2 answers
Amirah
Student
Mansfield, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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how can I make money while I'm in school?
I want to make money to help my mom and dad with everything
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1 answer
Theophilus Mensah
Discovery Intern @Deloitte |2x Founder | TMCF Scholar | Business + CIS @ GSU | Harvard ALP 25’
72
Answers
Grambling, Louisiana
Updated
Theophilus’s Answer
Yes, you absolutely can make money while you're in school, and there are actually more opportunities than you might think.
I also really respect that one of the reasons you want to do this is to help your mom and dad. But one thing I want you to remember is that you don't have to solve every financial problem for your family immediately. You're still building yourself. The best thing you can do is find ways to earn money now without sacrificing your academics and the opportunities that could put you in a much stronger position to help them later.
From my own experience, I would look at it in a few different ways:
1. Start with your professors.
This is one people overlook. Go through your department's faculty page and look at what your professors are researching or working on. If something interests you, email them and ask whether they have any opportunities for undergraduate students to assist with research.
Some professors have grants that allow them to hire research assistants. Others may know another professor who needs someone. Even if the first opportunity isn't paid, you can specifically ask whether there are paid research positions available now or in the future.
And don't only ask professors you already know. Introduce yourself.
2. Look for Work-Study and other campus jobs.
Check your financial aid package to see whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study. If you do, start applying early because positions can fill up. But even if you don't have Work-Study, universities usually have other student jobs. Look at places like:
Housing/Residence Life
Dining
Library
Admissions
Student Affairs
Recreation Center
IT/Computer Labs
Academic departments
Administrative offices
Tutoring centers
Athletics
Alumni/Foundation offices
Also ASK PEOPLE. Don't rely only on the job portal.
Walk into offices, introduce yourself, and say, “Hi, I'm a student looking for opportunities to work on campus. Does your department hire student workers?” Some of my own opportunities on campus have come because I built relationships with people and let them know I was willing to work.
3. Apply for paid internships even before you think you're ready.
This is probably one of the biggest ones. Don't wait until junior or senior year. Start applying as early as freshman year.
Look at companies in industries you're interested in and search for internships, early-identification programs, sophomore programs, externships, insight programs, etc. Internships can sometimes allow you to earn significantly more during the summer than you would from a regular student job during the semester. More importantly, you're getting paid and building experience that can lead to an even better-paying internship or full-time job later.
That's something I've personally tried to be intentional about: I don't only think, “How much does this opportunity pay me today?” I also think, “What can this opportunity position me for next year?”
4. Look for paid programs offered by companies and organizations.
This is another category many students don't know exists.
Companies, nonprofits, foundations, and professional organizations sometimes run:
paid externships
fellowships
leadership programs
case competitions
research programs
ambassador programs
conferences with stipends
career-development programs
summer programs
project-based programs
Some might pay $500, $1,000, $2,000+ or provide scholarships/stipends. Others may cover travel, hotels, meals, etc., which is still money you don't have to spend yourself.
I've benefited a lot from simply applying for programs. Sometimes I apply and don't get selected. That's normal. But you only need some of them to work out.
5. Apply aggressively for scholarships.
I consider scholarships another way of “making money” in college because every $1,000 someone else pays toward your education is $1,000 you don't have to find yourself.
Don't only chase the huge national scholarships.
Look for:
university scholarships
departmental scholarships
alumni scholarships
local scholarships
corporate scholarships
professional associations
foundations
scholarships related to your major
scholarships related to your extracurricular activities
Sometimes the smaller $500–$2,000 scholarships have far fewer applicants.
6. Turn whatever skill you already have into money.
Ask yourself: “What can I do that somebody else would pay me for?”
It could be:
Tutoring
Graphic design
Photography
Video editing
Hair/braiding
Writing/editing
Resume assistance
Social media management
Website design
Coding
Excel/data work
Canva designs
Cleaning
Babysitting
Translation
Selling products
Event photography
Content creation
You don't necessarily need to start a huge business. You might only have five clients. That's still income.
I've been an entrepreneur myself, and one lesson I've learned is that you don't always have to wait for somebody to “give you a job.” Sometimes you can identify something people need and provide it.
7. Use school breaks strategically.
Summer, winter break and other longer breaks can be earning periods.
During the semester, maybe you work 8–15 hours per week because academics come first. During summer, you can pursue a full-time internship, research program, job, or another paid opportunity and save aggressively.
That's much more sustainable than trying to work 30–40 hours every week while taking a full course load.
8. Talk to Career Services and Financial Aid.
Go there physically if you can. Ask Career Services: “Are there any paid internships, campus positions or employer programs available to students right now?”
Ask Financial Aid: “Are there institutional scholarships, emergency grants, Work-Study opportunities, or other funding that I might qualify for?”
Sometimes money exists that students simply don't know to ask about.
9. Build relationships with people.
This one has probably been one of the biggest lessons for me.
Talk to professors. Talk to your dean. Talk to administrators. Attend company events. Talk to recruiters. Go to career fairs. Connect with alumni. Talk to older students who have internships.
And don't approach everyone asking for a job.
Build genuine relationships, ask questions, learn from people and let them know what you're interested in. Over time, people start sending opportunities to you because they know what you're looking for.
10. Don't try to do everything at once.
This is probably the most important part.
You could technically have a campus job + internship applications + business + scholarships + research + classes all happening simultaneously, but if your grades collapse, you've defeated the purpose.
I would start with:
1. Find one reliable source of income during the semester.
2. Apply consistently for scholarships.
3. Build toward a good paid summer internship.
4. Apply for paid programs whenever you see them.
5. Develop one skill that you can eventually monetize.
Then build from there.
And please don't feel discouraged if you don't make a lot immediately. When I started college, I didn't magically know about every opportunity either. A lot of it has been learning where to look, asking people, getting rejected, applying again, building relationships, and gradually finding better opportunities.
Your goal shouldn't just be to make the most money you can this semester. Your goal should be to leave college with little debt, savings if possible, strong experience, valuable skills, relationships, and a career that puts you in a position to take care of yourself and eventually help your parents much more substantially.
I also really respect that one of the reasons you want to do this is to help your mom and dad. But one thing I want you to remember is that you don't have to solve every financial problem for your family immediately. You're still building yourself. The best thing you can do is find ways to earn money now without sacrificing your academics and the opportunities that could put you in a much stronger position to help them later.
From my own experience, I would look at it in a few different ways:
1. Start with your professors.
This is one people overlook. Go through your department's faculty page and look at what your professors are researching or working on. If something interests you, email them and ask whether they have any opportunities for undergraduate students to assist with research.
Some professors have grants that allow them to hire research assistants. Others may know another professor who needs someone. Even if the first opportunity isn't paid, you can specifically ask whether there are paid research positions available now or in the future.
And don't only ask professors you already know. Introduce yourself.
2. Look for Work-Study and other campus jobs.
Check your financial aid package to see whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study. If you do, start applying early because positions can fill up. But even if you don't have Work-Study, universities usually have other student jobs. Look at places like:
Housing/Residence Life
Dining
Library
Admissions
Student Affairs
Recreation Center
IT/Computer Labs
Academic departments
Administrative offices
Tutoring centers
Athletics
Alumni/Foundation offices
Also ASK PEOPLE. Don't rely only on the job portal.
Walk into offices, introduce yourself, and say, “Hi, I'm a student looking for opportunities to work on campus. Does your department hire student workers?” Some of my own opportunities on campus have come because I built relationships with people and let them know I was willing to work.
3. Apply for paid internships even before you think you're ready.
This is probably one of the biggest ones. Don't wait until junior or senior year. Start applying as early as freshman year.
Look at companies in industries you're interested in and search for internships, early-identification programs, sophomore programs, externships, insight programs, etc. Internships can sometimes allow you to earn significantly more during the summer than you would from a regular student job during the semester. More importantly, you're getting paid and building experience that can lead to an even better-paying internship or full-time job later.
That's something I've personally tried to be intentional about: I don't only think, “How much does this opportunity pay me today?” I also think, “What can this opportunity position me for next year?”
4. Look for paid programs offered by companies and organizations.
This is another category many students don't know exists.
Companies, nonprofits, foundations, and professional organizations sometimes run:
paid externships
fellowships
leadership programs
case competitions
research programs
ambassador programs
conferences with stipends
career-development programs
summer programs
project-based programs
Some might pay $500, $1,000, $2,000+ or provide scholarships/stipends. Others may cover travel, hotels, meals, etc., which is still money you don't have to spend yourself.
I've benefited a lot from simply applying for programs. Sometimes I apply and don't get selected. That's normal. But you only need some of them to work out.
5. Apply aggressively for scholarships.
I consider scholarships another way of “making money” in college because every $1,000 someone else pays toward your education is $1,000 you don't have to find yourself.
Don't only chase the huge national scholarships.
Look for:
university scholarships
departmental scholarships
alumni scholarships
local scholarships
corporate scholarships
professional associations
foundations
scholarships related to your major
scholarships related to your extracurricular activities
Sometimes the smaller $500–$2,000 scholarships have far fewer applicants.
6. Turn whatever skill you already have into money.
Ask yourself: “What can I do that somebody else would pay me for?”
It could be:
Tutoring
Graphic design
Photography
Video editing
Hair/braiding
Writing/editing
Resume assistance
Social media management
Website design
Coding
Excel/data work
Canva designs
Cleaning
Babysitting
Translation
Selling products
Event photography
Content creation
You don't necessarily need to start a huge business. You might only have five clients. That's still income.
I've been an entrepreneur myself, and one lesson I've learned is that you don't always have to wait for somebody to “give you a job.” Sometimes you can identify something people need and provide it.
7. Use school breaks strategically.
Summer, winter break and other longer breaks can be earning periods.
During the semester, maybe you work 8–15 hours per week because academics come first. During summer, you can pursue a full-time internship, research program, job, or another paid opportunity and save aggressively.
That's much more sustainable than trying to work 30–40 hours every week while taking a full course load.
8. Talk to Career Services and Financial Aid.
Go there physically if you can. Ask Career Services: “Are there any paid internships, campus positions or employer programs available to students right now?”
Ask Financial Aid: “Are there institutional scholarships, emergency grants, Work-Study opportunities, or other funding that I might qualify for?”
Sometimes money exists that students simply don't know to ask about.
9. Build relationships with people.
This one has probably been one of the biggest lessons for me.
Talk to professors. Talk to your dean. Talk to administrators. Attend company events. Talk to recruiters. Go to career fairs. Connect with alumni. Talk to older students who have internships.
And don't approach everyone asking for a job.
Build genuine relationships, ask questions, learn from people and let them know what you're interested in. Over time, people start sending opportunities to you because they know what you're looking for.
10. Don't try to do everything at once.
This is probably the most important part.
You could technically have a campus job + internship applications + business + scholarships + research + classes all happening simultaneously, but if your grades collapse, you've defeated the purpose.
I would start with:
1. Find one reliable source of income during the semester.
2. Apply consistently for scholarships.
3. Build toward a good paid summer internship.
4. Apply for paid programs whenever you see them.
5. Develop one skill that you can eventually monetize.
Then build from there.
And please don't feel discouraged if you don't make a lot immediately. When I started college, I didn't magically know about every opportunity either. A lot of it has been learning where to look, asking people, getting rejected, applying again, building relationships, and gradually finding better opportunities.
Your goal shouldn't just be to make the most money you can this semester. Your goal should be to leave college with little debt, savings if possible, strong experience, valuable skills, relationships, and a career that puts you in a position to take care of yourself and eventually help your parents much more substantially.