Top 10 In-Demand Skills for Student Freelancers in 2024
Discover which skills are most sought after by employers and how you can develop them to increase your earning potential.
Skills That Keep Your Inbox Full
The campus gig economy moves fast. These are the 10 services getting the most searches, bookings, and tips across PeerZu right now.The campus gig economy moves fast. These are the 10 services getting the most searches, bookings, and tips across PeerZu right now.
1. Short-Form Video Editing
- TikTok + Reels editing for clubs, student-athletes, and local businesses- TikTok + Reels editing for clubs, student-athletes, and local businesses
- Keywords: "vertical video editor," "UCLA social media content"- Keywords: "vertical video editor," "UCLA social media content"
- Tools: CapCut, Premiere Pro templates, Descript- Tools: CapCut, Premiere Pro templates, Descript
2. AI-Assisted Copywriting
- ChatGPT prompt specialists who can polish essays, newsletters, and pitch decks- ChatGPT prompt specialists who can polish essays, newsletters, and pitch decks
- Pair AI drafting with human tone + fact-checking for premium rates- Pair AI drafting with human tone + fact-checking for premium rates
3. STEM + Coding Tutoring
- Data structures, MATLAB, Python for bio labs- Data structures, MATLAB, Python for bio labs
- Bundle recorded walkthroughs and Notion study guides- Bundle recorded walkthroughs and Notion study guides
4. UX/UI Audits for Student Startups
- Figma mockups + usability testing sessions- Figma mockups + usability testing sessions
- Offer “72-hour MVP refresh” packages for hackathon teams- Offer “72-hour MVP refresh” packages for hackathon teams
5. Event Content Capture
- Hybrid photo/video packages with same-day highlight reels- Hybrid photo/video packages with same-day highlight reels
- Add drone footage (FAA compliant) for outdoor events- Add drone footage (FAA compliant) for outdoor events
6. Resume + LinkedIn Optimization
- ATS keyword research, tailored bullet rewrites, recruiter-ready banners- ATS keyword research, tailored bullet rewrites, recruiter-ready banners
- Upsell mock interviews or email templates- Upsell mock interviews or email templates
7. Data & Spreadsheet Automation
- Clean up club budgets, lab data, or athletic scouting sheets- Clean up club budgets, lab data, or athletic scouting sheets
- Use Google Apps Script or Airtable automations to stand out- Use Google Apps Script or Airtable automations to stand out
8. Podcast + Webinar Production
- Audio cleanup, show notes optimized for SEO, quote graphics- Audio cleanup, show notes optimized for SEO, quote graphics
- Ideal for business schools and research labs going digital- Ideal for business schools and research labs going digital
9. Wellness & Fitness Coaching
- Certified trainers offering dorm-friendly workouts or accountability cohorts- Certified trainers offering dorm-friendly workouts or accountability cohorts
- Include nutrition templates and habit trackers- Include nutrition templates and habit trackers
10. Campus Brand Ambassador Campaigns
- Micro-influencers managing giveaways, tabling events, and email blasts- Micro-influencers managing giveaways, tabling events, and email blasts
- Provide performance dashboards so brands keep renewing contracts- Provide performance dashboards so brands keep renewing contracts
How to Level Up Quickly
1. Pick one skill and pair it with a specific audience (athletes, grad students, clubs). 1. Pick one skill and pair it with a specific audience (athletes, grad students, clubs).
2. Build a case study after every job—before/after screenshots, analytics, or testimonials. 2. Build a case study after every job—before/after screenshots, analytics, or testimonials.
3. List keywords in your profile bio so students searching “college video editor” find you. 3. List keywords in your profile bio so students searching “college video editor” find you.
4. Upskill monthly with a LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or YouTube sprint.4. Upskill monthly with a LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or YouTube sprint.
Bookmark this list, follow the demand, and you’ll stay ahead of every “student freelance jobs” search trending on Google.Bookmark this list, follow the demand, and you’ll stay ahead of every “student freelance jobs” search trending on Google.