3 Ways Students Can Make Some Extra Cash

3 Ways Students Can Make Some Extra Cash
College students don't have the biggest budgets, and often find themselves in need of a little extra cash. Things come up, like car repairs, extra expensive textbooks and high cell phone bills. When this happens, you may need to earn some extra money on the double. Here are a few ways you can make that happen.

Sell Some Stuff
It sounds crazy, but you may actually be able to make a few bucks by cleaning out your closet. If you have things like old textbooks, CDs that you don't want anymore or old exercise equipment lying around, turn them into money. Take some pictures of your things and post them on a classifieds website and see if you can't make some money from your junk.

Pick Up Extra Hours
If you are already working an hourly job, see if your boss can give you a few extra hours. Sometimes you can increase your workload just by asking. If that doesn't work, see if you can pick up shifts from coworkers who need some time off.

Be an Entrepreneur
I know, you probably don't have the time to start an entire business, but you may have the time to start something small. Try advertising some type of service like dog walking, music lessons or yard work. If you have good rates and can get the word out about what you do, you may be surprised at just how much money you can make this way.

Use Your Talents
If you're particular good at something like painting, photography, sewing or woodworking, sell your work. There are entire websites dedicated to people selling their handcrafts, but you can also just spread the word on your own. This is a great, and often enjoyable, way to make a few extra dollars each month.

Donate Blood or Plasma
It sounds ridiculous, but many students earn lots of spending by donating blood or plasma. In many places, you can earn up to $25 a visit. And, some donation centers increase the amount they pay you depending on how many times you have donated. This is a good way to earn some gas money and actually make a difference.

Become a Temp Worker
If you really need some cash, why not work as a temporary employee? Most cities have a few temp agencies that work to help people find short-term work. This is perfect for times like summer holidays or when you can't seem to make ends meet.


Jill Hardy writes for UniversitiesOnline.net, a website that is geared toward helping students find all kinds of online programs, from criminal justice to nursing programs.

Social Networking and your Career: More Connected than You'd Think

Social Networking and your Career: More Connected than You’d Think
Social networking may have started as a fun way to connect with friends, but it is now a big factor in the professional world. Today reputable companies use Facebook and Twitter as a way to connect with their customers. What you may not know is they also reference social sites when hiring and often use them to monitor their employees. In this social media day-and-age, we’re living transparent lives.

Facebook and Finding a Job
More companies are reviewing Facebook profiles when considering candidates. Several factors could turn employers off, such as crude language, unsavory photos or excessive displays of drinking or partying. While you may already be taking steps to ensure your page is clean, what happens when you google your name? What are other people posting of you on their pages?

Some companies also review candidates’ social networking in a different way. For positions that require an amount of credibility or exposure, like professional blogging, companies often look for individuals with a strong social network. This means they want to see an active Facebook, a popular Twitter account and a professional LinkedIn profile. For an extra competitive edge, it can be profitable to foot the website cost to create your own domain in order to advertise yourself. And, don’t forget to make your web design mobile to maximize your impact.

Could Facebook Get You Fired?
Employers expect their employees to represent their company well in person and on the internet. Just as you might not get a job based on your Facebook profile, you could also get fired for inappropriate posts.
The most common reason people lose their jobs is posting negatively about their employer. While you may simply be expressing your frustration with a long day of work, posts that represent your company in a negative light could cost you your job.

If you must complain about work, keep specifics to a minimum. You should never post about how your boss is a jerk, the company policies are stupid, etc.

How to Use Social Networking to Your Advantage
Don’t be discouraged; the effects of social networking are not always negative. You can use your social network to your advantage in finding work and representing yourself well within your company.

To do this, try to keep posts positive and drama free. Add coworkers from your current job and previous jobs to build a strong professional network. Always keep your Facebook up-to-date with your work and educational background. Also, post pictures of company outings, volunteer work and any other community involvement to show you are professional and well-rounded.

If you are careful about what you post online, there is no reason social networking sites should harm your career. However, careless online sharing could leave you unemployed with a bad professional reputation.


Guest Author Byline:  This post brought to you by guest blogger Carl Glasmyre who enjoys blogging about anything Internet-related, from what your Facebook page can do for your job search to how your company’s website cost can be better managed.