10 Great Places for College Students to Work

Getting through college without going bankrupt is quite the ordeal but thankfully, these 10 great places for college students to work allow college students ideal situations to find the right balance in life during one of the life’s most demanding stages.

For those of us who do not belong to the top 1% of the population, getting a job in college is mandatory. We are not given options on whether we should take a job or not; all the choice we are given is on where we choose to work to make the whole experience worthwhile.

But what does a ‘great workplace’ mean, specifically for a college student? To answer this question, we have to look closely into the needs that are unique to working students. One, working college students need time. They need time to attend to every paper, homework and a quiz that college teachers hand out to them with reckless abundance – therefore, a great workplace is one that does not take up all their time. Secondly, college students need money. With the costs of books, tuition, and living among others, there is just no sitting down to opportunities to earn that extra buck. Thus, this means that a great workplace for working college students should offer decent compensation. Third, working college students need flexibility. They need a job that gives them the freedom to fulfill their positions without having to compromise their performance in school – pretty much like the occupations listed in our article – Easiest part time jobs for college students.

To make this list, we’ve consulted suggestions from several sources including Forbes, and Business Insider. While there is not one definition of what makes a ‘great’ workplace for college students, we have picked out the ones that offer good pay, more easily manageable and flexible with time, and maybe even offer opportunities to student workers on their education.

Read on to find out if your current workplace is on the list, or if you should already consider getting a new job!

10. Starbucks

Working as a barista in one of the world’s biggest, most recognizable international franchises is already a great option on its own but what puts Starbucks on our list of great places for college students to work is their program made especially for working students. Starbucks offers a College Achievement Plan (CAP) that offers such perks for college workers that can include part-time or full-time tuition coverage as well as professional coaching to help said working students achieve more in college. If only for that, Starbucks would have landed a higher spot on this list but the CAP is currently available only to Starbucks partners studying at the Arizona State University.

9. Library

If you have an innate and insatiable love for books, or just have a need for quiet places to study, the library may be your next best bet for great places for college students to work. College libraries make great workplaces for people who need all the extra time to study. Most jobs require nothing more than getting the books in order, making sure that everyone’s up to date on their borrowed books, and that peace and quiet are maintained in the library. It does not pay as well as most of the jobs here, but the studying opportunities make up for that.

8. Hotel

Compared to many of the jobs here, hotel work sounds a little demanding but the tips and the opportunities are rather inviting. One of the best positions for college students in hotels is as night auditor where you work the night shift to do office work and maybe even do some guest relations work. The job could earn you up to $30 an hour especially if you know important skills (i.e. bookkeeping).

7. Restaurants

There is primarily one thing that makes restaurants a great, great place to work for college students: tips. Working as a restaurant host, waitress, and even in food delivery is guaranteed to grant you tips on top of the hourly wage they offer. Food is often given free for the workers and the hours are short and easily manageable into a college student’s schedule.

6. Office

There are tons of office jobs available for part-time workers and many positions don’t require a college degree. One of the biggest advantages of working in an office as a college student is the real-world experience it offers to students. It does not matter if it’s a temp job or a simple administrative part-time job. The people you meet and the experiences you get to try from working in an office will give your post-college job hunt a big boost.

5. Wegman’s

Wegman’s is one of America’s most beloved supermarkets, and as it turns out, it is also one of the great places for college students to work in. Wegman’s, similarly like Starbucks, offers its college workers full scholarships. No wonder it ranked well on Fortune’s list of best companies to work for (2013).

4. Retail

Working in retail is basically the college student’s version of elementary school’s mowing lawns. With the right employer – any one of America’s best retail employers, ideally – a retail job could be your key to an impressive management and marketing training, a future career, or at the very least, a beautiful boost on your resume not to mention the right compensation. Hot sales and holiday sales can be challenging but if the job rewards you with commissions, it may just be well worth the sore legs.

3. School/Learning Center

Many local daycare centers and elementary schools are now opening up their doors to education majors for teaching aide positions. The merits of working in an institution related to your chosen career path not to mention the experience you earn will definitely work well for your prospects after graduation. Not an education major? Try tutorials! If there is a niche for what you’re studying to become (i.e. art) or you are talented at something (i.e. dance, music, getting fit), there will always be a market for tutorials.

2. Dormitory

Becoming a resident advisor is one of the best job options out there for homebodies! It is also great for college students who want to skimp on the costs of rent as resident advisors get a free board. Helping manage a building full of rowdy students can be quite the challenge but it pays off well compensation-wise, plus you don’t really have to go anywhere outside of the dormitory to earn. That saves both costs on board and costs on transportation. In our opinion, that’s a win-win.

1. At home

But of course, there is not a better place for working as a college student but at home? If you own a PC or a laptop, have stable internet connection, and you generally don’t mind being cooped up in your house for longer hours in a day than normal, working from home is your best option on this list of the 10 great places for college students to work. There are tons of ways to earn from home with the countless options that the worldwide web offers us. Become a writer, photo editor, researcher, even an Etsy seller – and do all that in the comfort of your home or dorm room in your pajamas. If becoming a digital nomad has been your dream ever since that word has been created, working from home while in college is your first big step towards achieving it.

Which of the 10 great places for college students to work do you think is best for you?