We all know that searching for a job with no experience can be discouraging, especially when you’re still studying.
Being a Master’s student, however, often comes with a more flexible schedule, which means you can balance work and study without falling behind.
Here are some key takeaways before we dive in:
- Choose roles that match your strengths. If you’re studying Languages, try becoming an Online Tutor. If you’re a Software Engineering student, consider a Game Tester job, since your software knowledge can help you spot bugs more easily.
- Many online jobs help you build transferable skills that look great on your CV. As an App Tester, you’ll sharpen your problem-solving skills. As a Customer Service Agent, you’ll develop empathy.
- Always use reputable platforms to make sure your efforts are rewarded with fair compensation.
- Protect your time by prioritizing rest. Hydrate, eat, and get enough sleep to avoid burnout.
Let’s explore more.
An overview of our top picks for online jobs you can do with no experience
Online jobs with no experience only need a laptop and internet, so you can work from anywhere. If you’d rather keep things closer to your campus, there are also plenty of flexible roles you can try from the comfort of your dorm, from tutoring to creative remote gigs students do worldwide.
We’ve picked eleven online jobs that you can do remotely without prior experience, as long as you have a laptop and a good internet connection.
When choosing them, we considered how your academic background can make you a strong candidate, and how much time you can dedicate to work without compromising your studies.
Online job | Platforms | Earnings | Best for students studying | Skills you’ll improve |
Online Tutor | Preply, italki, Tutors.com | $15-70/hour | Languages, English Literature, French, Education | communication, patience, empathy, adaptability |
Proofreader | Fiverr, Upwork, proofreadingservices.com | from $15/hour | English Literature, Journalism, Translation Studies | attention to detail |
Translator | rev.com, Gengo, Upwork | $15-30/hour | Translation and Interpreting, English Literature, Journalism and Media Communication | attention to detail listening, communication |
Content Writer | Upwork, Fiverr, freelancer.com | from $15/hour | Creative Writing, Journalism and Media Communication, Public Relations | research, ability to write on a wide range of topics |
Game and apps Tester | freecash.com, usertesting.com | starting from $15/project | Software Engineering, Game Design, User Experience Design | attention to detail, problem-solving |
Online surveys | Valued Opinion, Branded Surveys | starting from $8 per survey | A good match for every student | understanding market research and customer segmentation |
Virtual Assistant | Upwork, Indeed, Fiverr | $5-20/hour | Project Management, Marketing, Business Administration | Project and time management, communication |
Data Entry Assistant | Clickworker, Amazon MTurk, Microworkers | $10-20/hour | Data Analytics, IT, Statistics and Data Science | attention to detail |
Customer service or chat agent | NoGigiddy, Arise, ModSquad | $15-18/hour | Marketing, Communication Studies, Sociology | written and verbal communication, problem-solving |
Junior Graphic Designer | Upwork, Fiverr, freelancer.com | $15-20/hour | Graphic Design, Visual Arts | attention to detail, problem-solving |
User-Generated Content Creator | Upwork, heygen.com | starting from $10/project | Journalism and Media Communication, Public Relations | creativity video editing |
Please note: rates are estimates and can vary by location or project. For example, some content writing jobs might pay per word or per article, not necessarily per hour.
1. Online tutor
A good match if you’re already studying Languages, English Literature, French, Education.
Online tutoring allows you to assist students who need extra support, whether it’s to prepare for an exam, understand complex topics, or boost their language skills.
It’s a good opportunity to teach something you’ve mastered and help someone prepare for university exams or language certificates.
- Platforms to try: Preply, italki, Tutors.com
- Earnings: $15-70 per hour
- Pro: flexible work schedule
- Con: the volume of prep work (you might need extra time to prepare the materials you need for the tutoring)
- Skills you’ll improve:
- communication (explaining complex ideas in a simple way)
- patience, empathy, and the ability to work with different personalities
2. Proofreader
A good match if you have an eye for details or you’re already studying English Literature, Journalism, Translation Studies.
Proofreading means carefully checking the grammar, spelling, formatting, word choice, sentence structure, style, and consistency of a text.
If you speak more than one language, you’ll have a wider range of topics you might cover. Proofreading is needed in many types of projects, including academic papers, e-commerce product descriptions, and manuscripts.
- Platforms to try: Fiverr, Upwork, proofreadingservices.com
- Earnings: starting from $15/hour
- Pro: in-demand skill (you have a competitive edge over AI if you fully understand language nuances)
- Con: the pressure of short deadlines
- Skills you’ll improve:
- grammar, attention to detail
3. Translator
A good match if you’re already studying Translation and Interpreting, English Literature, Journalism and Media Communication.
As a translator, you’ll be responsible for translating written or audio content.
Depending on the project, you could translate social media posts, product descriptions for websites, or convert audio files to text, such as recorded interviews, podcasts, or focus group discussions.
- Platforms to try: rev.com, Gengo, Upwork
- Earnings: $15-30 per hour
- Pro: flexibility and autonomy
- Con: high competition (including from machine translation tools)
- Skills you’ll improve:
- attention to detail
- listening and communication
4. Content Writer
A good match if you’re already studying Creative Writing, Journalism and Media Communication, Public Relations.
As a Content Writer, you’ll develop content for social media posts, blog articles, websites, and other formats. You’ll need a keen eye for detail, strong grammar, and punctuation skills.
If you’re passionate about writing, you could also start a blog about topics you care about. Grow an audience and join affiliate programs. While it might bring you small amounts of money initially, in the long term, it could transform into an income stream and serve as a portfolio for future writing jobs.
- Platforms to try: Upwork, Fiverr, freelancer.com
- Earnings: starting from $15/hour
- Pro: building up your writing portfolio
- Con: strong competition
- Skills you’ll improve:
- research and writing
- ability to write on a wide range of topics
5. Game and apps tester
A good match if you’re already studying Software Engineering, Game Design, User Experience Design.
As an online tester for games or apps, you’ll test new software, websites, or applications before they are released to the public and provide feedback.
You’ll check for any bugs or errors and report them to make sure everything works before launch.
- Platforms to try: freecash.com, usertesting.com
- Earnings: starting from $15/project
- Pro: exclusivity before launch and free access to new games
- Con: repetitive tasks
- Skills you’ll improve:
- attention to detail
- problem-solving
6. Online surveys
A good match for every student
Another way to make money online is by completing paid surveys. You match the company’s targeted audience and provide your opinions on different topics, helping them better understand their market.
- Platforms to try: Valued Opinion, Branded Surveys
- Earnings: starting from $8 per survey
- Pro: you don’t need specific skills; plus, you get to test new products firsthand
- Con: some survey sites may be scams or offer very low payouts
- Skills you’ll improve:
- understanding market research and customer segmentation
7. Virtual Assistant
A good match if you’re already studying Project Management, Marketing, Business Administration.
A virtual assistant completes administrative tasks which vary depending on your skills.
Responsibilities include: managing emails, making phone calls, organizing travel arrangements, or ensuring deadlines are met. Some tasks might involve social media or blog writing.
- Platforms to try: Upwork, Indeed, Fiverr
- Earnings: $5-20 per hour
- Pro: flexibility
- Con: unpredictable workload
- Skills you’ll improve:
- project and time management
- communication
8. Data entry assistant
A good match if you’re already studying Data Analytics, IT, Statistics and Data Science.
A data entry assistant will gather and arrange data. Responsibilities might include transferring information from spreadsheets or printed documents into digital systems, sorting, classifying, and cataloging data with suitable tags.
- Platforms to try: Clickworker, Amazon MTurk, Microworkers
- Earnings: $10-20 per hour
- Pro: in-demand job across various industries
- Con: monotonous and repetitive tasks
- Skills you’ll improve:
- Attention to detail
9. Customer service or online chat agent
A good match if you’re already studying Marketing, Communication Studies, Sociology.
If you like helping people, a customer service job is a good opportunity to provide solutions and support. You’ll respond to client inquiries via phone, email, or chat, assisting them in resolving problems quickly and professionally.
- Platforms to try: NoGigiddy, Arise, ModSquad
- Earnings: $15-18 per hour
- Pro: improving communication skills
- Con: might be challenging if you’re shy
- Skills you’ll improve:
- written and verbal communication
- problem-solving
10. Junior Graphic Designer
A good match if you’re already studying Graphic DesignVisual Arts.
If you’re familiar with Photoshop or Illustrator, you can start designing social media posts, flyers, or other visuals for brands.
It is a great way to gain experience and build your portfolio while earning money.
- Platforms to try: Upwork, Fiverr, freelancer.com
- Earnings: $15-20
- Pro: possibility to explore different industries
- Con: competitive landscape and demanding clients
- Skills you’ll improve:
- attention to detail
- problem-solving
11. User-generated content creator
A good match if you’re already studying Journalism and Media Communication, Public Relations.
If you’re comfortable on camera, creating video content for companies’ social media or ads can be fun and rewarding.
You can also start posting about your passions on your favorite social media channels. Being consistent will get you results in the long term.
- Platforms to try: Upwork, heygen.com
- Earnings: starting from $10/project
- Pro: input in the content creation process
- Con: might be time-consuming
- Skills you’ll improve:
- creativity
- video editing
Productivity hacks for balancing studies and online work
Now that you know the opportunities available, let’s discuss how to balance these online jobs with your studies to avoid being burned out.
Earning some money can help in the short term, but your studies should remain your top priority.
To better balance your studies and online work, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Use calendar blocks to allocate specific hours for studying and attending courses, and other blocks for your online job
- Switch your environment from your room to the library to have separate spaces for learning and working (it will boost your focus)
- Take regular breaks - your mind needs pauses to stay productive
- Follow the trifecta: hydrate, eat, and get enough sleep
How to spot scam job postings
Be careful when applying for online jobs, as many scams target students with little or no experience. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Keep these red flags in mind before investing your time:
- Companies require payment from you (legitimate employers will never request this)
- Vague and unrealistic job descriptions
- Communication only through apps like WhatsApp or Telegram
- Always research the company, check LinkedIn profiles, and verify contact information before applying.
Wrapping up
Everyone starts with no experience, so don’t get discouraged.
Hard work always beats talent, and the best part is that you’ll improve your skills, which you can transfer to future jobs. As long as you keep an open mind, there will always be plenty to learn. Manage your time wisely and don’t take on more than you can handle.
Good luck!
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