You're three weeks into the semester and your bank balance is $12.06.
Time to get a job - and fast.
One easy way is to search for student jobs on campus. There are all kinds of jobs for students working in faculty offices, student centers and libraries. College towns also offer tons of student jobs, especially in retail, customer service , and restaurants. But beware - don't let your desire for a paycheck drive you to take a job you'll regret. Here are five of the least fun student jobs out there.
#5 worst student job: Computer lab monitor
You're sitting at the desk in the front of the lab, signing people in and trying to get your chemistry homework done, when a biology student panics because her lab report won't open. Then you have to tell the guy in the corner for the tenth time that he isn't allowed to play World of Warcraft here. Then you catch someone downloading pirated movies. Three hours later, your homework's still not done and your student job has earned you $20.55. Before taxes.
#4 worst student job: Late-late-night delivery driver
Just as offices run on coffee, college campuses cannot function without delivered pizza, subs and Chinese food. You would think that hungry students would be eternally grateful to you, the person who brings them a bucket of hot wings at 3 a.m. In reality, the later the delivery run, the more likely you are to: get stiffed on the tip, have fireworks thrown at you or catch a glimpse of a wild party you're not invited to. Working as a delivery driver is a great job for students who want to earn some extra money (and come home with free pizza) - just try to work early evenings instead.
#3 worst student job: Dining hall worker
It's like working in a restaurant, except you don't get any tips. And some students enjoy creating artwork out of mashed potatoes and dirty coffee cups. Enough said.
#2 worst student job: University fundraiser
The official student job title might be "Alumni Relations Specialist," but you're really just a glorified telemarketer. This common student job involves calling university alums and asking them for donations. What they don't tell you is that you'll be yelled at, hung up on and mostly ignored. The pay is typically low - around $7 per hour - but managers promise big commissions for successful calls. People with a knack for selling and a thick skin can succeed in this student job, but it's tough going.
#1 worst student job: Fruit fly sexer
You know the little flies that seem to magically appear when you leave a banana in the fruit bowl too long? They may be a nuisance in the kitchen, but they're a staple for biology professors, who use fruit flies to teach students about genetics.
Someone needs to breed, sort and organize the vials of fruit flies used in the lab, and this student job is not for the squeamish. You spend a lot of time in a fluorescent-lit room that smells like ether (used to put the flies to sleep) and the yellow goop used for fly food. Once the flies are asleep, you dump them onto a sheet of paper and use tweezers to separate the flies by sex or other traits. Oh, and some flies will inevitably escape and buzz around your head. This student job may be good training for biology students - but it's not the best way to spend your Saturday night.
Looking for a better way to make money this semester? We can help. Start your job search by ZIP code to find the best student jobs in your college town. Or ask your college's careers office for advice.
About Amy White