Best Side Hustles, as the world continues to evolve quickly, it’s likely that a number of students and young professionals are beginning to realize the best side hustle is not just making some extra money, but a launchpad into long-term, fulfilling career. Whether it’s freelancing, content creation, digital marketing, or e-commerce, there are countless examples of side hustles that turned into full-time careers.
If you’re a student or recent graduate and you are not sure how to turn your side hustle into a job, this guide is your roadmap.
Why Create a Side Hustle While in College or After Graduating?
A side hustle will not only generate revenue – it provides real world experience, financial freedom and often, a head start to your career. Side hustles are typically more flexible than traditional jobs and often allow you to pursue your passion.
- The benefits of starting a side hustle today:
- Limited risk with unlimited learning
- Build portfolio and experience
- Great possibility of evolving a side gig into a business or career
- You control your time, your rates, your goals etc…
Let’s look at some of the best side hustles that may become a full-time career.
1. Freelance Graphic Design
One of the top freelance skills in demand is graphic design. If you aren’t a talented creative, but you understand how to use design tools such as Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or Figma, you can easily start getting small jobs on sites such as Fiverr, Upwork, or Behance.
Career Path:
With a portfolio and fellow clients, you could even grow to a full-time freelance designer and/or design agency, or work remotely for international brands.
2. YouTube content creation
Content creation on YouTube can be a fun hobby, as it has become one of the top side hustles to build a personal brand. Many creators are now making a full time income through AdSense, sponsorships, digital products and memberships.
Career path:
Select your niche — education, gaming, finance, fitness — and build an audience. It could eventually lead to brand deals, an online business, or become a media company.
3. Freelance Writing & Blogging
Know how to write? Freelance writing can turn into a full-time gig for a content strategist, blogger, or copywriter. A lot of students do freelance writing for small businesses in writing product descriptions, blog posts or articles.
Career Path:
Start part-time and grow by finding a niche that you can build (tech, health, finance). In time, you can start a blog for personal use, acquire global clients, or work on a marketing team.
4. E-commerce & Dropshipping
Managing an online shop through Shopify / Etsy can be a great way to test the waters of entrepreneurship if you are a student. Many students start selling print-on-demand products or handmade goods.
Career Path:
If your e-commerce store provides consistent sales and strong branding opportunities, you can make a full-time living off your shop. It can also be a path to starting a private label brand, or running multiple online brands.
5. Social Media Managing
If you know how to grow Instagram, TikTok or Twitter accounts, businesses will pay for your skills. This is one of the best side hustles available to students that understand trends, hashtags and content creation.
Career Path:
You could start by managing social pages for local brands or creators. You could scale into a social media agency, content strategist, or in-house marketing position.
6. Online Tutoring
Tutoring is a traditional side gig that never goes out of style! Use your academic strengths and help other students to prepare for the exams or to make sense of the hard subjects.
Career Path:
You could scale into full-time private tutoring, develop a course business online, or set up an educational YouTube channel.
7. Web Development & Technical Support
Learn how to code or set-up websites? Start small and build websites for small businesses, or helping them with tech problems.
Career Path:
From side-hustle to freelancer, then to online technical consultant, developer, or full-stack engineer. Tech skills are evergreen and high-paying.
8. Podcasting
The Podcasting industry has gone bozo. You can get started for little money with a low-cost mic and take your show as deep as you want. You can find a small niche and go deeper in on that niche!
Career Path:
As you develop your podcast and grow an audience you can get into longer-form sponsorships (i.e. find sponsors), affiliate marketing, sell premium content, automate to voice acting or move into several kinds of media.
9. Photography & Videography
If you are a photographer you can develop a photography business without any legal considerations by starting part-time with event shoots, portrait shoots for anyone, or shooting stock photographs.
Career Path:
You can develop a portfolio of photographs, offer editing or other services, or sell your photos on stock photography. In the long-term, you can develop plans to freelance as a photographer, videographer, filmmaker, or content creator that pays full-time.
10. Life Coaching or Consulting Skill-Based Consulting
If you have successfully navigated a difficult circumstance or mastered a skillset (i.e. productivity, personal finance, resume writing, etc.) then you are ready to help someone navigate a difficult circumstance — online or off.
Career Path:
You can put together a full-time business as a coach offering courses, books, auditing sessions, or group sessions. This can result in a high income rate, flexible schedule, and ultimately a better opportunity to promote life balance, so it is a good post-grad career choice!
How to Transform your Side Hustle into a Career
If you’re interested in the journey successful entrepreneurs took to go from side hustles to six-figure careers, check out HubSpot’s guide on scaling a side hustle. The guide provides actionable strategies and real-life case studies that can help you plan your journey.
If you are interested in turning your side hustle into a full-time career, you will have to be:
- Consistent: Remember to treat it like a business, not a hobby.
- Skill Development: You should look to learn, grow and develop your skills.
- Brand: A personal brand is key; website, social profiles, etc.
- Networking/Collaborating: If you don’t already know someone in your niche you will have to pitch and/or collaborate with others.
- Monetize: Understanding the various income streams (product and service sales, ads, etc), you can create a money-making strategy.
📊 Real Life Examples of Success
- Ali Abdaal – He started creating videos and making content to help medical students with their studies, and now runs a multiple-million-dollar content business.
- Grace Beverley – She started making content as a side hustle in fitness and has now created a sustainable activewear brand.
- Ben Francis – He started a fitness company called Gymshark from his bedroom and it is now speculated to be a billion-dollar brand.
Concluding Remarks
The side hustle that is best for you will be one that not only provides you income, but also allows you to use your strengths and hobbies. Remember, whether you are still in school or just finished, when you put your time and effort into the right side hustle, you can build a successful long-term career.
Don’t sit idle waiting for opportunities. Create your opportunities, one hustle at a time.
