Now that a solid month has passed in the school year hopefully you’ve established a routine on campus. While there are many things that might remain in question ( like exactly HOW you ended up in a class called Star Trek and Religion... Oh, yeah, that’s real there are few things that are certain; like the fact that you can definitely use some extra cash flow.

After buying all those books and a trendy florescent lamp from IKEA which made your room look uniquely like everyone else’s, you might have started thinking about how you can earn some extra money in order to stay out of the red.

There are, of course, work study programs, on campus jobs, and some off campus jobs that will hire you. The problem a lot of times is:

1)      Finding a job that will work around your school schedule.

2)      Finding a job that will work around your social schedule.

I think priority number one is the education you’ll obtain while on campus, but the relationships you build during college are also very important. And yeah, maybe you can get a job at the local pizza place, but if you are delivering pizzas while all your friends are playing intramural sports, attending concerts, and otherwise making memories you COULD feel a little left out in the cold.

Alone.

Just you and the pizza.

A pizza that doesn't even belong to you.

Sad.

Don’t get me wrong, working AND going to school is HARD and noble for those that do it. I'm not putting down anyone who works for anyone else, especially a small business (the usually have the BEST pizza).But, what about working for yourself? That way you can be your own boss, do something you like, AND work around your personal schedule.

YoungUpstarts.com is a website which provides advice to young people wanting to start their own businesses. They have outlined 6 Tips, which I bring to you today, exemplifying why it could be beneficial to start a business while in college. Ready? Okay , here we go!

1. Campus Advisory Board – Is there a school of business on your campus? If there is, you will have access to entire advisory departments: finance, management, marketing, accounting, legal and more.  Professors are more than willing to help use their expertise and connections to see a student from their school succeed in the business world.  Start your business and don’t hesitate to ask for help. These PhD’s are often well networked and experienced.

2. Word of Mouth – Word spreads quickly on campus and it will be your cheapest form of marketing.  There is no better endorsement to buy a product or service than having a recommendation from a friend.  It’s almost like hearing “Hey, everyone is going to this party tonight, you have to be there.” Napster music sharing service started in a college dorm room and spread like wildfire because of the students’ proximity to one another.  Use this to your advantage.

3. Technology - Colleges are a hotbed of technology and people who understand it.  Chances are your school offers WiFi, copy and fax machines, scanners, software, a high tech library, students walk around with cell phones, iPods, and laptops.  You are in one of the most well connected places on earth – take full advantage.  Everything that you need to start your business is right infront of you.  In a real bind? Make friends with the IT department and they will help you out. 

4. Campus Resources – Many colleges have amazing alumni networks, incubators, and entrepreneurship clubs set up already.  If they don’t–look into creating a chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization on your campus.  The more entrepreneurial people you surround yourself with the more driven and motivated you will become.  Entrepreneurship is a long hard battle, you will need a quality support group.

5. Access to Cheap Labor – Your college or university is full of young people trying to gain new experiences and a little bit of spending money.  Need help with your business? Look no further than other college students.  Many students will do unpaid internship if you make the experience worth their while.  Find other entrepreneurial minded students and pay them a commission based salary or find someone who wants to work part time for an hourly wage.  Need web development done? Ask around campus or post a job with your Career Services Center.

6. Now is the Time – Don’t wait until you have a mortgage and kids to start your business, do it while you have some breathing room attending college.  You could be out partying 24-7 or you could make the sacrafice now.  You might even have the option of moving home after graduation and boostrapping your business from your parents basement.  Tackle the challenge of starting a business while you have a crutch to lean on.

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"day in the life: lunch money" courtesy emdot via Flickr Creative Commons