The Best College Jobs... While You're In College

Any job you take during college is a good one.That's because it shows employers you can balance school and work at the same time. The best college jobs, though, are the ones that help you land the career you want, right after you've graduated.
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Any job you take during college is a good one.

That's because it shows employers you can balance school and work at the same time.

The best college jobs, though, are the ones that help you land the career you want, right after you've graduated.

And if you really want to get a leg up on these jobs, be sure to make your way -- sooner rather than later -- to your school's campus employment office.

Now onto four of the best college jobs, while you're in college:

1. Work Study
While not usually the highest salary, work study positions have plenty of side benefits that make them amongst the most valuable jobs.

For one thing, they may very well come attached to your financial aid package; it can sometimes be difficult to tell exactly where your grants end and your salary begins.

Secondly, work study positions often pay much higher wages than similar positions would. You are often doing minimum-wage labor for a much higher check. Nothing wrong with grabbing a little extra value.

But, perhaps most importantly, work study jobs are just what they sound like -- positions with enough down time that there are plenty of chances to study.

That's valuable in innumerable ways -- whether it helps you buckle down with your work while away from friends, or gives you spare time elsewhere to hold another job, or participate in extracurriculars -- there's little doubt that work study jobs bring wealth well beyond the size of a paycheck.

2. Dorm Aid
This is a new business, started at Harvard in 2004, and they're looking to aggressively expand to other college campuses.

Here's how it works. Dorm Aid helps students with various dorm-related activities -- from laundry to cleaning -- for, of course, a fee.

Should you decide to open up your local chapter, not only are you learning valuable skill sets -- from entrepreneurial experience to from management, to bookkeeping -- but your potential earnings are limitless.

Depending how much time and effort you put into your new franchise, you could potentially well exceed your initial funding efforts, and start saving away for trips or graduation. Nothing like owning a business to give you a taste of wealth.

And if dorm aid isn't for you -- there have been innumerable companies started by college students. There's nothing wrong with trying out your own entrepreneurial spirit -- so long as you aren't relying on an immediate payoff.

3. Library Assistant
Library jobs have become somewhat competitive on college campuses, but by all means do inquire. After all, the pay is reasonable (often $10 - $12/hour), and of course the library is conducive to studying. In other words, "get paid to study" when you're not doing things like shelving, sorting and organizing books, or whatever the position entails.

And if your college library isn't hiring, be sure to check the local public libraries.

4. Career-Related
Again, be sure to visit your college employment office to learn about the opportunities in your desired field. There's nothing like getting a placement in a favored department or related business.

You'll learn how things work from the ground up. You'll make contacts that may prove quite useful after graduation. And you'll gain the sort of experience that only can be found through on-the-ground training.

With that sort of a leg up on the competition when you enter today's tight job market, finding a job on your career path may be the difference between a head start, and a full-on derailment.

To Your Success,

Scott Weingold

Co-Founder, College Planning Network LLC
Publisher, CollegeMadeSimple.com -- The free educational resource of College Planning Network

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