It’s no secret that life as a student can be expensive, so many students choose to work part time alongside their studies or during the holidays to help finance the many costs of student living as well as to gain some great experience in the professional world.
For the past year however many of the typical ‘student jobs’ such as working in a bar, coffee shop, as a waitress or waiter, at a summer camp or working in events have been impossible due to the pandemic and the lockdown restrictions. Whilst the number of available jobs has reduced, the cost of living for a student hasn’t and it has been difficult for students to make money through part time jobs.
If you’re looking for a way to earn some extra money, even during the lockdown periods, we’ve compiled a list of all the available jobs that are still possible during lockdown and are a great fit for students to schedule in around their online learning or to do full time. Whilst some of the typical student jobs might be temporarily unavailable, there’s plenty of online jobs and part time jobs that can help the student side hustle in these difficult times!
Online Tutoring
Many people find the idea of online tutoring daunting or think that only qualified teachers can provide lessons but it is actually the perfect job for students! Whilst you may not realise it, you are full of knowledge about the subject you study and have so much experience in taking exams and managing school work, which will be invaluable to younger students.
Lots of children will prefer having a student as their tutor and will engage more with you than a traditional teacher as you might be able to offer something different compared to their normal school setting. There are opportunities to tutor in almost any subject or activity, from the traditional school subjects of Maths, English and French to teaching someone how to play the guitar online!
You can work as many or as few hours as you want, and if you sign up with Yoopies you’re also able to set your own rates and keep 100% of the fees you charge. Online tutors can expect to earn anything from £10-£45 an hour depending on your experience, references and the subject area.
Does tutoring sound like your next job? Read our ‘How to become a tutor guide’ and sign up with Yoopies to search for tutoring opportunities and instantly contact potential students today!
Dog walking and Pet Sitting
Do you love spending time with animals, going for a walk or do you have an hour or two free during the day? Why not get paid for it too! Pet Sitting can be a great informal or regular job as you can choose your own hours and at Yoopies you are free to set your own rates too.
Spending time with a pet is a wonderful way to relieve loneliness and stress, and in the current climate this is more important than ever. It’s no surprise therefore that pet ownership has risen exponentially in recent months meaning there is a growing demand for pet sitters. Dog walking in particular has proven benefits for both physical and mental health (find out more here!), so why not get paid for something that is going to benefit you in a variety of ways rather than sign up for a desk job!
To find our more about the duties and life of a petsitter read our comprehensive guide and sign up with Yoopies to instantly search for dog walking and pet sitting jobs in your local area.
Nannying
Whilst the lockdown period means many parents are working from home, it does not mean that nannies are no longer needed. There is a high demand for nannies in certain situations for example parents who work from home and have young children and parents who are key workers, as many of the traditional childcare settings such as activity clubs and schools are currently closed.
During the pandemic, childcare providers including nannies and childminders are allowed to continue working, as long as they take the necessary precautions (find out more here) so why not help out a family in need by offering your services as an extra pair of hands to help look after their children.
Nannies offering tutoring services as well are especially attractive to parents with school aged children as you could help with their home school routine as well as providing childcare. Working as a nanny through Yoopies means you can set your own hours and rates and get in contact with families directly to start work as soon as possible!
Companionship/Elderly Carer
There are many people, especially the elderly and vulnerable, who are unable to go about their daily lives in a safe and secure way at the moment due to the pandemic and lockdown restrictions causing them to have to isolate. Whilst most caring jobs require qualifications, there are many people who are looking for support with the practical aspects of their daily life.
Search our elderly care jobs to find a job within your skill set, it could be running errands for an individual, doing their food shopping or simply offering companionship through video calls or socially distanced walks. Read our guide to working as an elderly care assistant here!
Delivery Driver
If you live in a city or a town, you might have noticed that food delivery drivers are everywhere! Working as a delivery driver for take away food can be an easy way to make some money for students. If you decided to work for one of the larger food delivery companies such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats or Just Eat then you are free to set your own hours and use either a car or bike to deliver the food. Work as much or as little as you want and earn money whilst you exercise (for those on a bike!).
Another option is to get a job directly with a restaurant as a delivery driver, there are pros and cons to both options however this route is more likely to guarantee you sufficient working hours per week however you will have less freedom to choose your own hours and often will have to adhere to your employers schedule.
Supermarket Work
The supermarket is one of the places that has become far busier during lockdown, and we know that no matter the restrictions in place they will always need to stay open. Therefore it is a great job for someone looking for a secure income and a large amount of shifts as there is so much work to be done. Contrary to popular opinion, working at a supermarket does not just mean sitting behind the checkout, there are a number of roles available from working in the warehouse to greeting customers so you are sure to find a position suited to your personality and skill set.
Search your local job sites or the supermarket websites directly to find available positions in your local area!