Four Student Jobs for Business Majors

Student job seekers can get a head start in business

If you’re looking for a student job while working toward your business degree, don’t settle for the first dining hall tray-scraping job you find. It might surprise you, but a part-time student job can help lay the groundwork for your future. With a little research and some targeted job searching, you can make sure that your student job not only makes you money now but will help you get the experience you need for after graduation. Here are some student job best bets for business majors.

Administrative jobs

A great student job for the business-savvy college student is as an administrative assistant. Depending on where you work, you may be responsible for everything from answering phones to planning business trips. While you may not be making important business decisions just yet, you will be getting some valuable first-hand experience about budgeting, organization and communication. You’ll have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of corporate life on a day-to-day level – something most students won’t get until after graduation. Do this student job well and the payoff will be real-world knowledge that will help you out in school. Plus, you’ll be making some great contacts who are already established in the business world.

Search administrative and office jobs for students. 

Customer service jobs

Another good part-time student job for business majors is in the customer service field. You’ll be the frontline face of the company you work for, helping people solve problems in a variety of situations. Customer service representatives must be cool under pressure, very patient, and must genuinely like working with people. Hearing about problems and issues firsthand from customers will make you a more sympathetic businessperson. It will also help you to think critically about how to make any company you work for more customer friendly. You’ll find customer service student job opportunities in offices, call centers and stores.

Restaurant jobs

A restaurant job is also a great pick for a student job. It’s a lot like customer service – you need to be courteous, friendly, and good with people. Restaurant jobs also teach you how to be a successful salesperson. Ask a veteran server to teach you the secrets of getting bigger tips!
This student job has lots of opportunities – if you know where to look for them. Remember, the owner of the restaurant you work for is a small-business owner with with a wealth of entrepreneurial knowledge. The managers will likely have years of experience working with spreadsheets, dealing with money, and managing employees. Let your boss know you have a knack for numbers and you might be able to take on some of the restaurant’s budgeting and planning responsibilities.

Search restaurant jobs for students. 

Retail jobs

Retail offers student jobs that will help you get great firsthand business experience. You’ll learn all about sales, marketing and branding while getting an insider’s look at the behind-the-scenes operations of a major company. Pay close attention to how and why items are sold in the store. Ask questions of your managers – remember, this is a learning experience. An enterprising business student can work his or her way up from cashier to manager, getting real-world experience that will come in handy when it comes time to get a full-time job after graduation. Not only will you learn a lot about the retail world, you’ll get a great employee discount!