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The Ultimate Guide to Side Hustles for Busy Students: Gigs That Teens Can Earn Money With

Career & Money

June 03, 2024

College is nothing short of a whirlwind filled with lectures, tests topped off with clubs and social activities. While getting a part-time job can ease your financial burden, it can also often eat away at precious study or social time.

Luckily, the gig economy offers a solid solution.

With a little hustle, students of any level, be it graduate or undergraduate, can find well-paying gigs that don’t just adhere to their booked schedules but also manage to add to their bank accounts.

This article explores a few of the most profitable yet creative gig ideas that manage to cater to different skills and interests. Whether you're a whiz with computers or a creative intellect, there's a perfect side hustle out there waiting for you.

Read on to discover how you can turn your passions into profit!

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So, How Do You Land the Perfect Gig?

Securing the perfect side hustle comes with a set of boundaries and requirements. These involve asking yourself a few questions before searching for jobs. These questions will help tailor your specific needs and requirements. Hence, they also make finding a gig simpler.

Firstly, be realistic about your time commitment. How much time can you actually dedicate to a side hustle each week? You’ll need to start by making sure that cramming in a gig will not lead to burnout in the longer scheme of things.

Without sacrificing your social life as well as your studies, consider how much time you can genuinely dedicate to a side gig. Tracking how you spend your time during an average week could provide a few solutions to this question too.

Thought Catalog on Unsplash

Start small and scale up. It’s imperative to not fall into the trap of trying to take on too much too soon. It’s generally recommended to start with a few hours a week and gradually increase your workload as you get more comfortable.

Lastly, consider your skills and interests. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing?

Going into this process, you should aim to find a gig that feels more like an extension of doing the activities you love. The more you research and explore the cross-sections of your skills and interests, the better gigs you’ll be able to land. Remember that skills aren’t just limited to your academic ability- the more unconventional, the better! Even ordinary hobbies can translate into money-making passions.

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Tutoring: Online and Offline

Tutoring is an activity that could range from core subjects like mathematics, English, and science to specific areas like computer programming or playing the guitar. If you’re blessed with good communication skills or are looking to improve your interaction skills and also happen to be well-educated in a particular field, tutoring could work out as a great gig.

This side hustle is made even more convenient as platforms involving online tutoring services allow you to work remotely. If you excel in a particular subject or are a native English speaker, you can tutor online. There are many platforms that connect tutors with students, such as VIPKid or Cambly.

This side hustle enables you to be able to set your own hours. This will adhere to your class schedule.

Headway on Unsplash

Graphic Design: Where Creativity meets the Cash

If you’re passionate about exploring visual communication and have a creative side to you, then a side hustle in the sphere of graphic design might just be up your alley. Graphic Design essentially focuses on imagery as an art form to communicate ideas and convey information.

Graphic Design isn’t always a collaborative work field so if you’re the type of person who works better individually, then graphic design might be better suited to your working tendencies.

The main source of demand in the graphic design industry stems from businesses and brands of all sizes requiring compelling graphics for websites, social media, and branding materials. Graphic Design is ideal for busy students as it heavily compasses all sorts of flexibility. As long as you can work from anywhere with a computer and internet connection, graphic design can easily substitute for remote work.

You can start off by creating and selling pre-made graphic templates like social media posts or YouTube thumbnails on platforms like Etsy. Opening up your own small business by offering printable designs such as planners and wall art is another lucrative option. You can begin by hosting a website with a free plan and use social media to market your small business. Showcasing your best work on a user-friendly website— your portfolio— will highlight your experience, opening up a horde of potential employers.

Emily Bernal on Unsplash

Web Development: Local and International

A strong online presence and a solid marketing plan are essential for any upcoming business! This involves web development which is a task that’s always in high demand in the startup and business world.

You can both reach out to small businesses in need of interns or development services, or you can choose to apply to already existing jobs.

Graphic design ( as mentioned previously )is another add-on to your resume if you’re good at it. If you are equipped with the skills, web development combined with graphic design can prove to act as a lucrative side hustle. There is a high demand for these skills, and you can find freelance projects online or through local businesses.

Many retail stores and restaurants offer flexible hours that can work around your class schedule. This can be a good option if you're looking for a steady paycheck while wanting to gain customer service experience as well.

Domenico Loia on Unsplash

Conclusion

While monotony is often preferred by employers and consistency is often a bonus in the corporate world, it’s necessary to use your college time to work on the projects you’re most interested in. Remember to take on side hustles that don’t add stress to your busy life.

Instead, pick a passion that acts as an active de-stressor. Embrace change and focus on flexibility as you jump into the gig economy and side hustle market.

Nikitha Mahesh
5,000+ pageviews

Writer since Oct, 2023 · 20 published articles

Nikitha is a writer who mainly covers the facets of lifestyle and the startup world. You can find some of her personal essays on her website and Instagram.

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