College Vidya Abroad Logo
Blog Thumbnail
1K reads5 min read

Part-time opportunities in the USA you should know!

27th May, 2023

Studying in the USA is a thrilling and enriching experience for many students who make their way through. With exemplary colleges and universities, a multifaceted student body, and a wide selection of academic programs, it is no surprise that the USA is among the popular choice of counties to study.

It is home to some of the most esteemed universities and colleges in the world, including Ivy League schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, along with other highly-regarded institutions such as Stanford, MIT, and Caltech. Additionally, American universities and colleges are known for their engaging academic programs and excellent research facilities, providing students with an unparalleled learning experience.

However, because of the high cost of tuition, books, and living expenses, many students are unable to cover their expenses. Part-time opportunities in the USA come as a savior here along with providing you the exposure, and experience, and improving your skill sets.

Additionally, by working part-time with studying, you will be able to develop essential skills such as time management, communication, and teamwork. Moreover, it provides a sense of independence and responsibility, which can be valuable in the long run.

Let us have a quick look at the part-time opportunities in the USA:

part time jobs in the USA

1. On-campus Jobs

Many universities and colleges offer a variety of on-campus jobs, which as the name suggests, are the jobs you can take up without stepping out of your campus. These include working at the library, the campus bookstore, or the student center. Additionally, numerous universities allow students to work part-time only on-campus until at least their first academic year is completed.

These jobs often offer flexible hours and are conveniently located, making them a popular choice for many students. It also lets you interact with students within your university, which makes it easier to make friends with them. Along with earning money, you would also save on the travel expenses that can be incurred for an off-campus job. So on, it’s a win-win situation.

2. Retail Jobs

Retail jobs are undoubtedly popular for students looking for part-time work in the USA. Retail jobs typically involve working in a store or shop, helping customers, and completing sales targets. While it can be fast-paced and physically demanding at times, it's also a social and engaging setting. Retail employees are the first point of contact for customers. Hence they get to interact with diverse people daily. This results in new friendships, connections, and even potential career opportunities.

Places like Target, Walmart, and Starbucks always look for part-time employees, and many offer flexible schedules to accommodate student needs. Aside from flexible scheduling and training opportunities, some retail jobs may provide additional perks, including employee discounts, health insurance, or retirement plans.

3. Food service jobs

Yet another part-time opportunity for you could be in the food service. There are countless opportunities to choose from fast food chains, sit-down restaurants, and catering companies. The food industry is building vast, and chances are overflowing with great benefits.

You must develop strong communication skills, anticipate and fulfill customer needs, and perhaps even deal with demanding customers occasionally. These skills can be valuable in any future career, regardless of whether or not you stay in the food service industry. Additionally, you might get a free or discounted meal as a perk for working at a food service job.

4. Freelancing

Freelancing is an excellent option for students with writing, graphic design, or programming skills. It can be an effective way to earn some extra cash and polish your skills. Websites like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com gives a platform for freelancers that enhances their chances to get a potential client.

The best part is that you get to be your boss and decide how much or how little work you wish to take, the time you invest, or the money you make. It offers the most flexibility among all the other part-time opportunities in the USA. Freelancing has excellent potential for part-time while studying or as a side hustle.

5. Tutoring

Lastly, you can take up tutoring as a part-time opportunity in the USA. You can earn some extra money by teaching your peers or juniors in subjects that you excel at. This part-time job doesn't require you to learn something new; you are using your existing knowledge about the issue and making money from it.

Additionally, this provides extra income, reinforces your knowledge, and helps you develop essential teaching and communication skills. You can take multiple subjects that you would like to teach, and the number of students can go as up as you would like. Of course, while ensuring that your studies or schedule doesn’t get hampered because of it.

These are merely a few of the numerous part-time jobs offered to students in the USA. Students can gain practical experience, hone crucial skills, and make extra cash to help with living expenses by working part-time while in university. So why not consider taking a part-time job while you are a student? It might be what you need to enjoy your time in the United States to the fullest.

FAQs ( Frequently Asked Questions )

Students on F-1 visas can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during breaks, such as summer vacation. However, different universities may have restrictions or guidelines regarding part-time work, so students should check with their school's international student office for more information.

Several resources are available for international students searching for part-time work in the USA. You can check with your university's career center or student employment office. Additionally, you can search for job openings on popular job search websites such as Indeed, Monster, and LinkedIn.

Yes, working part-time in the USA can occasionally lead to full-time opportunities, especially, if you perform well and show that you have a strong work ethic. Some employers might promote part-time workers who have demonstrated their value to the company to full-time positions. 

International students in the USA have several options for part-time such as retail jobs, food service jobs, tutoring, babysitting, and more. However, it's essential to ensure that any job you take on is compliant with your visa restrictions and does not interfere with your academic responsibilities.

Working part-time as a student in the USA can provide valuable opportunities to develop a wide range of skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, and customer service. You might also get the chance to learn technical skills, like how to use point-of-sale systems or how to cook in a restaurant, depending on the kind of job you take on.

Connect with an Expert

Please fill in your personal details


Select a Country
Filter by:
Select a Major

Disclaimer

College Vidya Aboard is an Online Platform that provide the Admission Aspirants unbiased, precise information & comparative guidance on world-class Universities and their Programs of Study. And this is backed by “AI” driven compare feature and Admissions Experts Counselling. We are neither a university nor we work for and on behalf of any university. We or any of our representatives never asks or accepts any fee payment from the student on behalf of any university for admissions or in any manner. The contents of the College vidya abroad site(www.collegevidyaabroad.com), such as Texts, Graphics, Images, Blogs, Videos, University Logos, etc. (collectively, “Content”) are for information purpose only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for in any form on offerings of its Academia Partner/ Country. Infringing on intellectual property or associated rights is not intended or deliberately acted upon. All information on the site and our mobile application is provided in good faith with accuracy and to the best of our knowledge, however, we make nor representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, completeness of any information on the site or our mobile application. Collegevidya & its Fraternity will not be liable for any errors or omissions and damages or losses resultant if any from the usage of its information.



© 2025 CollegeVidya Inc. All Rights Reserved.
HomeASK A.IAskA.I PoweredUniversityBlogsExpertsCounselling