Summer break is ideal for college students to earn extra cash and build experience without committing to a full-time role. If you’re looking to work from home or pick up a local gig, you can find short-term, flexible, and remote opportunities in 2025.
This list includes both remote and location-based best jobs for college students that offer flexibility, freedom, and a head start on gaining real-world experience.
1. Remote content writer or editor
If you enjoy writing or editing, you can find remote summer gigs for people in content writing or editing. This job is a solid pick for those with decent grammar and an interest in writing, editing, or storytelling.
You’ll need a portfolio to begin. Start by writing sample blog posts in Google Docs or publishing short pieces on Medium. Most entry-level gigs care more about clarity and consistency than formal credentials like a bachelor’s degree or previous experience.
Tailor your writing samples to the jobs you want. For example, if you’re applying to write about tech, write a sample blog post on a trending app or tool.
Platforms like ProBlogger and FlexJobs regularly list beginner-friendly writing and editing roles, including blog writing, proofreading, product descriptions, and newsletter editing. You can choose your own hours, but contracts might include some in-person calls with your clients.
You’ll get paid to write for an hourly rate or per project – check the gig description for specifics. Expect to earn from $11 per hour in the US.
2. Virtual assistant for small businesses
If you're organized, responsive, and good at juggling tasks, consider becoming a virtual assistant. Startups and solo entrepreneurs are looking for help with scheduling, email inboxes, social media replies, data entry, and research. Virtual assistant roles have flexible hours, so it’s ideal for people looking for a part-time job during the summer.
The barrier to entry is low, and you don’t need prior experience to start. However, you need to have solid communication skills and the ability to follow instructions. Some businesses are willing to train you if you're reliable and have some knowledge of organizing to become a virtual assistant.
Popular platforms like Upwork and Belay offer various virtual assistant opportunities for both temporary and long-term positions. To stand out, come up with a simple one-page resume highlighting any admin, tech, or organizational experience, even school-related. You can earn about $27 per hour once you have some experience.
When starting out, offer to take on a trial task or keep track of someone's inbox for a week. It’s a low-risk way for clients to test your abilities. Also, build up reviews and experience for a future career in an assistant or organizational role.
3. Online tutor for school or test prep
If you’re good at school subjects, you can become an online tutor for your peers. Tutoring is one of the most flexible and high-paying jobs available to young people, especially during summer when you catch up or prep for next year.
Popular subjects during summer include:
Math and science (all levels)
English and writing
SAT/ACT test prep
Coding and computer science
Foreign languages
Websites like Wyzant, Preply, and Tutor.com let you set your time and rates. You don’t need a teaching certificate or a university degree. However, you must have subject expertise and a clear way of explaining concepts. Tutor via video chat to provide your services to a large community.
To land your first gig, keep your rates competitive and mention any teaching, mentoring, or academic support you’ve done, even helping classmates or siblings. Additionally, this gig can carry over to September as your peers need continuous help with schoolwork.
If you have a passion for a school subject, tutoring can be a hobby that makes money and enriches your free time.
4. Freelance graphic design or Canva projects
Take freelance graphic design projects if you want to utilize and improve your art while earning money. With tools like Canva, you can offer creative work without formal training. Create visually appealing presentations, flyers, or Instagram posts and start selling quick-turnaround design work full-time.
You’ll find entry-level design gigs on platforms like:
Companies hire designers for social media graphics, birthday invitations, event posters, and business cards. You can earn from $23 per hour or charge your clients per project.
To get started, add mock-up designs to your Fiverr or Behance portfolio. Keep your prices reasonable at first and deliver quickly with great communication.
Design projects are a great fit for those with a busy summer schedule, and the experience can even lead to bigger freelance clients or full-time positions down the road.
5. Get paid for completing microtasks and online gigs
If you want a zero-commitment gig, you can start today with no interviews or resumes, doing microtasking. These are short, simple online tasks that pay you per completion. They include categorizing images, filling out surveys, or reviewing short pieces of content.
Microtasking is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to earn online that requires no professional experience. However, make sure to choose a reliable, legitimate platform and explore microtasks to see what type of work fits your lifestyle.
Notably, JumpTask is a popular microtask platform with thousands of positive reviews. It lets you earn money for completing small gigs directly from your phone or laptop. Tasks can take as little as a minute, making it easy to earn while commuting, watching TV, or taking a study break.
There’s no long-term commitment, and you can pick it up anytime during the summer. Income varies from $1 to about $80 per task, but consistency pays off, and many users start earning within their first day.
Quick tasks for quick cash
With JumpTask, complete microtasks like surveys and app tests whenever you have a free moment this summer.
6. Social media manager for local brands or creators
You can become a social media manager for small companies and content creators to help with content creation, posting, or engaging with followers. This side gig is fun and flexible for teens or high schoolers, especially over the summer when online traffic spikes.
Agencies might have open roles for summer internships, but they’re often on-site positions. If you prefer to have a flexible schedule and minimal in-person contact, do freelance work or pick up remote contract roles.
Freelance social media gigs can include:
Managing Instagram accounts for local cafes
Creating weekly Reels for travel influencers
Writing captions and scheduling posts
Responding to comments and DMs
You don’t need professional experience to get started, just a basic understanding of how social platforms work, along with some content ideas. When reaching out to potential clients, pitch 2–3 post ideas they could use right away to market your services.
Platforms like Upwork or simply networking through local Facebook groups can help you find opportunities. You can also approach businesses directly, especially ones with outdated or inactive profiles.
7. Remote customer service or live chat agent
Many companies experience a surge in customer support needs during the summer and hire contractors to help. So, for people with a calm tone, fast typing skills, and a good Wi-Fi connection, working as a remote customer service or live chat agent can be a solid summer gig.
Common responsibilities include:
Answering questions via chat or email
Guiding users through purchases or onboarding
Troubleshooting common product issues
You don’t need to be a tech whiz, just someone who can communicate clearly and follow support scripts. Training is often provided, and shifts can be as short as 4 hours.
Some positions pay per task or per hour, usually in the $12–$18/hour range. It’s a dependable way to earn money, especially if you like solving problems and staying organized.
8. Sell digital products or services online
Selling digital products can be a flexible and profitable summer gig with the potential to become an income stream off-season. Once you come up with something, like a downloadable planner, printable art, or resume template, you can sell it over and over again without any restocking or shipping.
The best part is you don’t need to be an expert or invest a lot of money to get started. You should begin with an easy-to-execute idea like:
Budget trackers or meal planners
Customizable Instagram templates
Study guides or editable syllabi
Digital stickers or coloring pages
Afterwards, make it on Canva and list it on platforms like Gumroad and Etsy to sell products. Canva makes it easy to design products, even if you’ve never touched design software before, and Etsy is a fun and easy-to-use platform for merchants.
9. Remote transcription or captioning jobs
If you’re a fast typist and have an eye for detail, transcription might be the summer gig for you. It involves converting audio or video into written text and is perfect for people who like quiet, focused work.
As a beginner, you don’t need prior experience, but a short grammar or typing test is typically required during sign-up. Also, choose a trusted beginner-friendly platform like:
You can also look for captioning work, which includes syncing subtitles to videos. This type of gig is accessible to beginners who want to work with popular YouTubers and online educators.
Time expectations vary. A 10-minute audio file might take 30–45 minutes to transcribe when you're starting out. However, you’ll take less time once you have some experience. Rates usually average $23 per hour, so you can get decent pay over the summer.
10. Paid internships with remote flexibility
Companies are offering paid summer internships that are fully remote and open to underclassmen. These roles are designed to give young people a taste of a career without sacrificing their summer freedom. You can develop crucial skills, understand if a certain career is suitable for you, and get paid for it.
You'll find paid opportunities in areas like:
Marketing and social media
Data entry or analysis
Graphic design
Software development
HR or recruiting
Search on LinkedIn using filters like “remote,” “internship,” and “part-time.” Also, check job boards focused on student opportunities, as some schools even post exclusive listings.
Many opportunities now require little to no experience and offer training, mentorship, and a real resume boost for the next semester’s career fair. It’s a fun and rewarding experience, especially if you join a high-performing team.
Side hustle without the hassle
Earn from surveys, content reviews, and small tasks on JumpTask whenever it works for you.
FAQs
Some of the best remote jobs include content writing, virtual assistant work, tutoring, microtasking on platforms like JumpTask, and freelance graphic design during the summer. These roles offer flexibility, low entry barriers, and opportunities to build real experience.
Yes. Platforms like JumpTask, Fiverr, and Upwork offer beginner-friendly tasks that require no prior experience. Gigs like microtasking, transcription, and entry-level design work are all accessible to people starting from scratch during the summer.
Earnings vary, especially during the summer. Microtasks may bring in $5–$15/day with minimal effort, while freelance writing or tutoring can reach $20–$40/hour. Internships or remote assistant roles might offer $15–$25/hour, depending on experience and time invested.
Try microtasking on JumpTask, transcription work, virtual assistant gigs, or freelance design on Fiverr. These allow you to work when you want, with no fixed shifts or long-term commitments.
Gabriele Zundaite
Digital Marketing Manager
Meet Gabriele, a marketing specialist focused on digital growth and social media. As a Digital Marketing Manager at JumpTask, she helps others discover new ways to earn online by turning creative ideas into real results. With a degree in Marketing Management and a background in growth marketing and community building, Gabriele shares clear, practical advice for anyone ready to start earning or grow their online presence.
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IN THIS ARTICLE
1. Remote content writer or editor
2. Virtual assistant for small businesses
3. Online tutor for school or test prep
4. Freelance graphic design or Canva projects
5. Get paid for completing microtasks and online gigs
6. Social media manager for local brands or creators
7. Remote customer service or live chat agent
8. Sell digital products or services online
9. Remote transcription or captioning jobs
10. Paid internships with remote flexibility
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