We know, we know. You’re just so busy with classes and Greek life and Instagram — there’s no way you have time for a job. But we can attest to the fact that some of our most valuable life lessons were learned outside of the lecture hall; if you can’t carry four beers through a crowded bar, don’t even begin to disagree. There are two ways to find a job in this city: online searching or door-to-door hunting. We’ve given you some suggestions for the interwebs and then listed some of our favorite part-time gigs. And for all you bleeding hearts, we’ve got some volunteer opportunities as well.
Craigslist
Random roommates and sweet pieces of furniture have helped destigmatize this online haven of all things job, market, and err, meet-up related. Lots of companies in the Charleston area post to Craigslist, keeping its list updated minute-by-minute. Verify a company’s existence with an initial email or a Google search and then hit them with a resume, cover letter, and a few earnest words. Do that enough and someone will get back to you.
Baby-and dog-sitting services
If you want to control your hours create a profile on a baby-sitting site. These positions obviously require some background knowledge, so if you’ve spent years watching the neighbor’s kids, you might as well harness that skill to make a little late-night pizza money. Dog-sitting is also a great way to hang out with Fido without having to, you know, pay for all his fancy pet gear.
Catering companies
Granted, beer can be bought on the cheap, but maybe the amount of partying is really adding up and you need some green. If you need money but don’t have a lot of time to sacrifice, try finding a job in catering. Charleston is a top wedding destination, and you know the bride and groom aren’t cooking up all that food themselves. Catering positions pay well because you don’t work all that much, you get to laugh at the awkwardness that comes with getting two sides of the family together, and you almost always get free food.
Part-time F&B and retail jobs
Charleston’s food and bev industry is thriving which means there are always new positions opening up, especially ones within walking distance of your downtown apartment. While full-time restaurant positions aren’t feasible in your first year of college, part-time gigs at chain restaurants and coffee shops are a great way to grab some dough.
Plus, retail jobs are a great way to practice your sales skills — who said college didn’t prepare you for the real world? King Street is lined with stores, from chains to mom-and-pop places, so walk in with a resume and ask if someone is hiring. If you start on lower King and work your way up you can reward yourself with a big ol’ cookie from King Street Cookies. You deserve it.
Volunteer Opportunities
Ansonborough House
71 Society St.
Downtown
(843) 723-8613, contact for Dora LaTorre
charlestonareaseniors.com
This low-income housing facility for seniors needs help in their food pantry, which involves assisting seniors with shopping and bagging groceries. Located in the heart of downtown, Ansonborough House is a convenient place to help out the community.
Be a Mentor Now
Charleston Area Schools
Contact Eileen Burkhardt, (843) 554-5987
beamentornow.org
As part of the lunch buddies program, you eat lunch with elementary students one hour every week, while encouraging specific goals to help further their education and character-building skills.
Charleston Animal Society
2455 Remount Road
North Charleston
(843) 747-4849
charlestonanimalsociety.org
College is not the best time to get a pet (trust us, the bunny rabbit ownership of 2012 did not end well), but it’s a great time to help out local pets that need a little love. The animal society offers several programs where you can help play with the fuzzy ones, and if you’re feeling really responsible, you can join a fostering program that lets you house kittens or puppies for a few weeks. Just make sure you check with your apartment’s policy regarding pets (you can trust us on that one).
For more volunteer opportunities visit volunteer.cofc.edu.
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