We’re all familiar with the typical student jobs we get in first year and inevitably begin to resent by the time exam season comes around. Often the usual suspects like bartending or waitressing can become more burdensome as the year progresses. So, to avoid missing out on your Saturday morning lie-in or to facilitate your all-night cramming sessions, here are some flexible and unorthodox student jobs you could consider doing instead.
Tutoring/Grinds
Your diligent studying for secondary school exams doesn’t have to stop benefitting you since moving to university. The demand for school grinds is surprisingly high and there’s never a shortage of college students in need of extra tutoring. It’s the perfect money maker for anyone who is looking to teach in uk after they get their qualifications because it allows them to show that they already have experience tutoring people. A lot of schools see it as a massive positive if they see tutoring experience on applicant CVs. On the whole, there seems to be more of a demand for grinds than there are tutors available to teach them, so even a quick look online could provide some handy jobs. Online tutoring jobs have also become more popular, so you could even tutor from the comfort of your own home, whilst commuting or being sat in the library. You can easily advertise yourself by using local noticeboards or by signing up for online services connecting eager tutors with stressed-out students.
Blogging
While the term “blogging” itself sounds dated, the blogosphere has really taken off in recent years and what was once, for most people, a pastime is now something that can become very profitable with a bit of effort and a clear vision. Although more work might be required to get a successful blog set up, if you’re the kind of person who could discuss films, art or even knitting for hours, you may as well try to make a bit of money off of it and have your take on purl stitching appreciated.
Monetise your hobbies
Are you artistic in any way, shape or form? Whether it’s playing an instrument or producing handmade cards, special skills sell! It’s surprisingly easy to work as a wedding or events musician, or sell your crafts on online marketplaces such as Etsy. Take the advice from someone whose only job as a teenager was working as a wedding harpist: get ahead by offering slightly lower rates than a professional and make your own business cards to hand out to hotels.
Campus Jobs
While these may be less frequently up for grabs, there is a surprising amount of under-the-radar opportunities provided for students to work on campus. Whether it’s feeding hungry students in the SU cafe on Pearse street or stacking books as a student shelver in the Berkeley, these jobs are designed to fit in with your busy college schedule and can be remarkably flexible. Keep an eye on the Trinity website and on Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union’s (TCDSU) job page, since they post as soon as new positions become available.
Foreign Language Teaching
Teaching a foreign language is a great option for flexibility. If you’re an international student with another language at your disposal or you are one of the lucky people who are bilingual, check with the relevant language departments. You could even work as a language assistant in Broad Curriculum classes, which typically run during the evenings, ensuring no interferences with lectures.
