Creative

Side Hustles

Everyone’s heard of them. Whether it’s the frat guy down the hall screaming about Amazon drop shipping or a professor that tutors in their free time, side hustle culture has become ubiquitous across college campuses. In fact, over 30% of American college students have a side hustle, but what exactly is a side hustle? 

Side Hustles 101 

At its core, a side hustle is any form of work that you take on in addition to your main job or studies. Anything from selling handmade crafts on Etsy to coding freelance projects for startups counts. Unlike a traditional 9-5 job, side hustles are often more flexible, allowing you to work on your own time and from virtually (get it?) anywhere.  It’s work that doesn’t replace your main income but supplements it. At the same time, it can also help you to pursue a passion you can’t fully explore in your main role. 

Why Do People Have Side Hustles? 

People pick up side hustles for a variety of reasons, and they’re not just about making extra money (though that’s a big plus). For some, it’s a way to turn hobbies into more fulfilling work. Instead of working a traditional job, you could get paid for what you already love doing, whether that’s photography, writing, or playing music. According to Ted Rossman, “The average side hustler is bringing in about $900 a month.” That’s a substantial boost for college students or anyone looking to build financial stability. 

Side hustles are also a way to gain new skills and build your resume. By managing your own side hustle, you can develop expertise in areas like time management, marketing, and customer service—skills that are highly marketable and transferable to a primary career. For some, a side hustle even serves as a gateway into an entirely new career or field of study. Maybe you’re a business major, but your freelance graphic design work makes you realize your true passion lies in the arts. A side hustle lets you explore that without committing to a complete career overhaul. 

Creative Side Hustles 

While anyone can start a side hustle, creative fields tend to dominate the space. These hustles often stem from personal passions and allow for the most flexibility and individuality. Here are a few popular options: 

  • Digital Marketing: From managing ad campaigns to crafting SEO-friendly content, digital marketing side hustles can bring in big bucks. Many small businesses look for freelance marketers to help boost their online presence. 

  • Social Media Influencing: With platforms like TikTok and Instagram, anyone can grow a following around their niche and monetize it through sponsorships and affiliate marketing. 

  • Blogging/Writing: Whether you’re sharing your travel experiences or offering tips in a specific field, blogging can turn into a profitable endeavor with ad revenue and partnerships. 

  • Video Editing: As video content continues to dominate the internet, video editors are in high demand. If you’ve got the skills to turn raw footage into entertaining content, this could be a lucrative path. 

At their core, these side hustles share one commonality: they allow you to monetize your skills in creative and engaging ways. 

Side Hustles: The Sky’s the Limit 

What starts as a side hustle can often become much more. Many small businesses—even global brands—started as side gigs. Etsy shops, YouTube channels, and freelance services can scale into full-time operations with the right approach. For example, an influencer who initially posts videos for fun might eventually secure brand deals and sponsorships worth thousands of dollars. Similarly, a freelance designer could grow their side hustle into a full-fledged agency by taking on more clients and hiring additional help. 

Scaling a side hustle requires strategic planning, but the payoff can be life-changing. It’s about identifying what works, doubling down on your strengths, and learning how to automate or outsource tasks. With persistence and creativity, the sky’s the limit. 

How to Get Started: 

The Foundry is a UVA owned space for creatives and entrepreneurs to share ideas. They also have hands-on workshops, design challenges, and hackathons to accelerate your growth. 

Wix is a great place to start when it comes to building an online presence for your side hustle. With Wix’s help, it’s easy to create a website that’s as unique as you are. Plus, they even hold webinars that walk you through everything from design basics to SEO tips, making it easy to build a website even if you’re not exactly “tech-savvy.”  

Last but not least, you can always pop by the UVA Career Center to get some help. Swing by Drop-In Hours held from 1:30-4:30pm at Clem 2 and 5-7pm at 1515 Monday-Thursday. For a deeper dive, book a one-on-one session through Handshake with a Career Counselor who can help you with your career path.