't] say, 'I served burgers and fries,' " says
6. Writer
If you're headed for a career that involves communications -- and most do -- you may gain advantages by working as a writer. Look for work with the school paper or other campus publications or with an off-campus marketing agency. Many marketing firms and local or online publications can't afford to hire full-time writers, so they depend on freelancers to fill the gaps, says Emily Bennington, who helps college graduates transition into careers through her company, Professional Studio 365. Rather than wait for a job posting, you're better off contacting the firm or publication you want to write for and asking whether they hire freelancers, she says.
7. On-campus career services
It isn't easy for college students to learn the ins and outs of the professional world while keeping up their grades. Working in career services can help you become familiar with the job-hunting process and comfortable talking with employers and recruiters. At some schools, student employees may also hear about internship opportunities and networking events they may have otherwise overlooked.
8. Bank teller
About 1 in 4 tellers work part time, so college students might find flexibility in a bank job. This position will help you gain experience with customer service, and if you're moving toward a career in finance, it may be a good way to get your feet wet. But don't limit yourself to being a teller -- even if that's what you're paid for, says Tom Fitch, assistant dean for commerce career services at the
9. Working for yourself
Regardless of the product or service you're selling, starting a business may appeal to entrepreneurial-minded students. If you can pull this off, you'll be able to set your own schedule, choose your clients, and possibly make contacts in an industry that interests you. Kevin Nall, associate director of
10. On-campus alumni affairs
Whether you're fundraising, following up on mailings, or working alumni events, this job is full of networking potential. Be professional yet personable when you call or interact with alumni, and you may score contacts that will help you land a summer internship or post-graduation job. And don't pass up the opportunity to work the registration table at alumni events. "Alums love to talk to current students," Pollak says -- and that can work to your advantage.
Available on Amazon.com:
Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons from an Educational System That's Leaving Them Behind
Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College
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10 Paying College Jobs That Look Good on Your Resume