If you are studying online, part-time, to train for a new career, then you have many advantages over traditional college students. For example, you may have a more flexible schedule, able to complete your work at different times of the day versus always having to commute to a campus and attend a class at a fixed time. With a flexible and part-time schedule, you may have time to fit in a side job to earn some extra cash. Who doesn’t want a little extra cash, right? Keep reading for our pick on five side gigs you can pick up part-time relatively quickly.
Food Delivery: Uber Eats, Doordash, Postmates
Do you have a car or motorcycle? Or, if you live in a dense urban area, all you may need is a bike or scooter. Signing up for a meal delivery service is a great way to make some extra cash, fast. Signing up and getting approved is pretty easy. You can work as much or as little as you want, and whenever you want. Essentially, you are your own boss. If you like being out and about, this is a good gig. It also helps you explore the area where you live. Make sure to provide good service so you can earn tips, as tips are a big portion of your paycheck.
Uber Eats // https://www.uber.com/a/signup/drive/deliver/
- 19 years old minimum
- Drivers must have a valid license, insurance, registration, 1 year of driving experience, and the vehicle must be less than 19 years old
- Must be able to lift 30 pounds
- Non-drivers must have a bike or scooter
- Smartphone with a good data plan
Door Dash // https://www.doordash.com/dasher/signup/ge/5761dc?
- 18 or older
- Any car, scooter, or bicycle (in select cities)
- Driver’s license number
- Social security number (only in the United States)
- Consent to a background check
Postmates // https://fleet.postmates.com/
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid U.S. driver’s license
- Have a valid Social Security number
- Have a mailing address
- Live in (or near) a city that Postmates operates in
- Upload a profile photo upon request
- Pass a background check
For all these delivery services, you should check their websites for additional requirements and details. They may also require things such as a bank account, for example. You can sign up for free to get more information. Also, each service may offer some sort of referral incentive or a sign-up bonus for new members. Make no mistake, delivery is not easy and customers can be finicky. However, it is a flexible job for earning some cash on the side, on your own schedule.
Grocery Delivery: Shipt, Instacart
Delivering groceries can be a great side gig and is different from food delivery because you are often required to go into a grocery store, locate the items on the shopping list, checkout, and deliver. As a result, orders take much longer but also pay more. Four of the top services for grocery delivery include Instacart, Shipt, Walmart, and Amazon Fresh.
For each of these services, you will need to meet a number of requirements, typically including a reliable vehicle; valid license, insurance, and registration; be at least 18 or older; have a bank account; have a smartphone; be able to lift heavy bags, over 25 pounds; pass a background check; and be available to shop at stores during their business hours. The last point is important, because if you don’t want to work during the daytime, this may not be a lucrative side gig for you.
Some of these services offer opportunities to just be a picker in the store, gathering up and packing the merchandise for someone else to deliver. So, if you don’t want to drive, you can still work one of these gigs. Specific requirements will vary among these four services, so check their websites for more information.
Big Box Online Retailers: Amazon, Walmart, Target
Three of the largest retailers in America are Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Not only do Walmart and Target have stores virtually everywhere, but they also do a tremendous amount of volume online, in addition to the largest online retailer, Amazon. Because all three retailers have a huge online presence, they also have warehouses all over the country. This means there are multiple part-time opportunities to work in physical stores as well as warehouses, in dozens of different roles.
These roles typically have part-time shifts and many at odd hours. These roles include cashiers, pickers (who find items in stores for customer pickup), stockers, packers and shippers, maintenance, and more. Just visit each store’s website and scroll to the bottom to find links for employment opportunities near you.
Depending on how many hours you work per week, you may be eligible for additional benefits after a certain period of time. These might include health insurance, additional training, educational opportunities, discounts, and other types of perks.
Freelancing: Fiverr, UpWork
Our final recommendation for earning a little extra cash on the side is a bit more nontraditional than our first three – freelancing. Two major sites, Fiverr.com and UpWork.com allow you to create profiles to offer services ranging from graphic design and website coding to voiceover work and social media marketing. The requirements for signing up are fairly low, you just have to be able to market a skill. You’ll be listed alongside others offering similar services, so you have to stand out by showing your prior work, advertising attractive prices, and demonstrating attention to your customers’ needs. However, you work on your own schedule and set your own rates.
You can also review proposals from businesses looking for specific skills to support projects and submit your bid and profile for consideration. It takes some practice and good skills to succeed, but there is definitely a strong demand for both creative and technical people.
You Set the Tone
Whether you want to work a few hours or many, a side gig might be a good opportunity for you because you can set your own schedule. Whichever service you join, remember that good, courteous communication will help you succeed no matter what. Those that work hard and commit to providing great customer experiences tend to earn the most and have the best experiences. It is not easy work, but it can bring in some extra cash for you while you are pursuing your degree or training online.