9 Winter Break Jobs for College Students

By
portrait of Staff Writers
Staff Writers
Read Full Bio

Writer

The staff writers for BestColleges collaborate to deliver unique, student-driven content on topics such as career development, college life, and college planning....
Updated on December 6, 2021
Learn more about our editorial process

www.bestcolleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Turn Your Dreams Into Reality

Take our quiz and we'll do the homework for you! Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today.


  • Expenses like eating out can add up quickly for college students, who may need extra cash.
  • The best winter break jobs for college students provide short-term, flexible work.
  • Seasonal retail work, house sitting, and rideshare driving may be good options for students.

Many students spend far more money than they expect to during their first semester in college. For example, due to stress and social pressures, students may spend thousands of dollars per year eating out. This can lead them to need some extra cash when they head back to school after the holidays.

It might seem hard to find work at first, since college students who are only home a few weeks need short-term, flexible jobs. Nevertheless, there are several options out there if you look in the right places.

Read on to learn more about nine winter seasonal jobs for college students.

1. Holiday Retail Worker

College students can often find seasonal employment during winter break at holiday-themed retail locations. You may be able to move trees in a Christmas tree lot, work at a wreath stand or gift kiosk, or find a job at a place of worship or nonprofit organization that's holding seasonal events.

Since these jobs are designed for temporary workers, they are perfect for college students who are only home for a few weeks.

2. Gift Wrapper

Gift wrapping services have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. If you're crafty, handy, or artsy, you may be able to find work as a gift wrapper at a department, floral, or retail store. While you don't need formal training, you may want to take an online course or watch a few videos to make sure you enjoy gift wrapping.

3. Snow Remover

If you live in an area that receives a lot of snow, your neighbors may pay you to shovel the snow out of their driveways. In most cases, you can charge a flat rate for the service as opposed to an hourly rate. Shoveling snow can also keep you active and out in the fresh air, which many college students seek during their break from school.

To advertise your services, you can put up flyers or go door to door in your neighborhood. You can also ask friends and family if they know anyone who might want their driveway or sidewalk cleared.

4. Babysitter

Babysitting is a common job for college students home from the holidays. Many adults, especially young parents, may have holiday engagements they want to attend. As such, they need someone they trust to watch their kids.

Ask around with family and friends to see if anyone in their network needs babysitters. You may be able to find a lot of babysitting work if you know where to look.

5. Pet and/or House Sitter

If you love animals, pet sitting might be a great fit for you. Many people travel to visit family over the holidays. Sometimes, they can't bring their pets because of family allergies or living situations. Additionally, whether or not they have pets, people often need someone to check on their house to make sure everything is fine.

Ask your friends and family to see who is leaving town for the holidays. They may need your pet or house sitting services.

6. Resort Worker

Resorts are usually booked full during the holidays. These businesses may need extra part-time workers to manage the increased volume of guests. If you live in a place with a lot of tourist attractions and things to see, this may be a particularly viable option.

Check with hotels and resorts in your hometown to see if they're hiring temporary workers.

7. Hostess or Server

Restaurant and cafe managers are constantly shifting workers around, figuring out how to make the most of part-time schedules. You may be able to work a few shifts at your local coffee shop or bistro. Especially if you've worked at a restaurant in the past, you may be able to find temporary work over the holidays.

8. Rideshare Driver

Driving for Uber or Lyft may be a good fit for some college students. These positions provide plenty of flexibility, as you only need to drive when you're free. Furthermore, around the holidays, you may be able to take advantage of surge pricing at crowded locations or after events.

Keep in mind that in addition to a valid driver's license, most rideshare companies require at least three years of driving experience. As such, first-year students may not qualify for these positions.

9. Valet Driver

If you live in a bigger city or community, you may be able to find work valet parking during big events downtown. You also may be able to find more frequent work at restaurants or shopping malls that offer valet parking to customers.

Keep in mind that you must usually commit to working nights and evenings to find a job as a valet driver.


Featured Image: ljubaphoto / E+ / Getty Images

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Compare Your School Options

View the most relevant schools for your interests and compare them by tuition, programs, acceptance rate, and other factors important to finding your college home.