CollegeCandy’s Guide to On-Campus Jobs

September 19, 2010 4:00 pm     Posted in Back to School, College, Reality  Ariel Abramowitz g+ page


By Ariel Abramowitz

Going to college is so much more than hauling your butt out of bed before noon on a Friday to sit in the back of a lecture hall and attempt the daily Sudoku. In order to even be considered for a job in this economy, students are expected to pull great grades, take on multiple leadership roles on campus and still manage to avoid going completely broke (not to mention swing awesome summer internships).

Whew. Just thinking about it makes me sweat.
And then thinking of all those craptastic jobs out there makes me ill. I don’t want to waste my precious free time flipping burgers or folding clothes at The Gap.

If you’re looking to inch ahead of your classmates and line your pockets with a little beer money, we’ve got your back. Below is our guide to the best on-campus jobs. Whether they pay big bucks, offer flexible hours that don’t conflict with your social life, or give you plenty of free time to do your homework, these are the gigs worth fighting (and giving up your afternoons) for.

Res Life Security / Mail Desk Clerk:
These are great jobs for any budding social butterfly. Your friends can stop by to say hello, keep you company as you sign guests in an out of the dorms and even bring you a delicious cheesy calzone from downtown (these are the best kinds of friends, in my opinion). Even better, if you work the mail desk, you know exactly who is receiving the best care packages from Mom or Grandma… and you know where they live. Both are great jobs because you are constantly interacting with new people… and scoping out the adorable male specimens living in your dorm!

Tutoring: English major? Consider editing papers for a few bucks. Or helping someone reword cover letters and resumes. Are you a closeted calculus connoisseur? Pimp your skills out on the bulletin boards in your dorm hallways. You can make your own schedule, set your own prices and improve your own grades. (It’s proven that teaching someone class material increases your own knowledge of the subject. Sweet!)

Desk Job at the Library, Campus Museum, or in the Computer Labs: What do all of these jobs have in common? Incredible amounts of down-time. If you can snag one of these jobs, you will be envied by ALL of your friends. Basically you are getting paid to do your homework. Bring your textbook and your laptop (if allowed, obviously) and get cracking on your studies!

Bartender/Cocktail Waitress: You may have to sacrifice a few nights out with your friends, but you will make TONS of money. And, let’s be honest, most of your friends will opt to spend their evenings at your “office” in hopes of scoring some free shots. You will be the gatekeeper of the Long Island Ice Teas, the Redbull and Vodkas, the Dollar Pitchers. Talk about holding a lot of power. There are plenty of bars willing to train their own staff, but you can use any breaks to get certified and perfect your craft. (And with two or three weeks left of summer, you’ve got plenty of time to sign up for a bartending class!)

Concert Venue / Sports Staff: Didn’t get football tickets this season? Blasphemy, I know. You don’t have to completely miss out on kick-off, half-time and the atmosphere of a college football Saturday. Work the concessions stand during a game or sign up to be an usher. You may miss tailgating and the pay probably isn’t great, but you won’t develop a severe case of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). And on the same note, if you can’t afford to pay to see whatever band is swinging into your college town this fall, work during the concert. The amount of work you have to do is a bare minimum and you get to see the show for free. Cha-ching!

23 Comments on "CollegeCandy’s Guide to On-Campus Jobs"

  1. Emily says:
    Sun, 19th Sep 201011:53 am 

    I had the best on-campus job my senior year. I was the coffee girl at my school's law school. I sat at this tiny snack bar and did my HW for 11 hours a week, got to talk to hot men, and had as much free coffee and tea as I pleased.

  2. Leah says:
    Sun, 19th Sep 201012:12 pm 

    I've done campus tours and worked in the Undergrad Admission job for over a year. Tours are fun if you like your school, you just get to talk it up to potential students & their parents.

  3. Vicki says:
    Sun, 19th Sep 201012:37 pm 

    Being a law enforcement major, I was able to volunteer with the student security team at my school. Most of the time I worked tailgating before football games, but I was also able to see a lot of comedy shows, concerts, and musicals. There were obviously some people that had to be dealt with, but overall it was fairly easy and I got to see the shows for free.

  4. grace b says:
    Sun, 19th Sep 20101:35 pm 

    The most enjoyable job I've had was working through our community service department for the historic organization. I got to work a few mornings a week and help set up displays and learn more about the history of this town. I have also worked for our school's phoneathon (crappy hours and all you do is call to ask for money). The easiest on campus job I've had is emptying recycling in a couple of dorms. It didn't give me a lot of hours but it was the least time intensive. This year (senior!!) I'm working home sporting events. It's okay….

  5. misnomer says:
    Mon, 20th Sep 20107:18 am 

    I wouldn't recomend the mail desk job if you are looking for one with lots of down time. My boyfriend works in the mailroom and its a lot of work.

    For the tutoring job, see if you can get a position with the school. Those tutors are usually free so you'll have a hard time competing with them. Its a good way to work with the system.

    http://studentswhostillhavesouls.blogspot.com

  6. Erin says:
    Mon, 20th Sep 20108:49 am 

    I just got (officially) hired for my school's paper this semester, and I get paid per issue. I'm lovin' it.

  7. jackyrog says:
    Tue, 21st Sep 20108:23 pm 

    These all information which you can share is really very great. Most of the time I worked tailgating before football games, but I was also able to see a lot of comedy shows, concerts, and musicals.

    abendkleider

  8. collegee says:
    Wed, 22nd Sep 20105:57 am 

    bartending is hands down the best job… you make bank and it's tons of fun!

  9. Kelly - University o says:
    Fri, 24th Sep 201011:52 am 

    Agreed, bartending is the best job. I was just promoted over the summer to bartender/manager of the bar I work at. A word of advice though, DO NOT go to bartending school unless you already work at a bar. Girls have applied and listed their job history as "Lifeguard for 4 years but I went to bartending school". Just because you know how to make drinks doesn't mean you'll be able to live the bartender lifestyle. And believe me, it takes a lot out of you.

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    Wed, 6th Oct 201010:10 pm 

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    Wed, 6th Oct 201010:12 pm 

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    Wed, 6th Oct 201010:13 pm 

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  13. Richard Ang says:
    Sat, 9th Oct 20104:59 pm 

    Doing part time jobs while in college is really tough one. I guess if you are really that determined to support your studies and you have a very high goal for yourself, you can do it. private tutor singapore

  14. Charlie says:
    Thu, 4th Nov 20108:23 pm 

    Here's a job where you make $$$ telling your friends and classmates about Banana Books. Awesome prizes too: Free textbooks, iPads, Caribbean Cruise! Apply now: http://bananatextbooks.com/info.php?job

  15. Emma says:
    Sun, 14th Nov 20106:09 pm 

    Student Ambassador/Tour Guide: Tours are fun as long as the weather cooperates. Office work is varied and interesting. People in office are nice and give you free tickets and wine. Pay is excellent, especially for open days. Sweet job.

  16. German says:
    Fri, 13th Jul 201211:44 pm 

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