Being a college student brings you one step closer to adulthood.

This is the phase of your life when you’re preparing to join the automotive or motorsports industry by pursuing your academic qualifications. During this time in college, you’re learning to become more independent, more resourceful, and more responsible. In simpler terms, you’re slowly learning how to be a responsible adult, managing your own life instead of having someone else tell you what to do all the time.

Part of this process of becoming an adult could also include learning how to make your own money in your free time. While most of the hours in your day should always be focused on your classes and studying, there is no harm in using your spare time to make a few extra ringgit which you can use to support your studies or pay your bills.

Here are a few common ways you can try to earn your own money in 2019:

Rideshare driving

If you own your own car, one possible way to make money is to join a ridesharing service. While there may be one or two predominant ridesharing services in the country right now, there are also quite a number of local competitors that you can also choose to work for. Each of these companies have certain benefits and incentives to encourage new drivers to join them, so pick whichever one you think is best for you!

This is an attractive option to many people for two reasons: firstly, because it allows you to make the most of the car that you already have, and second, because it allows you to have complete flexibility and control over your working hours. With gigs like this, you get to decide when you start and when you finish work, putting your scheduling entirely in your control.

Freelance work

Freelancing is also a great way to make some money on the side, especially if you have a skill that other people are looking for. Writing, proofreading, visual designing, translating, and even doing voice-over work; the options for freelance work is almost endless. Doing this not only helps you earn a bit of money, it also challenges you to apply your skills to new situations based on the requirements of your clients.

Finding clients for your work is easy! A quick Google search will show you the many platforms where freelancers can offer their services online to clients from all over the world, or you can rely on your personal contacts and word-of-mouth to get the word out that your skills are for hire. Also, be sure to network with other freelancers; often times freelancers will share the workload they get if it is too much for them to handle alone.  

Tutoring

Somewhat similar to freelancing is the option of becoming a tutor. Tutoring others for a small fee can be a fulfilling way to earn a little money while being a student, especially since it means sharing your knowledge and skills with other people.

Examples of this could be tutoring others on languages, or even on subjects in which you are an expert.

Alternatively, some people also work at the many tuition centres that exist in this country teaching younger students school subjects such as math or science.

Remember: teaching others not only benefits them, it also benefits you. When you teach a subject to another person it challenges you to simplify the information and communicate it clearly for the other person to understand, and doing that deepens your own understanding of the subject as well. It’s a win-win situation!

Flip items online

Have you ever thought of flipping items online? What this means is to buy items at a certain price and then resell them to other people for a higher price. Imagine browsing through flea markets or online e-commerce websites to find items which you can then sell to other buyers online or in person for a profit.

These items could be collectibles like action figures or collectible cards, or they could even be hard-to-find items like imported instant noodles that aren’t being sold in local supermarkets. Wherever there’s a demand, there is always a supply; and in this case that supply could be you!

Learning to generate your own money in your free time as a student is also a great way to teach yourself creativity, resourcefulness, and your entrepreneurial ability. By figuring out what you have to offer and matching that with people who have a need, you’ll find that there are few things in life that make you feel more proud than learning how to make a living for yourself!

QUICK FACTS OF TOC AUTOMOTIVE COLLEGE

TOC offers various programmes and courses such as the Diploma in Automotive Technology, Diploma in Motorsport Technology, Diploma Kemahiran Malaysia, Superbike Technician Course, Master Technician Course, Automotive Customer Service, Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) Level 2 & 3 and other automotive short courses. There will be a new intake —check it out here!

We are one of the best automotive colleges in Malaysia that provides you with the education pathway you need to turn your dream into reality! Our diploma and certificate programme is structured to fit the needs of the industry by providing hands-on experience and solid theoretical knowledge.  

If you’d like to know more about the automotive industry or if you’re still unsure whether it would be a good fit for you, don’t hesitate to have a chat with our automotive course counsellors, who would be happy to help you out!