Her Campus UConn
12 SUMMER SIDE HUSTLES TO TRY, BASED ON YOUR MAJOR
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As a recent college graduate, I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of time researching side hustles. Not because I’m trying to become the next millionaire entrepreneur, but because I want to have a fun summer without watching my bank account drain every time I say yes to plans. Concert tickets aren’t getting any cheaper, weekend trips somehow add up faster than expected, and I’d personally like to enjoy a sweet treat every once in a while without feeling financially irresponsible.
The problem is that most side hustle advice online feels wildly unrealistic. No, I don’t want to wake up at 5 a.m. to trade stocks before work. And no, I’m not trying to launch a six-figure business from my laptop this summer. I just want a flexible way to make some extra money while still having time to enjoy being young.
After falling down more side-hustle rabbit holes than I’d like to admit, I’ve realized that your college major can actually be a great place to start. Chances are, you’re already sitting on skills that could help you earn extra cash this summer. So if you’re looking for a side hustle that makes sense for your interests, here are 12 summer side hustles to try based on your major.
Education – Tutoring
Tutoring is one of the easiest ways education majors can put their teaching skills to work in the real world. It allows students to gain hands-on experiences in adapting lesson plans and figuring out how students learn beyond the classroom. Finding students can be as easy as posting in your local Facebook group or putting up flyers at your local library or community center.
Supply Chain Management – Food Delivery Service
When you really think about it, supply chain management and food delivery services have a lot more in common than you think. You’re learning how logistics actually work, all while getting paid to move products (aka food) from Point A to a very hungry Point B. You can sign up for apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub and start picking up shifts whenever you want, making it one of the most flexible ways to build experience and earn money at the same time.
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Fashion Design – Bundle ReSelling
If you’re a fashion design major, selling clothing and accessory bundles is basically getting paid to style outfits the way you already do in your head. It’s a great way to build your eye for styling, pricing, and trends without needing anything fancy to start. You can source from thrift stores, then list and promote your bundles through platforms like Depop and TikTok to turn your taste into a pretty easy side hustle.
Interior Design – Furniture Flipping
Furniture flipping is basically interior design majors getting paid to say, “wait, I can make that cute.” You’re rescuing ugly, forgotten furniture and turning it into something that looks like it came out of a trendy apartment tour. Find pieces on Facebook Marketplace, curb dumps, or thrift stores, give them a glow-up, then relist them online and let someone else obsess over your taste.
Journalism – Freelance Writing
Freelance writing lets journalism majors build clips, hone their voice, and actually see what editors care about outside of class assignments. Pitch ideas to small magazines, local publications, and online blogs, or find gigs on LinkedIn.
Marketing – Brand Ambassador Gigs
Brand ambassador gigs are how marketing majors learn what actually makes people stop, engage, and care in real time. You can find opportunities through campus job boards, LinkedIn, or by joining groups like College Fashionista.
Psychology – Research Studies & Focus Groups
You sign up for research studies and focus groups through your university’s psych department, campus boards, or sites like Prolific and User Interviews, and just show up to answer questions while getting paid for your thoughts.
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Animal Science – Dog Walking
You can turn loving animals into an actual paycheck with apps like Wag or Rover. You’re walking dogs, pet sitting, and spending your day around animals while also building real experience in animal care and behavior. Just set up a profile, choose your availability, and start taking clients in your area whenever your schedule allows.
Finance – Day Trading
Day trading lets finance majors watch how the stock market moves in real time while learning about risk, timing, and trends as they go. You can start using apps like Webull and Robinhood while you practice reading the market.
Exercise Science – Fitness Coaching
If you’re a gym babe, then this is basically like getting paid to talk about fitness all day long. You can find clients at campus gyms, on social media, or by getting certified and applying at local gyms.
Graphic Design – Creating Birthday Banners
Birthday banners are kind of the perfect first side hustle because people will literally pay you just to make something cute with their name on it. You get to play around with fonts, colors, and layouts, then see your designs show up at actual parties (and on a lot of Instagram Stories). You can start selling through Etsy to reach more customers, then also pick up clients through Instagram, TikTok, or word of mouth once your designs start circulating.
Photography – Wedding Photographer
Wedding photography is a great side hustle for photography majors because it lets you build a strong portfolio while getting real experience shooting big, fast-paced events. You can find clients through Instagram, referrals, local Facebook groups, or by assisting established wedding photographers.
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