Best Jobs for College Students With No Experience

As you plan your post-college life, you may wonder what the best jobs for college students with no experience are. Entry-level jobs are what you’re looking for. Entry-level typically refers to a professional job that requires no previous experience in that field. What career options are there for people who have a degree but are just getting started? Plenty!

The best jobs for college students with no experience are in all kinds of sectors and with different types of companies. So, how can you land one of these entry-level jobs for college graduates?

Ways to Gain Experience

While having a paid job in your target field is one way to go, not every student can work while they’re in school.

Internships: The most common way to gain related work experience is through an internship. An internship is a work-based experience where you complete entry-level tasks for the company. You can do these over the summer and work for a company that does what you want to do. Internships are a great way to get hands-on experience in a professional environment. However, internships can be quite competitive.
Virtual Job Simulation: A virtual job simulation (like the ones offered at Forage) is another great way to gain practical skills on the job. Job simulations are also a great addition to your resume - once you do a job simulation, you more than triple your chances of landing a role.
Transferable Skills: One often overlooked way to demonstrate you’ve got the right skills and experience for the job is transferable skills. These are the skills you master in one job that you can use in any job. Let’s say you worked at an ice cream shop over the summer and now you want to be a salesperson. At the ice cream shop, you likely interacted with hundreds of customers.
Relevant Certification: Finally, obtaining a relevant certification demonstrates that you’re willing to learn and master new skills.

Top Jobs for College Students and Graduates

While searching for the best jobs for college students with no experience, it’s important to note that not all titles are created equal. Here are some of the best jobs for college students and graduates, with many that also have a free job simulation on Forage to help you master the skills you need to get the job done - and more than triple your chances of landing a role.

Laboratory Technician: A laboratory technician is responsible for a lot of the hands-on testing that happens in a lab. They don’t design the research, experiments, or tests, but they are responsible for ensuring the test results are valid.
Graphic Designer: Graphic designers communicate ideas and sell products using visual elements. That includes things like logos, illustrations, infographics, or other images. Research and design a new product for a banking client with BCG's Strategic and Experience Design team.
Human Resources Professional: The human resources department is responsible for all things employee-related. So, human resources professionals may recruit, hire, and onboard staff, but they also figure out fringe benefits, design and update policies, and maintain employee records. Try your hand at human resources in this free course from GE Aerospace.
Research Assistant: As the name implies, a research assistant assists the lead researcher with their project. You may find work in an academic setting helping a professor with their research projects.
Marketing Coordinator: Marketing coordinators usually don’t develop the marketing plan, but they do execute and track how well it performs. As a marketing coordinator, you may suggest ways to improve the plan’s performance based on the data you gather.
Public Relations Assistant: Public relations assistants handle a broad range of public relations tasks. They are responsible for managing the public relations calendar, responding to requests for comments, and writing some press releases. PR assistant is one potential job for graduates with communications degrees.
Accountant: Most accountants start their careers at accounting firms, though some may work for companies that maintain an accounting staff.
Financial Analyst: Financial analysts collect and analyze data to create forecasts and predictions for the business. They do this by examining historical data or conducting a technical stock analysis. Experience what it's like to work as a financial analyst in this free course from New York Jobs CEO Council.
Sales Representative: A sales representative works directly with customers interested in purchasing a company’s product or service. Even though sales reps work with customers who have expressed an interest in making a purchase, they are still a “potential” customer. It’s up to the sales representative to close the deal.
Auditor: An auditor is similar to an accountant in that they examine and work with the financial records of a company. However, instead of using the analysis to forecast outcomes, auditors use it to identify areas of financial risk or fraud. Experience what it's like to work as an auditor in this free course from PwC.
Event Coordinator: Event coordinators plan special events, including everything from weddings to conferences to fundraising galas. But they’re so much more than party planners. Event coordinators have to pull together an event that runs smoothly. Try your hand at event planning in this free course from Moreton Bay Regional Council.
Information Technology (IT) Engineer: Information technology (IT) engineers are responsible for the health and maintenance of an organization’s computer systems. They identify and troubleshoot problems, configure and test systems, identify areas that need improvement, and make suggestions for updating or eliminating software and hardware.
Teacher: Teachers impart their knowledge and wisdom to their students. They do this by creating lessons that engage and enlighten while also assessing how well their students are mastering the information. Depending on the type of school they work in, these professionals will need varying education levels and credentials.
Social Worker: Social workers can work in a variety of settings, such as schools or community mental health programs. They work with individuals, families, and groups and help them create an action plan to overcome challenges.
Data Analyst: Companies hire data analysts to interpret and explain this data to help them make strategic, data-driven decisions.
Web Developer: That work includes everything from writing the code that runs the site to designing a frustration-free user experience - not to mention keeping the site safe and secure! As a web developer, you may work for a company, agency, or as a freelancer running your own web development company. Hone your web development skills in this free course from Moreton Bay Regional Council.
Management Analyst: Management analysts are sometimes called management consultants, but no matter what you call it, management analysts help organizations find ways to become more efficient. They look at a company’s challenges and analyze data to find inefficiencies or excesses. See what it's like to work in management consulting in this free course from PwC.
Social Media Assistant: Social media assistants may be part of a standalone social media team or part of the marketing team. They schedule and post social media assets, respond to follower comments, and flag problematic posts or comments.
Account Manager: Account managers are the main point of contact between a customer and the business and ensure the customer is achieving their goals. They do this by tracking metrics and creating reports, answering questions and troubleshooting concerns, and providing suggestions to improve the overall performance of the account. Build practical client service skills in this free course from Bloomberg.
Case Manager: Case managers generally work in healthcare settings, though they also work in some community-based programs. They act as the client’s advocate, supporting and guiding them while coordinating care and services among multiple providers.
Investment Banker: Investment bankers are a type of financial professional who analyze financial information to help companies buy and sell securities or make decisions on large corporate transactions. Salary range: $220,000 - $420,000.
Supply Chain Engineer: Supply chain engineers work behind the scene to ensure that goods and services are built and delivered efficiently. These professionals work on the entire end-to-end process, from manufacturing and transportation to warehousing.

Part-Time Job Opportunities for College Students

Depending on your skills and interests, there are a wide variety of options when it comes to finding part-time work. If you’re a student who could use the extra money, here are some part-time jobs to consider.

Read also: Balancing studies and work

On-Campus Opportunities

The federal work-study program is a great option if you qualify and prefer working on campus. These jobs are part of your financial aid package, so you won’t pay federal income taxes on earnings up to your maximum award.

Traditional Part-Time Jobs

Traditional part-time jobs are popular among college students due to their flexibility and lack of degree requirements. Jobs are not limited to those that involve working for establishments or small businesses. Families living around college campuses and even college faculty need these services, whether on a regular basis or occasionally. Start by asking campus staff if they are looking for a babysitter or dog walker and tell them you’re available. You may need to build a rapport with them so they know you can be trusted.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

You don’t have to work for someone else to earn a living. A part-time job can also involve starting your own business. If you like the idea of being able to control your own time and not having a boss to answer to, how about starting your own little enterprise?

Freelancing

Want to make money as a college student but prefer to do it from the confines of your own room? Freelancing is the answer! Do you get rave reviews for your writing skills? You can earn a decent income as a freelance writer. Your earnings as a freelancer will depend on your experience and availability. The best part is you will be able to set your own schedule and take on as much or as little work as you want. Even better, there aren't geographical restrictions when it comes to online work.

Tutoring

Who better to teach students than other students? You’ve been through the material, and you understand it. Not every student knows the subject as well as you do, and many could use additional help outside the classroom. Chances are, the knowledge is still fresh in your mind, and you can actually earn some money by passing that knowledge on to people who need it to succeed. Look for tutoring opportunities on campus and online as well. Decide which works better for you. If the scope on campus is limited, consider online tutoring.

Read also: Scooter Review: College Edition

Selling Handmade Crafts

If you have a creative flair, selling handmade crafts can be both fulfilling and profitable. Whether you knit, draw, sew, or create unique jewelry, there’s a market for your talents.

Gig Work and Side Hustles

Gig work or side hustles are relative new ways for students to earn money in addition to traditional jobs or instead of them. The ability to work when you want is appealing.

Ride-sharing and delivery: Consider driving for Uber, Lyft, or delivering groceries with Shipt or Instacart.
Microtasks: Amazon Mechanical Turk offers online part-time jobs like completing surveys or performing short-term tasks.
Local gig listings: Sites like Craigslist feature a 'Gigs' section where you can find temporary jobs that usually last a day or two.

Gig work can often be more lucrative than traditional employment due to the urgent nature of these tasks, with employers willing to pay a premium and offer tips for a job well done.

Paid Internships

Not long ago, the vast majority of internships were unpaid. Today, an increasing number of companies are opting to pay their interns. This may be to ensure that they stay within the bounds of the Department of Labor regulations. This is good news for students who can now enjoy the benefits of an internship while also earning a bit of money. Students who intern can pick up valuable skills and experience related to their field of choice. They can also make important connections with employers, future coworkers, and others. Your advisor can help you find paid internship opportunities if this is something you’re interested in.

Summer Employment

Summer employment may not technically be its own type of employment but is still worth mentioning. Some college students are unable or unwilling to work during the school year so summer jobs are the only way to make extra money. The summer season also brings more job opportunities.

Read also: Dogs for University Life

Developing Valuable Life Skills

As a high school or college student, don’t hesitate to explore part-time jobs outside your field of study. Even if the job isn’t directly related to your intended degree, it can still teach valuable life skills like communication, customer service, teamwork, and attention to detail. Plus, it never hurts to be able to showcase more experience on your resume!

Scholarships

While you’re searching for part-time job opportunities, don’t forget to check out scholarship search databases. You can discover thousands of dollars in scholarships that you could be eligible for.

tags: #best #jobs #for #college #students #with