The Rise of Side Hustles With Students

By Stephanie Jones

There is a rise of Side Hustles among college students that has brought more independence and responsibility to students and campus life. The cost of gas, food and tuition are all at an all-time high. Students are creating their own flexible ways to earn additional income. While balancing classes and creating ways to build real world skills and tools students are finding different ways to use these skill sets to make money. The online world has become a reliable source for students, but traditional services are still very much needed and appreciated as well.

Common ways to make money are to resell. Students are taking like to platforms like Depop which seems to be a top favorite. This app allows you to sell thrifted, used and used clothing items. The startup costs are little to know and you can do this from the comfort of your own home. While learning skills such as marketing, pricing as well as establishing online tools and building a small online brand. Content creation can lead to avenues of income such as on apps such as TikTok where some people can earn money through views. Determining what your niche is would be the first step, but the online world is unlimited with your imagination. If students are not earning much, they are at least gaining skills for future media or marketing careers.

Additionally, traditional service work such as tutoring, babysitting, pet setting and even lawn care are still outlets that students are using for income. Tutoring is an option for students with strong academics and want to be able to help their college community while making money. Babysitting, pet setting and lawn care are options as well and can sometimes find this type of work on an app. Traditional service work jobs tend to be immediate and consistent payments, but still manageable for busy schedules.

SUNY Niagara uses Handshake to connect students directly with job opportunities. This platform allows students to search for flexible jobs. When students log into Handshake their school credentials and the results will be customized. Handshake also provides services to prepare for employment and to support and help build professional skills. Resume building and connections to employers with these tools Handshake is preparing students for the future.

Students are finding creative ways to support themselves and their lifestyles with their own side hustle. Using their skill of what they are good at or learning new skills to build resumes, the options and reasons are endless. The digital world offers resources but in personal traditional work is just as relied on and it’s important to know all your options and resources.

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