In most countries, it’s a rite of passage for college students to begin dabbling in the professional world during the semester or, more often, during the summer. 

However, not only are coveted internship spots competitive, but they are often unpaid and with student loan debt only increasing, a job may be a more lucrative option for students looking to supplement their savings. 

But, with worldwide lockdowns potentially extended for a second summer, there may be fewer “conventional” jobs available. Still, there remain a plethora of remote jobs for college students to explore. Here’s our pick of the top 10.

1. Social Media Content Creator

As social media continues to direct sales, revenues, and be an important aspect of any business, there is increased demand for students and employees who are comfortable navigating online platforms. 

Many companies will hire college students to create social media content for them for the summer, from stockpiling Instagram and Twitter posts to creating a plan for Facebook and other social media ad content. 

With TikTok becoming increasingly important, too, the Gen Z-er college student who can navigate this space with confidence is in high-demand. Either apply for these positions directly on LinkedIn and other job search sites or reach out to organizations whose social media presence you know you can improve. Freelance writing is another relatively lucrative remote job for college students to pick up in their spare time. While many blogs and websites may not directly advertise that they need writers, reaching out to sites you admire with a series of pitches or even a portfolio of past writing can lead to a gig. 

These positions are likely to be less consistent, particularly if you’re only looking for a summer job, so be prepared to be flexible and offer to write during the school year, too, if a magazine enjoys your style.

3. Web Designer

If you’re a programmer or graphic design student, consider putting your degree to use! College students are cheaper to hire, especially for short-term projects like web design, so landing 2-3 of these gigs over the summer could not only be a great source of income, but would also build up your portfolio for when you do apply for a full-time job after graduating.

4. Editor

If you have an eye for edits, and often help friends out with their essays, consider editing full-time during the summer or part-time during the school year. You can start by charging friends a small fee for edits and then working your way up to applying for a position at a blog. 

There is also demand for freelance editors online, so peruse various websites to see if you can pick up a gig or two each day.

5. Tutor

Everyone has to major in something in college so why not share your knowledge and tutor high school students in your neighborhood over the summer? Given that Google Meet and FaceTime are free video conferencing sources, it’s easier than ever to offer your services to family friends who can recommend you to their networks, too. 

Moreover, even if your major — like Engineering — can’t be taught to a high school student yet, you can still pick up SAT tutoring or help students brush up for their AP exams. As a recent high school graduate, you’ll know the skills necessary to ace an exam and make it into college, so use that to your advantage.

6. Influencer

If you’ve ever wanted to be an influencer, now might be your chance! While becoming a social media influencer or starting your own YouTube channel isn’t easy, the summer offers ample time to create content, perfect your videos, and build a following so that you’re able to make money throughout the year on brand deals, advertisements, and more. It’s not easy, and there won’t be any money guaranteed, but if this is a dream then perhaps now is the right time to pursue it.

7. Researcher

Many research roles can easily be done remotely, so consider reaching out to professors or even companies to see if you can assist them with research over the summer. While internships may be unpaid, a professor can often put you on their grant to ensure that you receive a minor stipend for your work. 

Also, consider looking through any grants your school may offer. Many schools will offer grants for unpaid internships and research roles that are perfect for the virtual environment we’re all in.

8. Telemedicine Support Staff

Telemedicine has risen sharply in importance over the past year due to COVID-19. As companies in this industry grow, they could certainly use interns to help speak to their large clientele and schedule appointments. Consider finding these positions either on websites like LinkedIn or simply reaching out directly to startups in this industry. 

9. Event Planner

With weddings, birthdays, and other major events slowly picking back up, the event planning industry has many remote jobs for college students to explore. 

Even if this area isn’t your passion, it could be an easy way to make money, as it’s a field that needs low-cost assistance — given that so many event planners and coordinators were laid off last year and most companies still don’t have the funds to rehire them. A college student, on the other hand, is the perfect choice for a summer intern as these small businesses get back on their feet. And, the best part is that this position is completely remote, too.  

10. ESL Instructor

Finally, consider teaching English online. The demand for ESL classes often picks up in the summer, making this an ideal part-time remote job for college students. While there may be a slight learning curve in figuring out the best way to teach it, this is among the more well-paid options for an online summer job. 

‍

While being a lifeguard or working at an ice cream shop may not be the most viable options for summer positions this year, there is still a number of remote jobs for college students looking to save money. And, best of all, given the online nature of these roles, any one of these could easily become a longer-term side hustle if you’re able to maintain it through the semester, as well.