A part-time job is an essential resource for international students as this enables them to earn extra income, manage their living expenses, and gain valuable work experience. There is a need to look at flexible opportunities that accommodate study schedules.
Here’s an insightful guide by MSM Unify to the most popular part-time jobs that international students should prefer to make their stay abroad safe and secure, along with their responsibilities, required skills, and benefits.
Top 9 most popular part-time jobs to consider
International students have numerous options when it comes to choosing part-time roles that fit their schedules and skills. Below, we’ve highlighted the key responsibilities, required skills, salary ranges, and more for each job. Here are the details of these exciting opportunities:
1. Library Assistant
The job of a library assistant provides a systematic and peaceful setting for students looking for popular part-time jobs to earn money close to academic resources. This is a perfect job for those who enjoy working quietly and have an organized mindset. Students in this role learn skills such as cataloging and customer assistance, which can be helpful in future administrative positions.
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- Key responsibilities: Library book organization, assisting with library systems, and helping students find resources
- Required skills: Detail-oriented, with excellent customer service skills and possessing basic organizational skills
- Average pay: $12 – $15 per hour
- Salary range:
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- Beginner: $10 – $12/hour
- Intermediate: $13 – $15/hour
- Advanced: $16+/hour
- Top employers: University libraries, public libraries, and research institutions
2. Barista
Barista roles are a great job for students who enjoy fast-paced environments and like engaging with customers. This job helps develop interpersonal skills while teaching you how to make coffee and handle orders, making it a most popular part-time job for many students. It is also an excellent opportunity to socialize with more people and be connected with members of your community while getting steady pay.
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- Key responsibilities: Preparation of beverages, handling orders, and maintaining customer satisfaction
- Required skills: It is required to communicate, multitask, and have a friendly attitude.
- Average Pay: $10 – $14 per hour
- Salary range:
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- Beginner: $10 – $12/hour
- Intermediate: $13 – $14/hour
- Advanced: $15+/hour
- Top employers: Starbucks, Costa Coffee, and local cafes
3. Retail Sales Assistant
Retail jobs put students in contact with a wide range of products and customers and it is one of the most popular part-time jobs in the list. As a retail sales assistant, you can work flexible shifts, experience sales opportunities, and develop effective communication skills. Being a retail sales assistant entails serving customers, ensuring shelves are restocked, and developing a quality shopping experience.
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- Key responsibilities: Helping customers, taking care of inventory, and processing the payments on time.
- Required skills: Good communication, teamwork, and basic math
- Average pay: $11 – $15 per hour
- Salary range:
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- Beginner: $10 – $12/hour
- Intermediate: $13 – $15/hour
- Advanced: $16+/hour
- Top employers: Walmart, H&M, Target
4. Freelance Content Creator
Freelance content creation provides an international student with an excellent opportunity to present creativity and work from a distance. It is among the most popular online part-time jobs where one gets the opportunity to collaborate with different brands or clients on several projects like blog posts, social media, or videos. It’s quite flexible and best for a portfolio in digital media and marketing.
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- Key responsibilities: Creating various blog posts, videos, or graphics for various clients
- Required skills: Creativity, proficiency in editing tools, and time management
- Average pay: $20 – $50 per project
- Salary range:
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- Beginner: $15 – $25/hour
- Intermediate: $30 – $40/hour
- Advanced: $50+/hour
- Top employers: Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer
5. Food Delivery Rider
The popular choice for most students is food delivery, offering flexible hours and decent earnings. It is a fantastic way to get to know the city, stay fit, and be your own boss, hence, it is the most popular part-time job one wishes to do to earn money. Many companies also offer bonuses for peak-hour deliveries, making it a very good job for students with bikes or scooters.
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- Key responsibilities: Pick up foods from the restaurants, and deliver them correctly to the customers quickly and accurately
- Required skills: Time management, proper navigation skills, and physical fitness
- Average pay: $12 – $18 per hour
- Salary range:
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- Beginner: $10 – $14/hour
- Intermediate: $15 – $17/hour
- Advanced: $18+/hour
- Top employers: Uber Eats, DoorDash, Deliveroo
6. Online Tutor
Online tutoring is the most popular online part-time job for students who excel in academics or specific subjects. You can help other students improve their skills in subjects like math, science, or languages while working from the comfort of your home. This role also helps you enhance your teaching abilities and earn competitive pay.
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- Key responsibilities: Helping students with assignments and homework, conducting virtual lessons, and assessing performance
- Required skills: Subject knowledge, communication, and patience
- Average pay: $15 – $30 per hour
- Salary range:
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- Beginner: $15 – $20/hour
- Intermediate: $25 – $30/hour
- Advanced: $35+/hour
- Top employers: Chegg, TutorMe, VIPKid
7. Call Center Representative
Students can improve their communication and problem-solving abilities while earning a reliable income by working in call centers as it is the best choice for most popular part-time jobs. It is an excellent position for developing interpersonal skills because you will be interacting with consumers, answering their questions, and promoting goods and services.
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- Key responsibilities: Handling customer queries, resolving issues, and promoting services
- Required skills: Patience, problem-solving, and communication
- Average pay: $10 – $18 per hour
- Salary range:
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- Beginner: $10 – $12/hour
- Intermediate: $13 – $16/hour
- Advanced: $17+/hour
- Top employers: Teleperformance, Amazon, Concentrix
8. Babysitter
Babysitting offers flexible hours and an opportunity to work closely with families. The job is very appropriate for people who like working with children and have enough responsibilities like homework help, cooking, and providing security for children. Families develop strong bonds with their babysitters as the service offered has a personal touch to it and this is the most popular part-time job one can happily do.
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- Key responsibilities: Supervising children, preparing meals, and ensuring safety
- Required skills: Patience, responsibility, and interpersonal skills
- Average pay: $12 – $20 per hour
- Salary range:
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- Beginner: $10 – $12/hour
- Intermediate: $14 – $18/hour
- Advanced: $20+/hour
- Top employers: Families, babysitting platforms like Care.com
9. Selling pictures online
For international students with photography skills, selling pictures online is a great opportunity. You can transform your creative passion into income by selling images to stock photo websites, businesses, or individuals. It’s one of the most popular online part-time jobs for students because you can work from home and pick projects you like.
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- Key responsibilities: Capture high-quality images and upload them to online platforms
- Required skills: Photography, editing, and creativity
- Average pay: $10 – $30 per photo
- Salary range:
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- Beginner: $10 – $15/photo
- Intermediate: $16 – $25/photo
- Advanced: $26+/photo
- Top employers: Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Getty Images
Please note: The salary mentioned in the above tables may be subject to change as per the job roles or employer requirements. It is always best to verify the current market rates with your employers.
Conclusion
Finding the right part-time job can make life as an international student more manageable and enriching. Whether you choose a campus role, freelance opportunity, or customer service position, these jobs offer flexibility, financial independence, and skill development.
Platforms, like MSM Unify overseas education consultants, can guide students in finding the most popular part-time jobs abroad while helping them balance work and study. Start exploring these opportunities today and make the most of your international experience.
FAQs
1. What are some of the popular part-time jobs for international students?
There is a wide range of popular part-time jobs for international students like library assistants, baristas, retail sales assistants, and even food delivery riders. These jobs have flexible timings and pay decently. Thus, they could help to offset some living expenses.
2. What are the most popular online part-time jobs for students?
The most popular online part-time jobs for students are freelance content creation, online tutoring, and selling pictures online. These jobs made a place at the top due to their flexibility as the job could be completed from home. Thus, students could efficiently balance their studies and this small-time job.
3. What skills are required for the most popular online part-time jobs?
Skills required for roles in the most popular part-time online jobs include creativity, the ability to work with digital tools, time management skills, and effective written and verbal communication- skills required in freelancing as a content writer and online tutor.
4. How would international students discover the most popular part-time jobs?
In simple terms, getting a part-time job is rather straightforward. Universities also have these jobs posted and many portals where all part-time openings can be easily located. Try speaking to classmates about possible placements too.
5. Why should students take up these popular part-time jobs?
Some popular part-time jobs that students may take up help them earn some extra money, gain work experience, and develop other valuable skills. Such jobs will also help the students manage their cost of living and provide an opportunity to interact with the community and other students.
