While it may seem like instant noodles and going to events for the sole purpose of free pizza are embedded into the college experience, your time here doesn’t have to be spent that way. There are plenty of opportunities to make a few bucks without interfering with your daily routine on a college campus. With minimal effort, a big sushi dinner from Sakanaya or that sparkly dress from Apricot Lane Boutique can be yours in no time.
If you prefer the standard approach to making money, a quick Craigslist search will result in a variety of job postings. Be aware– most of these require a resumé or previous work experience. You can also make use of the University’s I-Link career search. However, the job hunt can be a lot easier if you have a friend willing to put in a good word for you. You may even be able to surpass a stressful interview.
“It’s all about connections. I work at a molecular and cellular biology lab that focuses on genetics in the Chemical and Life Science Laboratory, and I would have never even known about this position if I hadn’t asked my brother for help in finding a job,” said Sofiya Bobrovska, a sophomore majoring in integrative biology. “I make my own schedule and it’s the perfect fit for my field of study.”
Using your contacts isn’t the only way to save some cash without too much work. In recent years, online consignment shops like Poshmark and thredUP have become popular among fashionable and tech-savvy ladies. These shops allow you to list your unwanted clothes or accessories for sale to anyone no matter where they live. Additionally, choosing your own price can lead to more profit than at a typical thrift store.
If you don’t have an endless unworn wardrobe, you might want to consider a canvassing job. One of the more common difficulties with making money as a student is finding the time, and canvassing jobs usually let employees choose how many hours they would like to spend working. Because college students are viewed as a large and profitable market by retailers, many businesses will pay good money for you to solicit votes, purchases, or even Facebook likes.
“I have an internship with OrderUp, a food delivery service here on campus. A lot of my friends work with me so it’s fun and it pays well for an internship,” said Alexis Demario, a sophomore. “We hand out flyers and free things on the Quad and work some events, too. Our boss is very open to new ideas on marketing tactics and it’s a very fun working environment.”
Saving money doesn’t have to be boring or time-consuming. It also doesn’t require you to try extreme couponing or donating plasma, both of which can be physically draining. A college town like Champaign-Urbana is the perfect place to find your first job, and a group of friends to go on spring break with after you’ve saved up enough.
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