Part-Time Jobs for College Students

If you’re a student who enjoys storytelling and interacting with the public, working at a museum or historic site is a rewarding option. Suburban museums, historical homes and cultural centers often hire part-time staff for visitor services, gallery monitoring and guided tours. Check out the career webpages for local institutions — they often have roles posted that support public programming and guest services.

Independent coffee shops frequently need part-time help, especially during morning and weekend rushes. Working at a cafe strengthens time management and interpersonal skills, and teaches you how to thrive in fast-paced, people-focused environments. These positions are especially well-suited to students with creative aspirations or entrepreneurial goals — they give you a firsthand look at how small businesses operate and connect with their communities.

Many suburban towns — like Northbrook, Palos Heights and Glenview — have golf courses or private clubs that hire seasonal attendants for bag drop, cart management, concessions and clubhouse support. These jobs deliver direct exposure to high-end hospitality environments, allowing students to develop guest-service etiquette, attention to detail and teamwork. If you’re interested in luxury travel or resort management, these are ideal stepping stones.

Small suburban businesses — like bed and breakfasts, tour operators or family-owned restaurants — often need help building and maintaining a digital presence. Students with social-media savvy or basic graphic-design skills can find opportunities to assist with Instagram and TikTok posts, newsletters, Google listings and more. These jobs are especially valuable for college students in marketing, communications or business programs. Reaching out directly to businesses in your neighborhood with some professional social-media-post examples can open doors that aren’t always listed on job boards.

Live-performance venues and community theaters in the suburbs regularly hire ushers, concession workers and box-office attendants. These roles introduce students to arts tourism, guest services and event operations, with evening and weekend hours that typically fit student schedules. If you’re interested in arts and entertainment, it's an excellent behind-the-scenes opportunity.

Suburban hotels need front-desk staff and guest-service agents, especially during evenings and weekends. These roles introduce students to hotel operations, customer interaction and reservation systems. They’re particularly valuable for hospitality majors, but beneficial even for those pursuing other career paths. Hotel staff experience develops customer service, professional communication and conflict resolution skills — all widely applicable across industries.

Suburban shopping areas are practically always looking for part-time retail staff, especially during holiday and back-to-school seasons. These roles build experience in inventory management, merchandising, returns and real-time customer interaction. Students interested in fashion, product marketing or e-commerce get a firsthand view of how physical retail feeds into broader consumer trends and brand strategy. Many stores also promote from within, giving motivated students a path toward team-lead positions.

Many hotels and event centers in suburban areas regularly host weddings, conferences and social events that require part-time banquet staff. These roles usually involve setting up dining rooms, serving meals and assisting with cleanup — a glimpse into event planning and high-volume hospitality service. Students gain real-world experience in team coordination, food handling and time-sensitive service, all of which are valued in both tourism and restaurant careers.