How can college students make money online?
Finding a source of income while pursuing an education can
be challenging, but don't worry; there are many online jobs for college
students with no experience. There is a job available for you to do from the
comfort of your own dorm room or apartment, regardless of your skill set.
Since graduating, I've built an entirely online business and am now location-independent, living the dream.
Top 10 Simple Online Jobs For College Students No Experience
Fortunately, no matter what your interests are, there is some type of online work that will appeal to you. By the end of this article, you'll have a plethora of options for starting to earn money as soon as next week!
Here are some of the best online jobs for college students with no prior experience:
1. Transcriptionist
Last but not least, you could think about working as a transcriptionist. Because all you have to do is listen and type, this is one of the best online jobs for college students with no experience.
How to Get the Job
Fortunately, even though computers are now available, most
companies will prefer to hire actual people to do transcriptions for them in
order to ensure greater accuracy. Your job would essentially be to listen to
something and then type it out.
To find the best transcription jobs, conduct some internet searches. Keep in mind that your pay will vary depending on the company you work for.
Another option is to look for a part-time job with a real
company that is looking for a one-time transcriptionist. It is entirely up to
you which path you take.
Remember that you will need a strong internet connection,
good headphones, and a computer to complete this task.
How Much Does It Pay?
Most transcription jobs pay by the minute of audio that you
transcribe, so as you get better at the job, you'll earn more money because
you'll be able to complete your assignments faster.
When you first start out, a minute of audio could easily take you 20 minutes or longer to complete.
The starting pay for a minute is typically around $0.30, but
this varies by company. With consistent work, you can easily earn up to $2,000
per month as you gain experience.
2. Manager of Social Media
It may seem too good to be true, but being a social media
manager is one way for college students to make money online.
How to Apply for a Job
You don't need any prior experience to do this, especially since you probably use social media on a daily basis.
It's possible that you know more about social media than
some social media managers who already have a large client base!
There are several ways to get a job as a social media
manager, which makes it an excellent online job for students to make money.
The first (and simplest) option is to work as a freelancer,
either starting your own social media management company or using sites like
Upwork and Fiverr.
I made more than enough money to live on by starting my own
social media management company and finding most of my clients on Upwork, so
it's doable.
Another option is to try to find work through Facebook
Groups. Join groups for online business owners, and you'll soon discover that
many people are looking for assistance with their social media. You could
easily step in and assist them.
Finally, you could look for part-time jobs with companies
online. However, because you won't be able to choose your own hours, this will
most likely take up more of your time than simply freelance.
I've also never been asked about my experience with social
media management before, so it's an excellent opportunity for college students.
You can also set your own rates and work your own hours, making it ideal for a
college schedule.
How Much Does It Pay?
The pay scale for social media managers who are just
starting out varies. If you work part-time for a company, you'll be paid
hourly, with a starting salary of $13 to $20 USD.
However, if you choose to work as a freelancer and offer
your services on your own, you can charge much more.
Fixed-rate packages are the best way to charge, and your
starting package should be around $300 USD to begin with, with some of your
more extensive and comprehensive packages costing much more.
To give you an idea, when I first started, I offered three
different packages: $350, $500, and $650 USD. The majority of my clients were
on the $500 USD package, but it was useful to have an upsell package if they
desired additional services.
Keep in mind that as a freelancer, you may incur monthly
expenses such as client management systems, social media schedulers, and even
analytics tools.
I pay around $150 USD per month for these, but they increase
the success of my services, resulting in more referrals and satisfied clients.
3. Blogger (or Other Type of Website)
Blogging is one of the best online jobs for college students with no experience! I did this myself and started a blog nine years ago, so I can attest that this is a fantastic option.
How to Get the Job
If you want to start your own website or blog, it's fairly simple to find work. You don't even need to apply to start a blog; all you need to do is buy a domain, get hosting, and set up your website, and you're good to go.
There
are numerous blog topics available, but it is best to pick one that you are
passionate about.
If
you choose a topic like parenting when you don't even have children, for
example, you won't have anything to write about.
Travel, food, health and fitness, and even arts and crafts are all popular blogging topics. Consider what niche you'd be able to write about indefinitely, but also whether it's one of the profitable blog topics if you intend to monetize it.
Because
of how simple it is to get started, blogging is easily one of the top online
jobs for students to earn money. However, you must recognize that blogging is a
career that takes time to develop.
In comparison to some of the other jobs on this list, it may take a few years before you see any money coming in from your website.
That's
why blogging is frequently started as a side hustle while in college, with the
hope that by the time you graduate, you'll have gained enough momentum to make
a decent living from your website.
To be a successful blogger, you must first learn everything there is to know about SEO, or search engine optimization. Without it, you'll never rank on Google and, as a result, will struggle to get organic traffic. Also, start using Pinterest as soon as you launch your website.
How Much It Pays
Many bloggers make a living from their websites, but these are usually the bloggers who have been doing it for a few years. Most new bloggers are fortunate to earn between $100 and $500 per month.
Once you've established yourself, you can start earning $2,000 or more per month. Some of the most successful bloggers earn over $25,000 per month.
To make money with your blog, you should try to join an ad network (such as Mediavine, Ezoic, or others) and focus heavily on affiliate marketing. You should also think about developing digital products or online courses that you can sell to your readers.
4. Freelance Writing
Another
great online job for students to earn money from home is freelance writing. As
a college student, you're almost certainly writing essays for your classes
almost weekly (regardless of your major), so you're most likely a top-notch
writer by this point.
How to Get the Job
To work as a freelance writer, you will need to apply for various positions that you will find online.
Many freelance writers who are just starting out use websites like Upwork and Fiverr to find clients. I've had a lot of success, especially with Upwork.
Instead
of using freelance job searchers like those, you could look into different
online publications in your niche.
For example, if you want to write in the travel niche, you should see if National Geographic Traveller accepts new writers.
The
difference between applying to Upwork jobs and applying to be a writer for
online publications is that Upwork clients are usually looking for someone
right away. Most likely, you'll be able to start getting work much faster on
Upwork, which is something to think about.
While
you are not required to choose a niche for your freelance writing, it can help
you stand out from the crowd.
It will also be easier to find positions if you search for terms like "travel freelance writer jobs" rather than just "freelance writer jobs."
How Much Does It Pay?
Freelance writing pays differently depending on the client and how you prefer to be compensated. Typically, freelance writers are paid either a flat rate for an article within a certain word count or by the word.
It
is recommended that freelance writers never be paid by the hour. Sure, if
you're just getting started, this could result in a lot of money.
However, as time passes and you become more proficient at writing, you will come to regret being paid on an hourly basis. Furthermore, before hiring you, clients frequently want to know how much an article will cost them.
Most inexperienced freelance writers will earn around $50
USD for an article of 2,000 to 3,000 words. Once you've gained some experience
or are fully booked, you can start charging $0.25 or more per word.
Another
thing to remember is that different types of freelance writers are paid
differently. For example, website copywriters frequently earn significantly
more than blog article writers.
5. Graphic Design
Another
online job for students to earn money is graphic design.
Sure,
studying design in school and doing a few internships can help your craft, but
if you dabbled in design in high school or created elaborate group
presentations for class before using Canva, you can do this.
How to Apply for a Job
Similar to social media management, using websites like Upwork or Fiverr to find work as a graphic designer is the best way to get started. You will be able to find immediate work and set your own rates as a result of this.
You
could also use Facebook Groups or look for part-time work, but freelancing is
the best way to get started with no prior experience.
If
you want to be a graphic designer but want to learn more about it, you're in
luck. There are numerous free tutorials available online, and no one will
question whether you design in Canva or the Adobe suite.
While a portfolio is frequently required for designers, this is not always the case. I've only been asked to show my work on a site like Upwork a few times, which is why it's a great place to start if you don't have any experience but want to get started in this field.
Even
if you do find a client who wants to see your portfolio, you could show items
you've created in school, such as presentations or an elaborate Instagram
graphic design you've created.
You
could also be completely honest and say you haven't expanded your portfolio yet
because you're currently pursuing a degree and doing this as a side hustle.
How Much It Pays
Graphic design is one of the best online jobs for students to earn money from home because the pay is competitive with other jobs on this list.
Beginners
should expect to charge around $20 USD per hour, and as your clientele and
experience grow, you should be able to charge up to $50 USD per hour.
You
could also charge a flat fee for your projects if you prefer. This may be a
better option if you are quick with your work but still want to be compensated
adequately.
6. Be an Entrepreneur
Generation
Z has demonstrated that you can start a business at any age, including while in
college. So, why not think about becoming an entrepreneur?
How to Apply for a Job
While
being an entrepreneur may not be the most traditional of online jobs for
college students with no experience, it can be extremely rewarding.
In
terms of how to get the job, all you have to do is come up with a great idea
for your business. You should consider whether you want to run an e-commerce
store or a service-based business.
Making jewelry out of polymer clay or creating digital products online are two fun e-commerce shop ideas for college students. Of course, there are numerous other possibilities, but they are simple to implement in a small space.
If
you decide to start a service-based business, the possibilities are virtually
limitless. You could work as a website designer, consultant, or even a coach in
a field that interests you.
The
benefit of either of these options is that no one will ask you about your
experience unless you willingly give it to them. They will be more interested
in your work or the products you sell than in anything else.
How Much It Pays
Entrepreneurs invest a lot of money in their business in order to see a return. Of course, if you want to start an e-commerce store, you'll have to invest more money up front than if you want to start an online service-based business.
After
investing money in your business, you should begin to see a return in the form
of increased sales and clients over time. Turning your passions into profits is
a great way to become an entrepreneur.
The
amount of money made by entrepreneurs varies greatly. Some earn around $10,000
per year, while others can make up to $100,000. It all depends on how much time
and effort you put into your business and how much you charge for your goods or
services.
7. Take Surveys
As
a college student, you can earn money by taking surveys online. This is one of
the simplest jobs to perform because you can do it in your spare time between
classes or whenever you have the opportunity.
How to Get the Job
Surveys are advertised as a job online primarily for market research purposes. Companies want to see how you (and many others) act when they are developing products in order to be as successful as possible.
You'll
need to be cautious if you want to get the job. Unfortunately, there are many
scams out there when it comes to taking online surveys, and these are not
websites you want to visit for obvious reasons.
Fortunately,
there are a few reputable websites worth visiting, such as SwagBucks or
American Consumer Opinion. Just make sure to do your homework and look into
TrustPilot before signing up to take surveys on a website.
Remember that this is also a time-consuming task. A survey may take a long time to complete, and you may not always receive the highest payout.
How Much It Pays
As previously stated, taking surveys can be a time-consuming job. As a result, the payout may be quite low. Depending on the company and website from which you take the survey, one survey can cost anywhere from $1 to $5 USD.
However,
if you find the time to complete several surveys throughout the month, this can
quickly add up. If you plan ahead of time and have the time, you could easily
make around $1000 USD.
To take these surveys, you'll obviously need a computer and a strong internet connection. Another option is to take them on your phone.
8. English tutoring (one of the best online jobs for college students)
If English is your first language, you're in luck: you can earn money by teaching English online. Because no experience is required, this is one of the most sought-after jobs available, and it is ideal for college students.
If
English is not your first language, you can teach it online through platforms
such as PrePly or Cambly.
How to Get the Job
A Bachelor's degree and a TEFL certificate are usually required, but this is not always the case.
There
are a lot of companies that will hire you even if you don't have a Bachelor's
degree yet, which is why it's such a great job for college students to have
some extra money.
Magic Ears requires that you are currently pursuing a degree, which is why teaching English with them is a great way to make money while you're in school! Magic Ears can pay up to $26 per hour. More information can be found here, as well as our Magic Ears review.
Your years of speaking English are sufficient to teach it to people in other countries.
To
get a job teaching English online, you must first fill out an application.
You'll be interviewed, which many people say is usually a relatively easy and
stress-free interview in comparison to other jobs.
If
you are hired, you will be able to begin working and teaching others. You will
frequently be teaching students in Asia who want to learn English as a second
language. This is one of the most rewarding online jobs for first-year college
students.
How Much Does It Pay?
Most online English teaching jobs are paid by the hour, so your earnings will be based on the number of classes you teach each week.
You
can usually expect to be paid up to $26 USD per hour, which is significantly
more than the minimum wage in all states in the United States.
Some
companies will even pay you for no-shows, so you're guaranteed to make money
whether or not your student shows up to your course prepared to learn.
Furthermore, as long as you have a strong internet connection, you can teach from the comfort of your own dorm room or apartment.
9. irtual Assist
If you are good at following directions and enjoy assisting others, becoming a virtual assistant could be ideal for you. Furthermore, no prior experience is required, making it one of the best online jobs for students to earn money.
How to Get the Job
Believe it or not, there are a lot of online business owners looking for virtual assistants like you.
Furthermore,
many of these people would be eager to hire a college student because you're
learning so much at school that you might even be able to apply to their
business.
Upwork
frequently has a large number of virtual assistant jobs. I've been working with
a client as a marketing virtual assistant through Upwork since last July, and
it's been a great long-term income source for me.
Another option is to use Facebook Groups, because people in groups frequently ask for assistance with a single small task, and you can upsell them on your service packages.
You
may be wondering what a virtual assistant actually does. That is highly
dependent on your interests and skill set.
Virtual
assistants help with a variety of tasks such as social media management,
content creation, writing, scheduling, email management, editing, and more.
Their sole goal is to assist the business owner in any way they can.
No experience is required for this position, but having some skill sets will be beneficial. However, as a college student, you would be able to assist with schedule management, as you already do on a daily basis.
The great thing about being a virtual assistant is that you can easily choose the type of client you want to work with. Perhaps you enjoy assisting online creatives such as graphic designers or web designers.
You
might even discover that you enjoy assisting bloggers in a specific niche,
which could become your specialty.
How Much It Pays
Beginning virtual assistants earn less than those with more experience, but can expect to earn between $15 and $20 USD when they first start out. As your experience grows, you'll be able to charge upwards of $50 USD.
Virtual
assistants frequently sell their services in hourly increments. So you might
have a 5-hour package, a 15-hour package, and a 30-hour package.
Typically,
the packages are sold at a lower price than your hourly rate in order to entice
people to purchase more work from you.
Choosing a specialty is one way to accelerate your path to charging more for your work.
For example, I have a close business friend who works as a course tech virtual assistant, which means she explicitly assists course creators with workbooks, lesson writing, and presentation preparation.
10.Creator of the Course
Is
there something you're extremely passionate about that you'd like to teach
others? Consider becoming a course developer!
How to Get the Job
Being a course creator is typically a completely freelance gig, which means you're in charge of your own schedule and will not apply for a job. So you'll want to start your own company, build a website, and start creating courses.
Choosing
a specialty is one way to accelerate your path to charging more for your work.
There are numerous topics on which you can create courses.
Perhaps you have a strong interest in jewelry making and have been doing so since high school. You could create an online course to teach others how to make jewelry like you do.
If you enjoy assisting others, this could be a rewarding job for you. I've done a lot of work in the course creator space, and it's a lot of fun, especially if the course is about something you're passionate about.
Once
you've created your course, you'll want to find the best hosting platform to
get all of your course materials online and easily accessible to students.
Kajabi, Thinkific, and Teachable are all excellent options.
Similar
to starting a blog, being a course creator often entails putting in a lot of
time upfront before seeing a payoff. That is why it is advantageous to begin
this career while still in college. By the time you graduate, you may have
amassed a large enough following to earn a decent living.
How Much Does It Pay?
Course creators, unlike the other jobs on this list, do not have a set salary.
Course creators essentially create a digital product that is then sold online in their shop. As a result, the amount of money you make is determined by how well you market your course.
When it comes to pricing, you'll want to consider how much information you're giving your students. The majority of courses will cost between $47 USD (for a mini-course) and $2000 USD (for a course that comes with live classes).
Self-paced
courses are frequently less expensive than those with live Zoom calls, which is
something to consider as a student.
One of my business mentors is a course creator who has made upwards of $20,000 USD in recent months due to the success of her business.
As a result, this can be a very lucrative job, particularly if you move into coaching, consulting, and one-on-one business services after graduating.
Conclusion
You now have a comprehensive list of the best online jobs
for college students with no experience. The key to success here is to plan
your schedule and work around your classes, and to avoid allowing your work to
take precedence over your education.
You should also conduct extensive research to find a job
that you will actually enjoy doing. I wish you the best of luck with your
extra-curricular activities as a college student!
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