Best Jobs for College Students

Updated on March 30, 2024

Finding the right job as a college student can be a balancing act. You need something flexible enough to accommodate your class schedule while also paying decently. Here’s a list of jobs that not only offer a good balance between work and study but also provide valuable experience that can be beneficial in your future career.

Research Assistant

  • Average Salary: $36,000 – $57,000
  • Job Description: Assist in academic or private sector research, contributing to projects and experiments.
  • Responsibilities: Support lead researchers, data collection, analysis, and report writing.
  • Required Education: Varies depending on the field of research; often, current enrollment in a relevant college program suffices.

Marketing Coordinator

  • Average Salary: $44,000 – $61,000
  • Job Description: Assist in executing marketing plans, track performance, and analyze data to suggest improvements.
  • Responsibilities: Data collection, market analysis, and coordination of marketing activities.
  • Required Education: Typically requires a degree in Marketing or a related field, though some positions may accept current students.

Public Relations Assistant

  • Average Salary: $40,000 – $56,000
  • Job Description: Handle various PR tasks like managing calendars, responding to media requests, and writing press releases.
  • Responsibilities: Media communication, PR strategy implementation, and relationship building with media contacts.
  • Required Education: Usually requires a degree in Communications, Public Relations, or a related field.

Accountant

  • Average Salary: $50,000 – $78,000
  • Job Description: Manage financial records, prepare tax returns, and audit financial documents.
  • Responsibilities: Financial auditing, document preparation, and tracking financial metrics.
  • Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field is typical.

Financial Analyst

  • Average Salary: $60,000 – $85,000
  • Job Description: Analyze financial data to forecast business, industry, and economic conditions for use in making investment decisions.
  • Responsibilities: Collect and interpret data, make financial forecasts, and advise on investment decisions.
  • Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, or a related field.

Sales Representative

  • Average Salary: $58,000 – $104,000
  • Job Description: Work with potential customers to facilitate sales by educating them on products and services.
  • Responsibilities: Customer engagement, sales closing, and relationship management.
  • Required Education: Varies widely; some roles require only a high school diploma, while others may require a college degree.

Auditor

  • Average Salary: $46,000 – $77,000
  • Job Description: Examine and prepare financial records while ensuring their accuracy and compliance with laws and regulations.
  • Responsibilities: Financial inspection, risk assessment, and compliance auditing.
  • Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field, along with specific certifications for higher positions.

Event Coordinator

  • Average Salary: $40,000 – $59,000
  • Job Description: Plan and execute various events, ensuring they meet client expectations and stay within budget.
  • Responsibilities: Venue selection, vendor coordination, and event logistics management.
  • Required Education: Degree in Event Management, Hospitality, or related fields, though some roles may accept experience in lieu of education.

IT Engineer

  • Average Salary: $56,000 – $96,000
  • Job Description: Ensure the optimal functioning of an organization’s IT infrastructure, resolving any technical issues.
  • Responsibilities: System troubleshooting, hardware and software configuration, and tech support.
  • Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or related field.

Teacher

  • Average Salary: $36,000 – $56,000
  • Job Description: Educate students, create lesson plans, and assess student progress.
  • Responsibilities: Instruction, curriculum development, and student assessment.
  • Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education or subject matter along with teaching certification.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right job as a college student is crucial. It should not only help you financially but also offer flexible hours to accommodate your study schedule and, ideally, provide relevant experience for your future career. Whether it’s assisting in research, contributing to marketing efforts, or even teaching, the key is to find a role that aligns with your career goals and academic commitments.

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I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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