It is undoubtedly so that high school is a whirlwind of sports practices, ASB rally setups, and homework marathons — which makes finding time for a part-time job unfortunately difficult. Especially with AP testing right around the corner, students who need a little extra cash in their pockets are missing one key thing to get hired: time! Thus, during prom season and eventful summers around the corner, a great way to have some extra money to spend is making your side gigs.
It might seem hard to become your own entrepreneur; however, there is an inner entrepreneur in all of us! So, here are a few ways to make good use of the skills and creativity you have to fit into your busy schedules.
1. Babysitting and Tutoring: the classics
Babysitting and tutoring never go out of style and are great ways to earn money after school or on the weekends when your schedule is free. Especially in Yorba Linda, it seems that parents are always on the lookout for responsible and reliable teenagers to watch and tutor their kids. Natalia Soto (12), a fellow student who has babysat children alongside me a couple of times now, stated, “I took a babysitting certification course online that I was able to add to my resume, which I sent out to different parents of children I wanted to babysit! It’s a small detail, but made all the difference in helping me get those extra babysitting jobs.”
Further, if you are great at different subjects like math, English, science, or different world languages, tutoring could be an amazing choice! Not only is it a great way to stay productive while making money, but it is nice to know you are helping a kid learn things that might be more difficult for them.
2. Gel X Manicures: Nails on a budget
If you’re good at art or simply enjoy learning different beauty techniques, learning how to do Gel X nails could be an awesome way to earn that extra cash you need. Casey Cho (12) always does her own nails at home and shared, “I started to do my nails on my own to save money since manicures are so expensive! It wasn’t hard to learn at all and there are lots of tutorials on TikTok and YouTube to learn.” Although you will need to invest in some supplies and it might take a little practice, I can assure you as a high school student, you will not be short of customers!
3. Poster-making: a party planning necessity
In case you haven’t seen, beautiful poster designs painted over brown paper seem to be the latest trend for dances, grad parties, and other events! All it takes is some paint, brown paper, and nice handwriting and you have yourself everything you need. I have adopted this hustle into my own life and painted brown posters for my own and my friends’ events. Plus, if you are involved in ASB at school, you are likely already a master at this craft!
4. Corsages and Boutonnières: making dances memorable
Prom season is the prime time to get involved in making handmade corsages and boutonnieres, especially with how competitive it can be to get them in the first place. With so many tutorials online on how to make corsages and boutonnieres, these floral accessories are extremely simple to create. If you just get a few basic supplies from a craft store, you can start offering custom pieces that are more affordable and unique than store-bought ones! And, once again, as a high school student you likely already have a long line of customers ready to purchase your product!
For any of these side hustles, word-of-mouth, and social media will be your greatest assets. Don’t be afraid to get yourself started in creating your own business— even if it’s small! Balancing studies and extracurriculars shouldn’t mean you can’t make money, and by turning hobbies into side hustles, you can not only get some extra cash but gain work experience without actually being employed! Good luck, and happy hustling!
