Due to the rising cost of college education, an increasing number of college students are having trouble making ends meet.

One of the best ways to deal with financial problems while in college is to get a part-time job. Other than easing your financial woes, a part-time job can also give you some valuable real-world work experience and a great opportunity to make new friends.

Here are five of the best part-time jobs for college students:

Barista

Coffee shops do not only help college students deal with sleep deprivation; they also provide excellent part-time job opportunities.

If you can get a job as a part-time barista at a Starbucks location, you can expect to earn between $7.50 and $10.00 per hour.

Starbucks also offers a great benefits package to its part-time employees, which include bonuses, paid time off, health and dental coverage, life and disability insurance, vision care and emergency financial aid. In order to be eligible for these benefits, you need to work at least 160 hours over a two-month period.

Whole Foods Employee

Whole Foods is one of Fortune Magazine’s “Top 100 Companies to Work For”, and it offers a wide range of part-time positions. The employees of Whole Foods make an average wage of close to $11.00 per hour.

You can get health insurance and other benefits after you have worked between 400 and 600 hours.

College Library Staff

Another great way to find a part-time job while you are in college is to join your college’s work-study program.

One of the best jobs you can get through the program is a library assistant or worker. Being a member of the library staff allows you to study while you are working and reduce commuting time.

However, most work-study employees make close to minimum wage, which can vary significantly from one state to another.

Computer Store Employee

Keep yourself updated with the latest tech gadgets by working in a computer store. Some computer stores, such as Apple, provide tuition assistance to employees who meet certain requirements.

As an employee of a computer store, you will also get discounts on computers, mobile devices and other gadgets.

Paid Intern

It is not easy to get a paid internship, but you will benefit greatly if you can get accepted for one.

Besides improving your financial situation, a paid internship provides hands-on work experience that is related to your field, boosts your resume and enables you to establish professional contacts that can be useful in the future.

Depending on your college’s requirements, you may also be able to get academic credit for your internship. Paid internships usually pay between $7.00 and $20.00 per hour.

Besides the above-mentioned jobs, there are many other part-time jobs that are suitable for college students. As such, it should not be difficult for you to find a job that suits your needs and schedule. All you need to do is ask around or browse through newspaper and online classified ads.

About The Author:

Today’s guest article comes from John McMalcolm. He is a freelance writer who writes on a wide range of subjects, from employment tips to Internet reputation management services.