14 Popular Work From Home Jobs For College Students

A lot of youngsters in college do not have the luxury of only being able to focus on their studies. For a multitude of reasons, they need to look for jobs that may be either full-time or part-time to earn on the side. The type they opt for will depend on multiple factors.

Recently, especially owing to COVID-19 and its aftermath, alternative work modes have grown in popularity. Offices have become more accepting of work methods like working from home, remote work, and freelancing. Looking at the way these trends have risen, one can hope to expect more of the same in the future.

There are a lot of important concepts that need to be understood in this realm. It is also important to note that remote work from a college student's perspective varies greatly from that of a regular graduate employee. Priorities and aspirations vary along with other elements.

Work From Home Vs Remote Work

The two terminologies are very similar and are often used interchangeably. What a lot of people, including those in the professional world, do not know is that there is a slight distinction between the two.

What is Remote Work?

Remote work is also sometimes referred to as telecommuting. It typically involves employees working individually from a different location away from the office setting. These can be distant locations in another city or even another country.

For example, an employee residing in India but working for a company based in the United States can be categorized as doing remote work. Such employees have to report to bosses and connect with other colleagues through online mediums.

What Is Work From Home?

Work from home is a form of work that is done specifically from one’s home. It can be done both on a short-term and long-term basis. However, it is not seen as a permanent option. It is mainly seen as a temporary alternative to working from the office.

For example, an employee has a family emergency and requests that his boss allow him to work from home for about a month until his issues get sorted out. Once everything is well at home, the employee is expected to join the office again.

What Is The Difference Between Work From Home and Remote Work?

The prime differentiator between the two is that remote work is typically done on a more permanent basis, while working from home is a temporary solution. Apart from that, they are mostly the same. This is why you often see them used interchangeably. Usually, there is not much harm in using one in place of another.

Benefits Of Remote Jobs For College Students

College students need to study, but apart from that, they are also young adults who are very eager to explore the real world. Finding work and earning money is something many college kids need to focus on for a variety of reasons. There are numerous benefits they may gain from this.

Extra Income On The Side

Most college students are at a stage in life where they slowly start to learn how to handle money. However, not everyone comes from a financially well-off background, so there are students in college who balance work and study.

For many, it also helps pay for tuition itself, especially when you consider the trend of student loans. Many kids are international students, and there may not be any relatives in the country to help them financially. Hence, they opt to join the workforce and earn for themselves.

Save Travel Time And Expenses

Working remotely can be a huge lifesaver. It saves you the trouble of having to commute to the workplace frequently. You also avoid having to pay for transportation, which is great for college kids as they typically operate on tight budgets.

Travel can also tire a person. By avoiding traveling to work regularly, you can save up your energy for other important tasks. It also reduces stress levels, which is always good for any individual.

Less Physically Strenuous Labor

It is going to take a lot of work to get a desk job for a college student since they are usually mere high school graduates. Most office jobs require degrees. But if you land a remote job, it is a given that it will be a desk job.

This will save you a lot of physical strain. Jobs performed by most workers without degrees are hands-on. Hence, they do require greater physical exertion. Hence, a desk job, even if it is remote, can be a good option. This is especially true for college students, who must balance it with their studies.

Opportunity To Enhance Skill-Sets

Working in a remote job (or any job) teaches you skills and gives you experience. Both of these are very important for growth in any individual’s career. These skills can range broadly and be of many types. You can use these hard and soft skills to put on your resume when applying for jobs in the future, or you can use them to write an effective cover letter too.

Why College Students Might Want Part-Time Online Jobs

Most college students who work usually have part-time jobs since they need to find time for their studies as well. Part-time jobs in general are a good option for anyone who has other commitments.

Less Tiring Schedule

Since part-time work has fewer hours, it leaves students less exhausted. Also, if the job is being performed online, that makes things even more convenient, as there won’t be any need to travel to work. This leaves them with more time and energy for academics or their social lives.

Lesser Responsibility

Employers will likely place fewer responsibilities on a part-time employee and, in general, have lower expectations from them. This helps reduce stress at work. However, employees should still work hard and give their best effort. A good work ethic can take you far in life.

Networking Opportunities

Entering the workforce will allow you to build connections with other workers, as they may prove useful in the future. Also, chances are that if the company hires you to work part-time there may be other part-timers there too.

Some may even be other college students going through similar struggles as yourself. Building good professional relationships with them can help you and them out. These opportunities can help you grow massively moving forward.

Popular Work From Home Jobs For College Students

More than merely understanding remote jobs, we must also know how to execute them. This section looks at some of the best online jobs for college students. It also examines the skills needed to excel in them. Without further ado, let’s get started:

1. Transcriptionist

Average Hourly Salary: $19/hour (Source: Glassdoor)

Their main task is to help convert audio to text. Many companies are hiring for such roles. It requires competent communicators and especially active listeners. The employees must also possess good written communication abilities in the requisite language.

It also helps you have good typing speed. A transcriptionist is also one of the most amazing side hustles for college students who plan on specializing in law, as it employs specialized transcriptionists in these roles.

2. Proofreader And Editor

Proofreader Average Hourly Salary: $21/hour | Editor Average Hourly Salary: $24/hour (Source: Glassdoor)

This is an ideal job for all the annoying Grammar Nazis out there. The role generally involves the correction of grammar and formatting for written content of various types. Although both job titles are different, they may be used interchangeably.

Many laymen also consider the two to be the same, but there are slight differences between the two. It turns out that a proofreader corrects grammar errors while editors improve the readability of the content.

3. Virtual Assistant

Average Hourly Salary: $19/hour (Source: Glassdoor)

They typically offer administrative services to clients and help them with certain tasks. This job is done online too, as the name suggests. This is a fairly diverse position. It may involve clerical work, social media, and even customer service. It is a great option for developing a broad range of skills.

It provides a great opportunity for them to shadow their clients and learn about their professions. They can be incredible opportunities for those with aspirations for business administration-related careers. Some of the skills learned are applicable across many industries.

4. Customer Service Representative

Average Hourly Salary: $17/hour (Source: Glassdoor)

They are important for companies and have to deal directly with customers. They must also possess good customer service abilities, as the name itself suggests. They interact with customers, typically over the phone or online, and help address issues they may be facing. They must possess a good knowledge of the business and its products and services.

This may require on-the-job training as well. They also must possess good communication skills, especially active listening, to properly understand customer queries. It is also a popular job title in the consumer services industry. It can be a great job to start with if you plan on further specializing in the consumer services field after college.

5. Data Entry Clerk

Average Hourly Salary: $16/hour (Source: Glassdoor)

They have to organize and arrange a set of data appropriately. On this basis, it is interpreted and utilized by more qualified workers. It may be considered a bit repetitive in nature, but it is a great option for high school graduates. One must possess good computer skills and knowledge to excel in this role.

It is a great entry point for those aspiring to work in data analytics in the future. It is a great option for those who like dealing with numbers or information in general. It is also great for those who like repetitive jobs that do not require much improvisation.

6. Graphic Designer/Illustrator

Average Hourly Salary: $23/hour (Source: Glassdoor)

This is great for those who possess artistic creativity along with good computer skills. This is a job that pays relatively well. Those involved in this job must design book covers, logos, website banners, etc. It also requires flexibility and adaptability, as each assignment has different requirements.

Those who enjoy new challenges and have a creative mind can thrive in this field. This is a career path that offers great scope for monetization. It can also be done on a freelance basis as well. Online tools that are used for design are constantly evolving, so a graphic designer needs to be up to date.

7. Video Editor

Average Hourly Salary: $22/hour (Source: Glassdoor)

They are often the unsung heroes behind a good video. It takes much longer to edit a video than to watch it, so the role of a video editor will take some work. They must start with raw clips and normal video footage and convert them into a good finished video. Videos must be cohesive and appealing.

Those who excel are great for entering the entertainment or media industries. It also requires a lot of creativity and effort but is fairly intriguing. A good video editor needs to be detail-oriented too. Also, video editing tools keep changing and updating, so one must always keep learning and educating themselves.

8. Bookkeeper

Average Hourly Salary: $19/hour (Source: Glassdoor)

Often considered synonymous with accounting by the layman, bookkeeping is a bit more basic as a role. Their duties include recording daily financial transactions and posting them. They must be recorded in the right books and be well organized. They must also perform calculations up until the trial balance stage and complete tax forms.

Also, personality traits like honesty are important, as a dishonest bookkeeper can misuse their position to pocket money. Hence, showcasing honesty and uprightness can be immensely helpful in this line of work.

9. Content Writer

Average Hourly Salary: $22/hour (Source: Glassdoor)

They must create written content to be used in various forms. This may be print or digital and typically showcases their products or services to readers. For this, it is also important to understand a company’s writing policies and adapt well to them. One must also have good knowledge of what the firm offers and its ethos.

It also requires good research abilities. Content writers must also interpret the information researched correctly before putting it into any written piece. Sometimes, they may require prior knowledge of Content Management Systems. Many times, they must also write content for social media.

10. Online Tutor

Average Hourly Salary: $19/hour (Source: Glassdoor)

If you are someone who can explain academic information well and has a passion for educating and helping others grow, then this may just be the field for you. It is a great job to start your career with if you have ambitions of entering the teaching profession in the future. By teaching others, there may be many important things we learn.

You must also be a good communicator, both as a speaker and as a listener. You must both understand your students well and be able to convey your message appropriately and clearly. Despite it being a remote job, understanding communication styles in the workplace helps. You must also be a good role model for students, even if you are teaching remotely.

11. Translator

Average Hourly Salary: $22/hour (Source: Glassdoor)

If you are multi-lingual, why not use your grasp of these languages to earn money on the side? Translation usually involves written text, which is either printed or digital. However, it can include spoken communication or other forms as well. Also, it is one thing to understand a language, but totally another to be a fluent communicator in it.

For example, you may have been a good student in French during your school days. You aced all your exams, but that alone is not enough. Being a good communicator in a language and doing well in exams are not always the same thing. But do not panic! With a bit of practice, all is possible.

12. Website Developer

Average Hourly Salary: $30/hour (Source: Glassdoor)

This is one of those jobs where, if you can showcase your skills, employers will prioritize them over fancy degrees. If you are a computer geek and know the basics of this craft, you have a chance. Knowing how to code well is essential. A lot of amazing websites these days have been designed by people without degrees.

You not only need to know how to design a website well but also be able to understand what potential users are looking for. You also need to know a bit about promotion and be resourceful with the online tools that are allotted to you.

13. Website Tester

Average Hourly Salary: $26/hour (Source: Glassdoor)

It is common for companies or website designers to hire testers to check and ensure their website is error-proof. They must detect and fix bugs so they can be resolved at an early stage. This helps prevent issues later on down the road. It can help improve the quality of the website. Once again, a degree is not a prerequisite to entering this profession.

They also help in the evaluation of the website and its performance on the internet. They must be good at understanding things from the user’s perspective and providing feedback accordingly. Hence, good communication skills help.

14. Remote Call Center Agent

Average Hourly Salary: $16/hour (Source: Glassdoor)

This is also a popular job title in the consumer service industry for college students. They must possess good people skills to deal with customers over the phone. They also need a calm temperament, as a lot of times they have to deal with unhappy and, at times, even rude customers.

They must gather client information and other details. They must have a thorough understanding of the company and its operations. Only then can they inform and update clients on company procedures and policies. They must be detail-oriented and know a bit of everything in the office.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)