The 15 Best On-Campus Jobs for College Students

With so many flexible jobs available on college campuses, students who want to stay close to school, interact with their peers, and learn skills that transfer to professional roles often gravitate toward these positions.

Campus jobs may not pay the most, but they do offer flexibility and understanding for students with busy class schedules. Rather than requiring long shifts, campus job supervisors work with learners to create a schedule that fits with their studies.

Keep reading to learn about some of the best jobs for college students and explore how on-campus jobs can help you earn money without feeling stressed for time.

Campus jobs offer many benefits to students. Here are some of the biggest advantages.

College campuses employ hundreds, even thousands, of students each year to fill a variety of jobs. Read about some of these jobs below and find one that works for you.

Coffee lovers looking to hone their latte art skills or keep a good caffeine buzz going may enjoy working as a barista at an on-campus coffee house. These positions typically offer flexible shifts and a casual environment. Responsibilities include making and serving coffee, taking orders, cleaning tables, and restocking supplies.

If you enjoy the quiet of the library, working as a library assistant could be a great fit. These roles usually require you to check books in and out for library patrons, restock returned books, maintain a sense of peace and order in study spaces, and book private rooms for group meetings.

A great fit for students interested in computer science, information technology, or related topics, an IT assistant position allows learners to put their skills to the test and gain experience prior to graduating. Responsibilities include addressing user concerns, updating software and applications, and installing new hardware.

Whether working the breakfast, lunch, or dinner shift, dining hall workers get to learn about food preparation on the job. This could be a great opportunity for someone considering a culinary career. Responsibilities include preparing food, keeping up with buffet supplies, and making food on demand at grill stations.

Colleges and universities receive a significant amount of mail each day for staff, faculty, students, and individual departments. To help keep up with the inflow, students are frequently hired to act as mail room assistants. Responsibilities may include sorting mail, bringing it to different buildings to be individually filed, and receiving packages.

The campus bookstore supplies textbooks required for classes, offering both new and used selections. It also stocks various school supplies, such as notebooks, pencils and pens, and laboratory tools. Those interested in library careers or business may also enjoy working at the campus bookstore.

Resident advisors, or RAs, live in campus-based housing to provide social opportunities and ensure dorm and apartment rules are followed. RAs usually receive free housing as part of their role. You typically need to be at least a sophomore or junior to qualify for this job.

If your university has a swimming pool — either for its swimming team or for recreation — it will need trained lifeguards to ensure everyone stays safe. Lifeguarding can offer a great college job for those with previous swimming experience.

With so many academic, residential, student services, and administrative offices and departments on college campuses, there’s always a need for administrative assistants around school. Whether working for the history department or the admissions office, you’ll likely find that these roles provide a great opportunity to build your office skills.

Campus tour guides introduce the school to prospective students and their families, sharing their experiences of the university and pointing out important parts of campus such as academic buildings, housing, dining halls, and libraries. Campus tour guide jobs provide a great fit for extroverted students.

Students with a passion for fitness and physical exercise often gravitate toward roles in campus-based gyms and recreational centers. Whether you’re working at the front desk, recalibrating machines, cleaning courts, or managing bookings, these jobs can provide students with an array of responsibilities.

These students function similarly to teaching assistants but work on more of a one-to-one basis with other learners. A peer tutor in a writing class, for instance, may help students create outlines for their papers and find sources, address grammar and syntax issues, and provide feedback.

Research assistants typically work directly with a professor to help carry out research. Professors provide their research assistants with details about what they need, and students may conduct literature reviews or carry out experiments or other studies.

Whether working in a museum focused on history and culture or showcasing student and alumni art in a modern gallery setting, students serving as museum and gallery assistants typically enjoy creative pursuits. They may act as docents for visitors, handle ticketing, or process new items.

Colleges with theaters and/or cinema locations often employ students to issue and collect tickets, handle concessions, and run the projector for films. They may also help with live theater productions. This job offers a great fit for someone considering a career in film or the performing arts.

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