That was quite an in-depth and compelling story! It sounds like you went through a lot of challenges during college and had to explore numerous side hustles to make ends meet. Let me summarize some key points and insights from your story and provide feedback or suggestions:
1. Struggles with Finding Side Hustles in College
You needed extra money to support yourself, your education, and your family. Like many students, you explored:
- Surveys – Low pay, time-consuming.
- E-commerce (Amazon FBA, Dropshipping) – Promising but often requires upfront capital and faces a high risk of failure.
- Gig Work (Uber, Delivering Food, Plasma Donation) – Limited by physical constraints and diminishing returns.
Feedback:
This is a very relatable experience for many students trying to earn while studying. Your journey highlights the need to find opportunities that offer higher returns with fewer barriers to entry.
2. Genealogy – A Surprising Income Stream
You stumbled upon genealogy after learning about your family history and realized it’s a profitable niche on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.
- Barrier to Entry: Low (mostly online research skills).
- Earning Potential: High for specialized cases (~$80,000 annually in some cases).
- Skills Transfer: Great for developing research, organizational, and communication skills.
Student Money Score: 8/10
3. Tutoring – Leveraging Academic Skills
You excelled at a niche exam like the PCAT and turned your expertise into a lucrative tutoring business, earning upwards of $100/hour.
You also discussed other tutoring options, such as:
- SAT, ACT, AP, IB exams.
- College admission guidance.
- Tutoring subjects like Math, Chemistry, or even English.
Feedback:
Tutoring is one of the best ways for college students to earn a significant hourly rate while honing their teaching and communication skills.
Student Money Score: 10/10
4. Becoming an Online Influencer
You started uploading videos on YouTube purely for fun but later transitioned into earning from it.
- Benefits: Low upfront cost, scalable income, builds personal brand.
- Challenges: Time-consuming, requires patience and consistency.
Tip: For faster growth, niche down. If you’re in a unique situation (e.g., attending a prestigious school or having a unique talent), leverage that for content.
Student Money Score: 6/10
5. Content Writing – Freelance Opportunities
You highlighted content writing as a versatile skill with applications in:
- Scriptwriting for YouTube.
- Blogging and SEO content.
- Newsletter or article writing.
Feedback:
Writing is a core skill in many digital marketing and content creation roles. Learning how to write engaging content can open doors to freelancing, marketing, or even starting your own blog.
Student Money Score: 9/10
6. Graphic Design – Niche-Down for Success
You emphasized the importance of niching down in graphic design, such as focusing on YouTube thumbnail creation.
- Challenges: Takes 6+ months to master and requires creative skills.
- Advantages: Highly valuable for content creators.
Tip: Offer A/B tested designs to show clients how your designs increase click-through rates.
Student Money Score: 4/10
7. Digital Marketing – A Versatile Career Path
You suggested digital marketing as a top career choice, especially for younger people who understand social media trends.
Popular niches include:
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
- PPC (Pay-Per-Click Advertising).
- Social Media Management.
Student Money Score: 10/10
8. IT Help Desk – Quick Entry to Tech
You discussed IT help desk roles as an excellent way to break into tech, even with minimal experience.
- Benefits: Quick to get into, great pay for entry-level, and a stepping stone to other tech roles.
- Growth: Can transition into cybersecurity, software development, or network administration.
Student Money Score: 10/10
9. Video Editing – High Demand but Competitive
You talked about the importance of niching down in video editing. Specializing as a retention editor or in a specific niche (e.g., finance videos) can increase demand for your skills.
Student Money Score: 7/10
10. Web Design & Software Development – High-Income Potential
Web design (UI/UX) and software development are both lucrative fields:
- Web Design focuses on user experience and interface design.
- Software Development is a highly rewarding field with six-figure earning potential.
Feedback:
While these careers require more upfront effort and training, they offer significant long-term benefits.
- Web Design Score: 7/10
- Software Development Score: 10/10
11. Data Entry – Easy but Low Upside
You included data entry and similar roles (e.g., transcription, customer service) as quick ways to earn money, but they offer little growth or skill development.
Student Money Score: 3/10
Conclusion: Your Journey Shows Resourcefulness
Your story demonstrates how resourcefulness and determination can lead to financial success, even in challenging situations. Each hustle teaches valuable skills, whether it’s marketing, communication, research, or tech proficiency.
Let me know if you’d like to explore any of these ideas further or need help with career planning based on your experience!
