Graduation season will soon be in full swing. You have prepared and laid the foundation for your career. But are you prepared financially for the rude realities of the cost of living?
Even in college, Gen Zers were and still are struggling to support their living, studies, and entertainment/leisure expenses; according to research by market insights platform GitNux, nearly three quarters of Gen Z students are concerned about how to afford their tuition, a third are already in debt, and due to mounting financial pressures, approximately 47%—almost half of Gen Zers—are more worried about making money than previous generations at their age, leading them to work more hours during college.
Perhaps this is one reason why launching a side hustle or becoming a remote freelancer is so appealing to Gen Zers, with 43% of them being actively employed in the gig economy, according to 2022 research by Upwork.
10 Remote Freelance Student Jobs
If you find yourself struggling to cope with student debt or the cost of living as a graduate, here are 10 helpful side hustles and freelance jobs that are hiring across several platforms, that you should consider to boost your income:
- Uploading study notes via Studypool
- Tutoring within your subject (a grade/level lower than what you’re currently studying so you can be confident with teaching it)
- Teaching English as a foreign language
- Teaching a foreign language to people who already speak English
- Video editing
- Content creation—becoming a social media influencer
- Blogging
- Developing an app or service that targets students and resolves a major pain point that they encounter daily
- Proofreading
- Designing merchandise and dropshipping
The exciting thing about these freelance jobs and side hustles is that they all require some degree of creativity and innovation, and a thorough grasp on what you already know so that you can expand your services and earning potential. Instead of trying to create or learn something brand new, why not build on what you’re already good at?
As a student or fresh graduate, you likely have tons of hands-on experiences that have enabled you to build critical skills to be a freelancer. If you think outside the box, you might be able to create solutions which allow you to build supplemental (or even full-time) income, while utilizing what you’ve learned over the course of your studies.
For instance, if studying for your degree in finance or accounting, you might ask yourself, what skills have I gained while studying, and what new things have I learned that I could use as a freelance content creator sharing finance tips and tricks for busy professionals?
And money aside, having a side hustle or working as a freelancer while studying or preparing to graduate, brings and additional benefit: not only are you able to make enough money remotely to support yourself and your living expenses, but you will have the opportunity to explore your interests, and pick up new skills while balancing your academic commitments.
As a Gen Z graduate or student, you don’t need to feel stuck. Whether it’s assisting other students around the world or it’s blogging about student life and hacks, there’s a plethora of side hustle ideas and freelance jobs ready for your exploration.