College Money

College is an interesting time of life for many young adults, because it is a rare opportunity to spread their wings and test the waters in a number of unique opportunities. If you are a struggling college student trying to pay the rent and tuition at the same time, it can be challenging to find interesting ways to make ends meet.

That’s why many college students end up working the fast food circuit or a similar boring job to get the bills paid. However, supporting yourself through higher academia doesn’t have to mean slaving away at a boring task for peanuts for the next four years. There are fun ways to meet your financial obligations and possibly enjoy a few perks at the same time. We’ve got five fun jobs for college students that you might want to consider.

1. Lifeguard
Get your tan and earn your dough at the same time next summer. There are plenty of opportunities for those who are excellent swimmers and have a Red Cross Advanced Life Saving Certificate. Lifeguards can work at public pools, beaches, schools and recreation centers. The pay is usually decent and there may be opportunities to teach swim lessons as well. Indoor pools will also provide year-round opportunities so you can earn as much as you need.

2. Work for your Local Sports Team
Baseball, hockey, football and basketball teams all require a large staff to run game nights. Sell snacks in the bleachers or get behind the counter for concession sales. Maybe you can get a job in the office as an administrative assistant. The perks for a job like this go without saying, from meeting your favorite players to seeing every home game if you are working the crowd.

3. Work in a Movie Theatre
Sure you spend a lot of time sweeping popcorn off the carpet, but you might get to see every first release for free. Movie theatres also have flexible hours and are often willing to work around students’ schedules. However, keep in mind that theatres are open 365 days a year, so you might need to be willing to pull holiday duty at least once or twice during the year.

Click below to see how you can go from a dead end job to doing something you love and make money doing it.

4. Work in your Favorite Club
If you can’t get enough of the college party scene, you can make some money at your favorite activity by working as a bartender or waiter at a campus club. Some places will require a stint in Bartending School, while others will be willing to train you on the job. Some students make enough in tips to pay the bills and then some.

5. Work in a Video Store
If you are an avid gamer, the local video store may hire you to work behind the counter. Game stores like to bring in students that are knowledgeable about a wide range of games, and when business is slow, you may be able to sneak in some playtime of your own. Plus, you might get a reasonable discount on purchases.

Paying your way through college doesn’t have to mean drudging away at a boring part time job with few benefits. With a little imagination and some persistence in the job hunt, you can find a gig that will pay the bills and provide some fun at the same time. College is meant to be experienced and enjoyed.