Being a student is tough on the purse strings. From tuition fees to school supplies, the cost of studying adds up quickly. As such, the hunt for online jobs for students continues to rise. Finding a remote student job will empower you to build your skills while earning some pocket money to cover your expenses.
This article looks at the advantages of remote student jobs, how to land the best role for you, and 10 top online jobs for students in 2022.
Benefits Of Online Jobs For Students
We’ve broken down 5 of the biggest advantages of finding a remote student job. Here’s a closer look.
1. Extra Income to Supplement Your Studies
As we already mentioned, being a student can often be a financial strain. Most UK students have to rely on their parents or student loans to subsidise them while they study. This can be frustrating and stressful. Finding a part-time remote job as a student will empower you to gain some financial independence.
While most online jobs for students will pay an entry-level wage, it should be enough to cover at least some of your living expenses during your school years. What’s more, you can supplement your income with a summer job and save your earnings to use during term time.
2. Build Valuable Skills
Online jobs for students offer a fantastic opportunity to build your skill set and gain work experience. As a result, you will set yourself up with a strong CV once your graduate.
Working remotely builds valuable competencies that are highly sought after by employers, especially in a post-pandemic workforce. For instance, you will develop independence, collaboration, empathy, digital communication, and adaptability.
Since you are working in a remote environment, you will also become more tech-savvy and learn how to solve problems by yourself. These are key skills that will stand you in good stead in your future career.
3. Flexible Timetable
As a student, you can only dedicate a limited number of hours to working. Of course, your studies should always come first. By opting for a remote student job, you will usually enjoy more flexibility in your working hours. For example, you cut out any commute time and may even be able to work your hours in between classes. As a result, you can dedicate more time to your studies while still fulfilling your work obligations.
This is also the case outside of term time. Online student jobs mean you can continue working during your Christmas and summer breaks, so you don’t have to lose money. In addition, if you plan to go travelling during your time off from school, you can still work as you travel.
4. Get Used to Working Remotely
Remote working is the future of working. In our post-pandemic world, almost every employer is rethinking their working conditions. Whether it’s fully remote, hybrid, or up to the employees, getting used to online working will do wonders for your future career path. It will also set you up if you plan to apply for remote internships.
As a remote worker, you will learn how to use a range of collaboration, project management, and communication tools. By gaining proficiency in these tools as a student, your graduate CV will stand out from the crowd. Plus, online student jobs are perfect for those who want to study abroad.
Building experience working remotely as a student will significantly boost your chances of landing a remote graduate job down the line. Your previous experience will show employers you are ready to work online with limited support.
5. Build Your Online Network
With the professional world moving farther and farther online, online jobs for students offer another big plus. Networking is a major skill for professionals of all ages and walks of life. However, it is particularly beneficial to students looking to break into a new career with limited experience.
Starting your professional career off as a remote worker will encourage you to develop your online networking skills and build your personal brand. From building a professional network to finding graduate job opportunities, online networking opens doors.
How To Find Online Jobs For Students
We’ve seen the benefits, now let’s look at how to find online jobs for students.
Sign Up for Dedicated Jobs Boards
The best way to land yourself an online student job is by checking live job boards that specifically cater to students and graduates. At developing a career, our job board is regularly updated with a host of fantastic jobs for students. From remote jobs to seasonal work, it’s a great medium to connect with employers both near and further afield.
In addition to job posts, you’ll find a ton of valuable information for students and graduates, including interview tips and building a graduate portfolio.
Use Freelancer Platforms
If you fancy trying your hand at being a Freelancer, there is a plethora of platforms you can use to find clients. As a Freelancer, you will create your own profile on the platform, citing your skills and experience. You can then connect with clients to apply for projects.
Freelancer programs help you to build experience and network with clients. Plus, using a third-party Freelance platform gives added security when it comes to payment.
Some popular platforms include Upwork and Fiverr. A word of caution, though. In the UK, you will need to ensure you follow all the necessary steps to become a freelancer and declare your earnings on your tax return. This guide explains how to become self-employed in the UK.
Ask Your Network
Sometimes it’s not what you know, but who you know. Be sure to ask family, friends, and other people in your network to keep their ears to the ground. You never know, they may hear of a remote student job that could be perfect for you.
10 Top Online Jobs For Students
Are you a student looking for remote work? Here are 10 of the best online jobs for students in 2022.
1. Data Entry Clerk
Data entry may not be the most exhilarating job in the world, but it’s an excellent remote job for students. As a data entry clerk, you would type letters, input data, and maybe even transcribe documents.
Data entry is quick to learn and flexible enough to fit around your classes and coursework. To succeed in this role, you’ll need to have attention to detail, sound computer skills, good typing skills, and organisational skills.
2. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants are essentially online customer service employees. In this role, you will handle customer complaints, send and respond to emails, and take phone calls from customers. In some cases, you may have to attend virtual meetings or handle schedules.
Working as a virtual assistant is a wonderful chance to build a wide range of skills. For example, you will need to be organised, have strong communication skills, handle angry customers, and maintain outstanding people skills. In return, it’s a flexible job you can perform from anywhere (provided you have a good internet connection).
3. Community Manager
If you’re a dab hand at social media, you may make a great community manager. Community managers represent brands on social media. The role involves engaging with customers on socials, answering queries, posting content, and generally reflecting the brand identity.
Working as a remote community manager allows you to build a wide range of valuable skills. As well as honing your communication skills, you’ll learn the basics of marketing, ads, and data analytics. Plus, you can do the role from anywhere, as long as you have your phone.
4. Website Tester
Website testers analyse websites and offer feedback on the user interface and overall user experience. While it’s usually short-term work, there’s definitely potential to earn good money. Any time a company launches or updates their website, it’s common to pay testers to review it.
To be successful in this role, you will need to have strong attention to detail, good feedback skills, and an overall idea of the testing process. Being tech-savvy is a major bonus. Working as an online website tester is a particularly great experience for students interested in UX design, product management, or marketing.
5. Transcriber
Transcribers listen to audios from professionals across a number of fields and transcribe the recordings into a document. For instance, this is a common practice in the medical and legal fields. Working in transcription can be a career path, offering the opportunity to specialise in a particular field.
In this role, you will need to have fast typing skills, excellent written communication skills, and a strong attention span. In addition, you will be expected to learn how to use specific software and some technical industry-specific vocabulary. Provided you have a quiet space, you can transcribe from anywhere and at any time.
6. Customer Service Representative
Working in customer service is a popular job choice for students. Many customer service roles require little-to-no previous experience and can easily fit around your studies. The advantage of working as an online customer service rep is that you cut out the commute. You simply log on and work your hours from home or your dorm room.
As a customer service worker, you will need to be a people person with excellent communication skills, good tech skills, and the ability to work well in a team. What’s more, you will need to have a quiet place to work during your shifts, especially if your role involves speaking to customers by phone.
7. Captioner
Captioning is a perfect online job for students. Video captioners are tasked with watching videos and translating it into written form. There’s a knack to captioning, but as you build experience, your rate will increase.
You can work as a video captioner from anywhere, as long as you have headphones and the necessary equipment. To get started, you will usually sign up on a platform and perform a test assignment. If you have the necessary listening and typing skills, the platform will find you work.
8. Voiceover Actor
Have you ever fancied yourself an actor? If so, why not consider finding work as a voiceover actor. It’s a wonderful remote job for students because you have full flexibility and a very low learning curve. Provided you have a quiet recording space, headphones, and a good-quality microphone, you can choose when you work.
Another big advantage of voiceover work is that it’s exciting. One day you could be narrating a children’s storybook and the next day a corporate training video. In addition, there are plenty of chances to grow your network and work with a diverse group of clients.
9. Online Tutor
Online tutors conduct remote lessons on a range of topics, including languages, mathematics, and other technical skills. What’s more, there’s a broad range of platforms where you can create a profile and pick up clients. One of the biggest bonuses of working as an online tutor is the flexibility it offers. You can set your hours and choose the profile of the student you want to teach.
To be successful in this role, you need to have a strong entrepreneurial spirit. You will effectively run your own business, taking charge of the marketing, advertising, pricing, and admin side of things. That said, there’s great earning potential and you get to do something you enjoy.
10. Video Editor
Video has become the content mode du jour. As such, businesses across every sector are looking for freelance video editors to create marketing, training, and informational videos. If you have experience creating videos and using editing software such as Adobe, this is an excellent online student job.
As a video editor, you will need to have strong technical skills, communication skills, and a keen eye for detail. This is an especially exciting role for students who are studying graphic design, animation, or a related field. There are plenty of opportunities to build a strong portfolio of work and earn some pocket money at the same time.
Final Thoughts
Juggling studying, life, and work is no easy feat. However, online jobs for students are a fantastic way to build your skills, earn some cash, and still leave plenty of time to study. Remote jobs for students provide greater flexibility as well as the opportunity to build relevant technical skills.
If you’re looking for online jobs for students in the UK, be sure to check our dedicated Student and Graduate Jobs Board.
If you have specific questions, feel free to contact us or sign up for the free Developing a Student email newsletter with the form below.
