Popular Part-Time Jobs for Students in the US

Part-time jobs are necessary for international students from Africa or Asia who go to study in the US. They are usually a lifeline for students since they need to pay off their steep living bills.

I mean, that rent isn’t going to pay itself off, is it?

There are various ways for you to earn that much needed extra cash and be able to sustain yourself to a certain degree.

In the US, you are of course allowed to work up to only 20 hours a week when classes are in session, and then only on campus – except after your first year when you may become eligible for some specified training programmes.

Most universities can assist international students with finding employment on and off campus.

Here are some of the most popular part-time jobs for students at American universities:

Popular Part-Time Jobs for University Students in the US

1. Library Monitor – Responsibilities in this job include maintaining the decorum and quiet atmosphere in the college library and supervision of study places. This is a job that will offer you a lot of quiet time to catch up on your own studies or to prepare for an upcoming exam. So along with making some extra cash, you will be making time for your academics too, or if you’re an ardent reader this job offers you a great opportunity to explore new works.

2. Teaching Assistant – If you are devoted to your academics, you can apply for these academic posts. There are two types of profiles – “teaching fellows” are usually graduate students, whereas, “teaching assistants” could be undergraduates too. You can find formal openings for this post if you search for them, but do not be afraid to ask your professor if you can help them out through the freshman year!

3. Tour Guide – Campus tours are a popular campus activity in the US among prospective students and applicants along with their parents. Since the American campuses are huge in size with a lot of historic architecture of importance, guided and paid tours are just a way to know the campus better. You can take up this job in the second, third or fourth year when you are well acquainted with your campus. In this job, you will be directly reporting to the Admissions Department of your college. This job requires you to be outgoing and friendly in order to give group tours and personal tours, and to talk to potential students about all that the college has to offer.

4. Peer Tutor – You can tutor your classmates or juniors to help them with the course. You can choose your own hours. If your university has an educational resource centre, there may be a formal tutoring position you can apply for. Colleges that place a lot of importance on athletic programs usually recruit tutors to work with athletes who don’t get enough time to devote to studies.

5. Academic Department Assistant – This is primarily a clerical job where you will have to deal with paperwork sorting and filing. Ask your Head of Department for the opportunities available. Departments generally give priority to students within the field.

If you work within your own department, it’s a good chance to make connections and network with professors, along with understanding the functioning of your department.

6. Campus Tech Support – Check with your computer support department for assistant job openings. If you’re computer savvy or majoring in a technical field, look for a job at your college’s computer centre. All US universities offer tech support to libraries, classrooms, and laboratories so it becomes an important job position to hold. Plus you will be required to work only in case of emergencies, so in your free time you can focus on your academics.

7. Production Assistant – American universities are known for the importance they place on extra-curricular activities like dances, concerts, comedy shows, and plays. All these events require a lot of backstage and technical work. So if you are interested in cultural performances, this is a great job which you will get paid for and you will get to watch performances free of cost while you work.

8. University Bookstore Assistant – All universities have a bookstore on campus that sells course books, reference books, works of fiction and other school supplies. Not only does it come with the convenience of being on campus, but you may even get really useful employee discounts on books, stationery, or other supplies. You can contact the bookstore manager directly to inquire about job openings.

9. Research Study Assistant – Research assistants collect information, conduct research or assist professors with a particular subject. They also work with other researchers who require research assistants for any work.

10. Babysitter – Yes this can be an on-campus job too! University employees, including professors and administrative staff, usually favour university undergraduates when choosing a babysitter, so if you like working with kids, check with your student employment office for openings available. Babysitters make good money (somewhere between $10-$15 per hour) and your hours will be used up differently on different days, depending on what age of kids you babysit.

11. Barista – Most university students live off coffee as they consider sleep to be a luxury. With so many exciting things happening in their lives, coffee is the most in-demand drink on campuses. If you love coffee yourself, work as a barista and you will learn a lot about coffee, espresso, tea, and other drinks. You will be given employee discounts that will save a lot of your money on coffee cravings.

Credit: Studyabroad.shiksha.com