Part-time jobs for students that are not retail or food service?

[malcolmk14]

I have not been working since September because I've been focusing on school, but now that I'm comfortable with my workload and have about 5 weeks off coming up in December, I'm looking to get into some part-time work.

I'm just trying to think outside the box for part-time positions that aren't food service and preferably aren't retail. I don't want to sound like I'm "above" those jobs because I think they are extremely valuable and I've worked many years in both sectors before; I think that I have some unique skills and experience and I want to challenge myself to do something different... but that's difficult when you have the time constraints of a school schedule and can't work a regular 9-5.

Without making it sound like a resume, I have a Communications degree from the U of C and am working on my B.Ed with a focus in secondary Social Studies. I've got strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and a keen attention to detail. It may seem counter-intuitive to claim I am a good problem-solver and then write a post looking for suggestions for finding a part-time job on a message board, but I promise, I am! I'm a very efficient typist, somewhere in the neighborhood of a sustained 90+ words per minute without errors, but I think typist jobs have gone the way of the Dodo.

I'd like to do something that takes advantage of those skills and challenges me, but has the flexibility of a part-time job, and I'm just having trouble figuring out where those opportunities may be.

So of course, I'll turn to trusty CalgaryPuck. Did anyone have an interesting part-time job throughout University that wasn't food service or retail? Anyone have any suggestions for where I should look or what types of things would suit what I'm looking for?

[Freeway]

Hooking?

[calf]

What about becoming a tutor? Typing might not be crucial, but would give you the best of everything you offer, want, and are taking in school.

[icecube]

Any interest in after school programs for kids or working with at risk youth in a non profit org? It would look good on your resume when applying for the teaching job.

[albertGQ]

I would recommend retail or food service.

[Jbo]

Hospitality? Bartender? I made great money as a concierge and a bartender in school.

[Hemi-Cuda]

do you know computers quite well (as in basic troubleshooting)? you could apply to Shaw or Telus as a TSR. i got hired by Shaw in my 4th semester at SAIT and they worked my schedule completely around my school. pay was quite a lot better than retail and it looked good on a resume. if you don't have the technical skills you could apply as a CSR instead

[opendoor]

Do you have job experience working with kids? If not I'd definitely try to get a job doing that because it'll help you become a teacher both in terms of making you a more attractive hiring option as well as honing your skills.

I'm not sure what job market for teachers is in Calgary, but I know in BC there's a pretty big oversupply of secondary Social Studies teachers so some good job experience with youth could set you apart from the competition.

[Sliver]

I was a lifty at COP in university. It was awesome because I got to snowboard everyday. Do you have any hobbies you could pursue while working, kind of like that?

I always thought Malcolm would be an awesome employee after seeing how he QB'd the wannamaker thread. I even offered him a job after that haha.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I was a lifty at COP in university. It was awesome because I got to snowboard everyday. Do you have any hobbies you could pursue while working, kind of like that?

I always thought Malcolm would be an awesome employee after seeing how he QB'd the wannamaker thread. I even offered him a job after that haha.

Why not offer him a part time job with your company?

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Without making it sound like a resume, I have a Communications degree from the U of C and am working on my B.Ed with a focus in secondary Social Studies.

I'd recommend retail or hospitality industry.

[Dion]

Check with the school board and see if they have any part time openings for students who aspire to be a teacher.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Dion

Why not offer him a part time job with your company?

I would love to but I'm fully staffed right now. It's too bad because I'd make sure to give him a broad range of experience to help with his resume.

[Northendzone]

Do you like working with water, if so, then the steam bath a friend of mine goes to is looking for for a locker room guy.....

[malcolmk14]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I was a lifty at COP in university. It was awesome because I got to snowboard everyday. Do you have any hobbies you could pursue while working, kind of like that?

I always thought Malcolm would be an awesome employee after seeing how he QB'd the wannamaker thread. I even offered him a job after that haha.

Yeah, from May to September I work in the pro shop at a golf course, and it is perfect for me because it lets me pursue a hobby, and it's in the summer while I'm not in school! It's even something I can continue doing well into my teaching career. I'm not much of a winter sports guy, my main hobby seems to be food so maybe the food service industry does make a lot of sense for me. I like the suggestions of concierge/hospitality, I think I am going to do some research into that type of position.

Originally Posted by Dion

Check with the school board and see if they have any part time openings for students who aspire to be a teacher.

The board is pretty tight on stuff like that, all of their funding is pretty much allocated to special education and support staff. There are volunteer spots available but I need something that pays the bills till golf season starts up again. I'm already volunteering and coaching basketball at a Jr. High in the Northwest starting early December.

[Sr. Mints]

One of the best things I ever did was contact companies in my field and ask them if I could hang out/shadow/intern. Granted it was only two-three weeks, and I wasn't paid, but I learned a ton and landed a ton job with them when I graduated.

[Cube Inmate]

Potty train my child by January 1.

$7000 if successful. $0 for failure.

[Reneeee]

I worked at a theatre during my schooling (ie. Jubilee Auditorium and Jack Singer Concert Hall). It was excellent experience as I did everything from being a bartender to hosting private parties and even kids and their parents with Kiwanis. The shifts were usually between 3 - 5 hrs in the evenings and on weekends, which was perfect because as a student I wanted to focus on my studies while making some spending money. Also I had the chance to pick my schedule and only had to commit to working 8 times per month which is nothing. Highly recommended.

[polak]

I delivered Pizza back when I was still doing full time school. Best paying part time job I could think of.

I never made less then $20 bucks an hour and 99% of the time I made $100+ in a 4-5 hour shift. Some nights as much as $200.

Every place is different with how they pay their drivers though so look around. Some do it under the table, some will not pay you a base salary and will pay per delivery.

The place I worked paid me an hourly wage plus a small amount per delivery. On top of that you obviously keep all of your tips. It was awesome. Just cruising around all day. Much better then working in a mall and having to deal with customers (people rarely yell at the delivery guy)

[surferguy]

why not try some warehouse work. I find that working in places like that are a heap of fun, rewarding (lots of smalls tasks completed everyday) and gives you the experience of having to gel with the people of different educational backgrounds.

This IMO is a huge asset, if you can figure a person out and talk to their level, whatever it is, it will help you communicate your ideas a hell of a lot better to that specific person. Could be beneficial if you are headed towards a teaching position - usually decent pay as well.