If you're a college student, you've probably found yourself between a rock and a hard place when it comes to work: You're not yet qualified for a job in your field, but you may need more than just your brand-new college degree to land a job -- you might also need experience in your field. In addition to internships, there are plenty of positions, both paid and unpaid, that can make you more employable after graduation. Here are five on-campus jobs that can help you build your resume.
1. Sell study materials through FlashNotes.com
Entrepreneurs, listen up: There's a new way to make money, and it doesn't require wandering far from the classroom.
On FlashNotes.com, you can sell anything from study flashcards to tutorials for specific college courses. So not only are you helping a fellow student who may be struggling with a course, you're also creating something and making money from it. It's an entrepreneurial venture that shows future employers how creative and business-minded you are.
2. Tutor
There are typically a couple of ways you can go about tutoring on campus.
You can go the classic route, which is tutoring at your school's tutoring center. This will likely be paid job, one that you can work around your school schedule and in a subject you excel in, often related to your major. Different departments may even have their own tutors, or you can tutor individually, which is more of an entrepreneurial venture. You'll have to find students willing to pay you, and run it like a business. (Make sure you are aware of tax implications.)
Becoming a tutor on campus may impress potential employers, especially if you're going into education after graduation.
3. Write for a school publication
If you're a writer, you may want to do more than tweet and post Facebook updates.
For aspiring writers and journalists, writing for a school publication can score you clips and second glances from employers after graduation. This can be with a college newspaper, magazine or website. It may or may not be paid (probably not), but it will gain you real publishing experience, which is essential when applying for writing jobs.
4. Become a campus brand ambassador
Passionate about a brand? Perhaps you're an Apple fanboy or a Pepsi addict. You can potentially use that to your advantage.
According to U.S. News & World Report, companies like General Mills Inc., Google and Coca-Cola Co. hire on-campus ambassadors to "do everything from wear the brand's logo to tweet about the products." This is perfect for marketing and advertising majors or public relations students, who can put a legit company on their resumes and gain experience in sales and marketing. Maybe you'll even score some free gear.
5. Run for student office
Running for student office, whether in your own department or the school at large, can beef up your resume even if you're not an aspiring politician.
As Truckee Meadows Community College, in Reno, Nev., pointed out on its website: "Student government is excellent leadership training. A term as a student government representative may greatly enhance your academic and professional resume. Being a member of the student government is a great opportunity to meet new people and make long lasting relationships with a diverse group of students."
That kind of leadership role could look great on a law school or grad school application, as well as allow you to say you have management experience when going for other leadership positions after graduation. Also, you might have a say in big campus decisions and get to know professors, who are often active in the local professional community, which can help with making connections in the area.
Of course, there are most likely plenty of other excellent on-campus opportunities, depending on your school, but these five can be a good place to start. Since they're on-campus, they're easier to complete during a school day. Also, many of these positions will work around your class schedule, meaning you don't have to choose between an education and a career-building opportunity.
While none of these should replace internships, imagine how prepared to work in your field you might feel with one of these jobs and an internship on your resume.
Sources:
"College Jobs That Will Turbocharge Your Resume," Courtney Rubin, US News & World Report, Sept. 11, 2013,
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2013/09/11/7-college-jobs-that-will-turbocharge-your-resume
"SGA Frequently Asked Questions," Truckee Meadows Community College,
http://www.tmcc.edu/sga/faq/