Need a little extra breathing room in your budget—or want experience you can build into a resume line (or even a future career path)? A side hustle can help you boost your income, grow your skills, and move toward long-term financial stability. And the options today go way beyond the “classic” student job. Food service and retail are still solid ways to earn, but there’s now a wider mix of flexible opportunities—including many you can do remotely and outside normal business hours, which can help when you’re balancing classes, studying, and campus life. 

If you’re ready to start, here are practical paths to explore.

“Gig” work: Quick-start, flexible income

If you want something you can start relatively fast, gig work can be a strong fit. Campus and community job boards often feature listings for things like pet sitting, in-person tutoring, or assistant jobs. You can also check with your campus career center or student employment office—many share postings from local businesses and community members. 

If you have reliable transportation, delivery work can be another option—bringing food, groceries, and other items through app-based platforms or local services. The big draw: flexibility, and sometimes higher hourly pay.

Freelance jobs: Build skills while you earn

Freelancing means you’re self-employed and take on projects for different clients, rather than working for one employer. It’s often project-based, so you can choose work that matches your schedule and interests—especially helpful when your availability changes week to week during the semester. 

Common freelance options include:

• Writing or editing: Creating or polishing articles, blog posts, or academic content for websites or local businesses
• Graphic design: Designing logos, marketing materials, or social media graphics
• Social media management: Running social media accounts for small businesses or organizations

You may be able to find freelance work through online platforms, personal networks, or by reaching out directly to businesses in your community—and don’t forget campus connections, too (student organizations, departments, labs, and local alumni groups).

Other work-from-home jobs: Steady tasks, remote-friendly

Looking for something you can do from home with a structured set of responsibilities? Remote roles can offer flexibility for busy schedules, and they often involve consistent, repeatable work.

Examples include:

• Virtual assistant: Supporting scheduling, email management, or data entry for businesses or entrepreneurs
• Customer support representative: Answering phones or responding to online inquiries for companies with remote help lines
• Online tutoring: Helping students with school subjects, standardized test prep, or language learning via video chat or online platforms

Independent online jobs: Earn from anywhere you have internet

These roles are performed online, which can make it easier to work from nearly anywhere with a reliable internet connection. The range is wide—from quick one-time tasks to longer-term side hustles you build over time.

Options include:

• Online surveys, research studies, or product testing: Some companies and researchers pay for opinions or feedback
• Selling products or crafts: Using online marketplaces to sell handmade goods, vintage items, or other products
• Creating digital content: Producing videos, blogs, or podcasts and building a following on platforms that may generate income through ads or sponsorships

Managing your money: Make your side hustle work for you

Because many side hustles don’t come with a regular paycheck, it helps to understand the terms of your work and how your income is paid.

For example:

• If you pet sit occasionally on an as-needed basis, you might have an informal arrangement and be paid in cash.
• If you work with a larger employer or platform, you might be asked to provide bank information for direct deposits or cash outs.
• If digital content creation is your goal, platforms typically explain how income is generated when you sign up.

It’s also smart to stay aware of the tax implications of side-hustle income. Earning over a certain amount each year could require a declaration on your tax return, and depending on the nature of your work, you might receive a 1099-MISC form detailing your pay. 

Even for babysitting or other gig work, if you make more than $400 a year, the IRS may require you to report your income.

If you have tax questions, consider checking with your campus student employment office, a local employment office, or another trusted resource for guidance on forms you might need to complete and how you should report income.

The bottom line

There are more ways than ever to earn extra money—sometimes without leaving home. If you’re considering a side hustle to increase income and gain experience, focus on what fits your schedule, interests, and goals. And as you get started, make sure you understand how you’ll be paid and what your tax obligations may be.

For more financial health tips, chase.com/personal/financial-goals.