Being a university undergraduate usually means living on a shrinking wallet – from adult metered transport fares to expensive textbooks, expenditure as an undergraduate usually accounts for the dismal state of one’sbank account. At least we still qualify for student discounts.
It is however possible to counter this ever present increasing expenditure, especially if you would like to minimize the financial burden on your parents or maintain your lifestyle of good food and travel. Many undergraduates take up part time jobs alongside their studies, which is wholly feasible especially given the generally flexible timetable you get in university.In the spirit of the summer holidays (lots of fun! and a great time to source out jobs!), these are several not uncommon part time jobs that you can take up alongside your studies.
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Tuition
Most undergraduates rely on tuition as their main source of extra income ask any university student and more often than not you’ll find that they are giving or have given tuition in some way or another. Much of its allure lies in the flexibility of timing and location, familiarity with the subject, as well as how you –as the tutor are able to set your own rate, which usually ranges from $25/hour to $40/hour depending on the academic level of your student in school.
While finding a student may seem like a tall order, you may be surprised by the power of word of mouth. Alternatively, you can go through online tuition agencies such as Frankl Tuition or Smart Tuition to name a few from a quick Google search. However, do note that you may have to pay an agent fee, and be wary of sharingyour personal information.
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F&B
Working part time in a restaurant is pretty feasible, especially if you have free days, or if you are able to commit the weekends. Why not work in the evenings if you have morning classes? Or work the morning shiftif you have a 2pm class that day? Many F&B retailers are pretty flexible about their timings so long as you are able to commit and meet a certain number of hours per week. This means that you won’t even have to work every single day; thrice a week is possible if you are able to work out an arrangement with the company.
Most part time F&B jobs should offer you a decent hourly rate that ranges from $6 to $8, alongside the experience of service and meeting different types of people on the job. You may even learn more about yourself and about this industry which we so often patronize without thought. The best part is that F&B jobs are not very hard to find and secure, especially if you are looking for one that is both accessible and in the vicinity of your home or your university. You could even try working at the Starbucks outlet in your university!
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Freelance
Do you have a unique skill that you are able to sell? Are you able to create attractive websites? How about producing substantial promotional videos and posters? With a substantial portfolio, there are many freelance opportunities out there for you regardless of whether you can take professional photographs, write in an informed and engaging manner on specific topics or if you have found a niche in design. So long as there is a demand for such skills, freelancing is a real possibility if you have the specific skill set and portfolio to back you up.
There are several portals available for freelancers to offer their services, such as Guru. However, do keep in mind that after you are proactive and consistent in publicizing your availability and skills, it is your portfolio and a good track record of accountability and excellence that will more often than not secure you a job.
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Administrative jobs within your university
Several offices in the university hire students on a part time basis to do administrative work or bring prospective students on tours of the university campus. For example, you can work as a Student Ambassador with the International Relations Office in NUS (http://www.nus.edu.sg/IRO/joinus/sa/index.html), which advertises a rate of $8 per hour.
These jobs may be slightly more obscure in the job advertisement network. However, if you are able to secure a place in such a setting, most of the perks lie in how you are able to save both time and money on traveling between school and your workplace. Working somewhere within your university campus increases your flexibility for time with things such as project meetings or consultation with professors–especially beneficial once it comes to that time of the semester.
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Start your own business and source of income
Not many people do this but it is wholly possible, especially if you have a cause or a strong driving factor. For example, take a look at Made Real Singapore , a homegrown social enterprise started by two students who are currently undergraduates in local universities in Singapore!
An early start also means more opportunities for growth and learning when you are doing this “on-the-job” –because learning takes place not only within the classroom but outside as well. Additionally, you get the opportunity and flexibility to apply what you’ve learnt in school (especially if you are a business student?) and take various risks or adventurous ideas; because you are the boss of your own company. This is definitely not an easy task, but well, if you are driven, ready and motivated: Why not?
The world is your Oyster
As previously mentioned, these are just several possibilities that you can explore, and there is so much more you can do out there in the world if you want to. You could start investing, do a part time internship, or even workad-hoc events.
The best part is that you are not obliged to do so because you are still an undergraduate taking up a job thus becomes a choice that you actively make. And aside from the income, there is so much to learn. There are so many things you can do. The world is your oyster, and the choice is yours to make. J