Working while attending college is something that many students find they must do. When you do go on the hunt for a job, here’s a handy little tip. Find a job that offers benefits such as free movie or concert tickets. You may also search for the best jobs for students that gives you a chance to hang out with one of the sports teams. Find something that interests you and look for a job in that area. The perks will be worth the hours you put in.

Tour Guide

Do you love history? Can you recite little known facts about your school, the architecture or the faculty? If this describes you, working as a tour guide may be the perfect job. Many schools hire employees to show potential students and their families around. Others will hire you to help at a school event or act as an ambassador, spreading goodwill around. One of the benefits of this type of job is that you may even have the chance to meet celebrities. As a tour guide, you will accompany them on a trip through the school. Perks include such things as free clothing with your school’s logo on it and flexible hours. Getting a job as a tour guide may be the most difficult part as there are limited spots and many want them. Not only must you be able to converse easily with a wide variety of people, you must also take care to be neatly groomed. No one wants a tour guide with stains on his shirt.

Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor

If you love to work out and enjoy participating in sports, a job working as a personal trainer or fitness instructor may be just what you need. Employment opportunities include gym attendants and fitness class instructors and usually pay $10 to $15 an hour. Your hours will most likely be flexible and you can combine your personal workout with your job. It’s an easy and fun way to stay in shape. Certification will most likely be required along with first aid and/or CPR training and you may be required to work evenings and weekends. Those are the only drawbacks.

Waiter/Waitress

This is one of the best jobs for students as you can make a fortune in tips. Many students put themselves through school off of this money alone. Spending money will never be a problem as you take your tips home daily and your schedule will most likely not conflict with your classes. This is a great opportunity to learn skills such as sales and customer service, especially for a business major. Weekends are when you will make the most money so be prepared to give up some fun activities, but the money is well worth it. This job can be very demanding, both mentally and physically. Make sure you can stay pleasant even when confronted by rude customers or drunks. This can be difficult in good times, but even harder when you are tired and your feet are aching.

Caregiver

Many students opt to work as a non-medical caregiver for a disabled or elderly person. These jobs do not require that you do personal tasks such as bathing. Your main tasks will be to keep your client company while performing light errands and basic housekeeping tasks. Home Instead Senior Care is a great place to search for this type of job and can help you find employment that fits well in your schedule. If you prefer the younger generation, check out Sitter City which performs a similar service. The problem many run into with this type of job is that missing work is not allowed. Someone must be there in your place or your client may suffer.

Athletic Team Assistant

If sports is your life, but you are not athletically gifted, consider working as an athletic team assistant. Here you will act as a manager or assistant. Tasks include assisting with practices, collecting uniforms and equipment or supervising the bench area. Travel is a large part of this job and is a great way to see other parts of the country while someone else is paying. The hours are not great. Early morning, late night and evening hours may be required. If you can handle that, don’t hesitate to apply. It is easy to see why this is considered one of the best jobs for students.

Tutor

Do you excel in one particular subject? Would you like to share this knowledge? If you are proficient in a particular area, such as French or algebra, offer your services as a tutor. This is one of the highest paying jobs and your services will always be in demand. Your tutoring schedule can be set to when you are available, allowing you more freedom. Many student help centers at colleges and universities maintain a list of tutors so put your name there. You may also wish to use a referral service. You must be tough on your clients, while still remaining supportive and patient,. This can be a delicate balancing act, but must be handled. Many feel this is one of the best jobs for students.

Usher or Ticket Taker

Events are a big part of college life. These can range from sporting events to guest speakers. If you do not mind large crowds, consider working in this area. Tasks include crowd control, security and taking tickets. The benefits of this type of job are enormous. Not only will you get to see may of the big games, you may also hear celebrities who come to give a speech or attend sold out concerts. You might even get to meet some of your heroes. The only drawback is that you don’t get to choose which events you work. You may be stuck listening to a dull speaker while your co-worker is jamming to Amy Winehouse.

There comes a time in every student’s life when you will begin to take stock of your circumstances–particularly your funds. There are categories for which you may fit comfortably. If you are the captain of all the popular sport teams; basketball, soccer and varsity and you bench press more than what’s in your bank account, than you would fit in the “jock” category. But one more criteria will nail it: you gave up milkshakes for protein power shakes in grade school. Then it is certain that a “Jock” you are and you have skills that can make your funds increase when you consider the student jobs that fit your category. Getting a job as a lifeguard would fit your skill level nicely. This job could be part time for the summers or even full time at an all-year gym or indoor pool. Oh wait, are you thinking that because you can’t swim the lifeguard option is out of the question? Not so fast Mr. Jock: You could still work or volunteer at your local YMCA and have free access to the weight room. Maybe you can put those muscles to more use and get your nail dirty at the same time with a job at a local auto shop. Consider applying to your local Jiffy Lube or Auto zone.

However, if your idea of working your muscles is the one in your head called the brain then you may fit easily in the “Nerd” category. Since we are all friends here let’s talk about how your Warcraft subscription-that won’t pay for itself–so you need a way to make that continue. What other way besides a student job can fit the bill? A student job doing something you love to do–work the brain muscle–is the best option. And since you are on your way to becoming a rocket scientist, many of these student jobs will be prefect for you. Consider, if you will, a job at AT&T or T-Mobile part time. Either one would be right up your alley and it won’t insult your intelligence.

Okay so you are not a ‘Jock’ and you didn’t even know that your brain was a muscle–then your interest might lie more to beauty or fashion. Let’s face it you are gorgeous and everybody knows it. If that isn’t enough, you were voted most popular because rays of sunshine follow you where ever you go. You would fit in the category of “Homecoming Queen.” In fact, the school is thinking about renaming the event after you, in your honor. You, too, can find a part time job that fits your personality. Places like Ulta will benefit from your ability to apply foundation in five seconds flat and kids’ toy stores, such as Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us would benefit from your sunshine personality that rubs off on everyone you meet.

The ‘Gothic/drama kid that lives for the band’ category is yours and you know it–if you pride yourself as being different and going against the grain of society is your purpose in life. Your style alone screams “Art” and you can use it to find student jobs that will work to improve your cash flow. You could be around theater arts by working at one. AMC theaters would be a good option. But that’s not the only option: Photography may be more up your creative tree. A part time job at places like JCPenny Portrait Studios or Picture People would allow you to use your creative energy and get paid.

Donald Trump began his rise to the top by redeeming soda bottles for the deposit money. You don’t have to start your career this way. By obtaining part-time college student jobs that are in your field of study, you can get your foot in the door and keep it there. Finding the right type of job can assure you make money now and in the future. The experience you will gain can help tremendously when graduation day finally does roll around. If you are a business major and are looking for a job, here are a few areas to consider.

Restaurant Jobs

Working in a restaurant is one of the best college student jobs for business majors. You must have top-notch people skills to work in this type of environment. Not only must you be good with people, you must also be friendly and courteous. One advantage of this type of job is that you will learn to sell yourself and your product. Ask for assistance from those who have been in the industry for some time. They are a great resource and can give you information not taught in any classroom. The owner will have more entrepreneurial tidbits to share than he will ever remember while the manager can help you with the financial as well as human resource aspects. If you are skilled in one particular area, mention this to the boss. He just may let you help with those tasks.

Customer Service Jobs

Customer churn is a huge problem in today’s competitive market. Churn is the turnover of your customer base. In order to obtain a customer and have him stay with your company, you must provide excellent service. If you don’t, he will have plenty of other companies to choose from. For this reason, customer service is one of the best college student jobs for business majors. You will learn how to work under pressure and deal with all kinds of personalities. Many situations are encountered in this field, allowing you to solve a wide variety of problems. This also helps you to develop empathy for the customer as well as giving you the chance to find ways to improve the company. Start your search for a job in call centers, offices and retail stores.

Retail Jobs

By working in the retail industry, you can learn a great deal about branding, marketing and selling one or more products. This will also give you a look at the inner workings of a major company. Here you will learn how and why some products succeed and some don’t. Be sure to ask plenty of questions as this is the best way to learn. Senior managers of some of the world’s largest companies started as a stock boy and worked their way to the top. You can do this also with some hard work on your part.

Administrative Jobs

Working as an administrative assistant is one of the preferred college student jobs. This job involves a variety of tasks including, but not limited to, answering phones and making travel arrangements. Topics you will learn about include communication, budgeting and organization. Learn the everyday workings of corporate life at a personal level. Most people don’t have this opportunity so take full advantage of it. A job well done can lead to a job offer after graduation. The contacts you will make are invaluable which is why this is a great career move.

The semester is just starting and you are already broke. Your parents refuse to answer your calls and you find it is time to get a job immediately. The easiest way to find college student jobs is to search for ones available on campus. Many schools offer employment in the library, student center or faculty offices. College towns are also known for an abundance of jobs designed for kids attending school, especially in food service and retail industries. Don’t let your need for money overwhelm your common sense though. It is never a good idea to take a job that you will hate. It will show in your work and future references from the employer. Here are some of the worst college student jobs.

Computer Lab Monitor

Many in need of employment take this job thinking it will give them ample time to complete coursework and study for exams. Nothing is further from the truth. Your time will be spent helping visitors to the lab and your work will suffer. This is also a very low paying job so you will be losing out in more than one way.

Overnight Delivery Driver

College students love to order food in. The problem arises in the fact that starving students are notoriously poor tippers. This is especially true when you deliver in middle of the night. Not only will you not receive a good tip, if you get any at all, but you may also witness something you would prefer not to or be the victim of a practical joke. Many college student jobs exist in the food delivery field. It’s just better to find one where you can obtain earlier hours.

Dining Hall Worker

This job is similar to working in a sit down restaurant. The main difference is that you will not receive any tips and you will have to clean up some nasty messes. Although you may be desperate for money, this is not the route to go. With so many college student jobs available, this type of work should only be taken as a last resort.

University Fundraiser

Although you may receive a fancy title such as “Alumni Relations Specialist”, the truth is you are nothing more than a telemarketer. With this type of work, you will be cold calling alums to ask for donations. Not only will people scream at you, they may also call you names or slam the phone down in your ear. Minimum wage is all that is to be expected with this type of job although you may be offered commission. It’s just not worth it for the little that you will be paid. You must be thick skinned and able to sell ice to an Alaskan if you want to go into this career.

For some reason, many people are under the impression that students in college and high school have an easy life. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only do they have to wake up early in the morning to head off to school, their afternoon and evening hours are also usually packed. There is no break from the time their feet hit the floor until their head hits the pillow at night. Between sports, clubs, part-time jobs and friends, life can be very busy for a teenager or young adult.

Some kids do actually manage to avoid having to get a part-time job, but you can easily pick them out of a crowd. They are often the ones who are always borrowing money or asking their parents for some. They don’t often get to go out on weekends due to a lack of funds and may even show up at the school formal in a T-shirt it resembles a tuxedo. That would be the guys. For those that do hold down a job while attending school, it can be difficult to have a well-rounded life. This does not mean that college jobs are not important. The benefits a student will receive from having this type of job are numerous. Not only will they learn how to organize their time while earning money, they will also begin networking which will help them when they graduate. A few things can help to make this much easier on the student.

First, a student should find college jobs that allow for flexible hours. Many employers are more than willing to work with a student when it comes to scheduling around classes and extracurricular activities. Some will even offer to work with you to ensure that you have free time to do whatever you want. Restaurant jobs are very good place to start when you need to make spending money. Both fast food and sit down restaurants have a variety of hours to choose from, including after school and weekend once.

Retail college jobs are another great place to start. Many close at a time that will allow you to get plenty of rest. You will have to find work that won’t interfere with your studies and sleep. This is important because most experts believe that a student needs a minimum of seven hours each night. Sufficient sleep will allow you to be more productive during the day. One thing you must remember, when taking this sort of job, is not to take on too many hours. This can interfere with your studies and lead to you missing classes. It can also affect your work and lead to a poor reference for future jobs. Start with just a few hours and, if you feel comfortable, you can always ask for more at a later date.

Second, organizing your time is of utmost importance. You must be disciplined here are in order to have a balance in your life. A great way to do this is to prioritize all activities, including work. Now see how much time you spend on each one during any given week. It is better to overestimate than guess too low. Make sure you account for free time where you can just hang out with your friends. Once you have done this, you will have a better idea of how many hours you should pick up at work. It may be only one or two days a week to start, but that is okay. The only time this would be a problem is if you have rent to pay or other bills. Now that you have worked out a schedule, you will need to stay with it. Don’t let yourself get sidetracked by TV, friends or your significant other. This won’t help you now or in the future.

Finally, keep in mind why you’re working this job and why you started looking for college jobs in the first place. Money is not easy to come by and you must be responsible when it comes to your work. This is why you took the job in the first place. The only way to make money is to work hard and earn it. While others are out having fun, you will have the knowledge that you have a steady income coming in. While some may have to borrow from mom and dad just to go out for a quick bite and a movie, you will have your own money and not need to worry about it. This money will make life much easier when you want to do something fun. Another benefit that you may not consider is that you will be gaining valuable work experience. This will be of great help when you graduate as you will have a leg up on others who did not work while attending school. Although it can be difficult to juggle all of your responsibilities, it will become easier over time. The money is nice too.