6 Part-Time Jobs You Will Actually Enjoy

There’s no denying that the student lifestyle is great, but it isn’t necessarily easy on the wallet. Between all the socialising and the weekly shops, you’re probably going to end up spending quite a bit, and your student loan will only take you so far.

For this reason, most students go out and find a part-time job to get a little extra cash to fund their time at uni. This might seem like a daunting prospect, but there are plenty of jobs out there that you’ll actually enjoy doing, so we’ve decided to outline a few of our favourites.

PR/EVENTS

When you think about part-time work, images come to mind of working long shifts behind a counter or on a shop floor, but this doesn’t have to be the case. It’s always a good idea to look for part-time roles that will complement your future career. If you’re thinking of working in PR or event management, you’ll find that there are plenty of part-time jobs that will make your CV stand out further down the line.

Get in touch with local bars and clubs that are looking for staff to promote what they do; demonstrate that you’re a sociable, outgoing, enthusiastic person, and you’ll be in a good position to help them get noticed.

In these roles you’ll help them put together promotions to draw in a student market, while also acting as an ambassador for their business, sharing what they do through social media, and helping to organise events. Most bars will let you attend their events for free, which means you’re not only getting paid for working with them, but you’re saving money on ticket costs (and sometimes drinks too!).

TUTORING

Think back to when you were studying for your exams in school – wouldn’t you have benefited from a little extra help every now and again? Well, there are plenty of students looking for a helping hand when it comes to studying, and their parents will usually pay good money to give them that boost they need.

If you’ve got a natural flair for explaining tricky concepts, tutoring could actually prove to be a lucrative part-time job. Be prepared to show your credentials for this, because parents will expect you to have good grades across the board. Make sure you stick with it, because if you deliver results, a big bonus could head your way.

WORK FOR YOUR UNI

You spend most of your time at uni anyway, so why not make it your place of work – it’ll probably save you money in travel costs too. Your university is invested in giving you the best opportunities, and if that means giving you priority when it comes to part-time work, then that’s what they’ll do, so it’s a good idea to use this to your advantage.

There are a few different jobs that you can do at your uni, but most of them are related to the student union. This means that you’ll get to see your pals while you work (a bit like Rachel from Friends during her stint in Central Perk), but it’s worth keeping in mind that you might feel left out when you’re sitting at the sidelines and they’re having fun.

Alternatively, you can work as a student ambassador, telling the world how great it is to study at your university. If you choose to do this, you’ll take an active role in attracting new students to your institution, which means you’ll get to experience that great feeling you get when you give something back to the uni you love.

BECOME AN EXTRA

It’s okay: there’s nothing wrong with sitting in your pyjamas on a Sunday morning watching back-to-back episodes of Hollyoaks, Coronation Street, and Emmerdale – they are the pinnacle of British TV, if you ask us. But wouldn’t it be a good feeling seeing yourself milling about in the background of your favourite soaps?

To become an extra, all you have to do is pay out roughly £20 to get a few professional headshots and sign up to a casting agency, then they’ll take care of the rest. You provide them with your availability and they’ll find all of the work for you.

Filming is mostly done throughout the day, which fits perfectly with the student timetable, and you can expect to earn decent money, especially if the day of filming goes over what you initially agreed to, because you’ll be paid more for the overtime. The more work you do as an extra, the more likely you are to get a minor speaking role, which means you’ll be entitled to even more money, as you’ll advance on to the next pay-tier.

GET INTO DOG-WALKING

Dogs are incredibly loyal animals. Feed them, walk them, love them, and in return they will devote themselves to you. Unfortunately, as much as owners care for their dogs, they can be too busy to give them the attention that they deserve throughout each day, which is where you step in. All you have to do is give their pet a good long walk on their behalf in exchange for a fee of your choice (within reason, obv.).

In a sense, you’ll be working for yourself, and it’s all about how you choose to market your services. You might be able to charge more if you offer a service that walks multiple dogs at the same time, giving them the opportunity integrate with other pets. Alternatively, you could position yourself as a luxury dog-walking service, and up your price that way – it’s all down to you.

BECOME AN EBAY ENTREPRENEUR

That’s right: you don’t need a boss, because you can be your own boss. If you’ve got access to a PC and a camera, you could find yourself becoming the next Alan Sugar. Online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon have made buying and selling incredibly easy – you can literally purchase an item at the click of the button, so why wouldn’t you use this to your advantage?

The trick to this is finding items that people want, and putting these items online for good prices. Regardless of what you’re selling, all you need to do is find a supplier where you can buy things in bulk for next to nothing, up the price, and sell the individual items online. You’re a one-man business, from marketing right through to distribution, so you control it all. Do it right and not only are you making some extra money, but you’ve also got some great experience to put on your CV.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE LATEST OPPORTUNITIES

New exciting opportunities are always popping up for students, and the flexibility of your timetable will usually put you in a good position to take advantage of them. Take a look at our blog to stay up-to-date with the best ways to make the most of student life.