With Thanksgiving break a distant memory and finals right around the corner, it’s almost time for winter break. Will you be needing to earn some extra cash over the holidays? Worried that in this economy, you won’t be able to find a job during your semester break? Here are five suggestions that just might do the trick:
1. Retail
Black Friday sales were higher than expected, triggering retailers to hire an extra load of part-time holiday workers. The hours are plentiful and the discounts are usually generous, too. Take a trip to your local mall and put a handful of applications on file. But do it quick — as these jobs are filling up fast.
2. Catering
While some companies have scaled back their holiday parties to cut expenses, the office party is still ubiquitous. Local caterers do their best business from the beginning of December until the end of January, and will likely be looking for extra seasonal help to bulk up their staffs.
3. Volunteering
Technically volunteering isn’t a good way to make money, but it is an outstanding way to make connections while contributing to someone in need. From a few shifts at your local soup kitchen to a full-time volunteer vacation, volunteerism is on the rise among college students. Good for you!
4. Be entrepreneurial.
Now probably isn’t the time to launch a full-scale business, but if you have talents that might be in need this holiday season, you may be in luck. From babysitting and pet-sitting (for people traveling out of town) to DJing (at New Year’s Eve parties) and even snow shoveling, the season presents a number of opportunities for entrepreneurial young people. Spread the word among your friends’ parents — and your parents’ friends. Send out a quick email and put the world of viral marketing to work for you.
5. Apply for Scholarships
Okay, okay, I know applying for scholarships isn’t a job. But you should approach it like it is! After all, winning a scholarship or two this winter break may well pay a lot more than any part-time job you could land. Spend a few hours each week looking for and applying to scholarships that suit your qualifications. For more on finding scholarships, be sure to check out my Scholarship Friday post where I list three scholarships with upcoming deadlines. You may also have luck in finding a scholarship by using a free scholarship search engine.
Have you managed to land a job for your semester break? Share your job hunting tips with our readers!
