The 8 best PhD side hustles | Earn money during your PhD

Summary

The video script discusses the financial challenges of pursuing a PhD and offers various strategies to supplement income without distracting from academic work. It suggests university-based side hustles, leveraging skills, and creating passive income streams. Examples include one-on-one tutoring, exam cramming sessions, selling digital products, marking exams, and participating in user testing. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not compromising PhD focus and finding ethical ways to earn extra money.

Takeaways

• 💰 The financial aspect of pursuing a PhD can significantly impact a student's experience, potentially making it more challenging due to the constant worry about money.
• 📚 PhD students often engage in side hustles to supplement their income, which can include various jobs both within and outside the university.
• 🔍 The speaker shares personal experiences and observations of other PhD students to provide inspiration for potential side hustles that align with academic life.
• 🚫 Side hustles should not distract from the main focus of the PhD; hence, the speaker emphasizes finding jobs that allow for continued concentration on studies.
• 🏫 Many of the suggested side hustles are university-based, which helps in maximizing time efficiency and minimizing distractions.
• 💡 The speaker advocates for not selling time for money but instead creating content and被动收入 sources, although acknowledging that this might not be feasible during the early stages of a PhD.
• 👨‍🏫 One-on-one tutoring was highlighted as a lucrative side hustle, especially for those who are good communicators and enjoy teaching.
• 📈 The speaker also mentions 'exam cramming sessions' as a valuable service that can be offered to students during exam periods, capitalizing on last-minute revision needs.
• 🎨 For those with creative hobbies, selling handmade products on platforms like Etsy can be a way to monetize personal interests.
• 🔬 Opportunities for PhD students also include assisting with marking exams, demonstrating in labs, and providing academic support services within the university.
• 💬 The speaker advises reaching out to supervisors and university services to express interest in teaching or tutoring roles that can provide additional income.
• 🌐 While not a fan of the gig economy, the speaker found user testing to be a relatively rewarding way to earn some extra money with minimal commitment.

Q & A

How does financial stress affect a PhD student's experience?

Financial stress can make a PhD much harder than it needs to be because it's always on the student's mind, potentially distracting them from their studies.

What are some criteria the speaker suggests for side hustles suitable for PhD students?

The side hustles should not distract from the PhD work, should be near the university to maximize time efficiency, and ideally involve exchanging time for money with higher pay and more freedom.

Why does the speaker prefer not to sell time for money during a PhD?

The speaker believes that creating content and having passive income sources are better in the long run, but during a PhD, it's more practical to stick with higher-paying, time-exchanging jobs due to the time constraints.

What is one-on-one tutoring and why is it lucrative for PhD students?

One-on-one tutoring involves providing personalized academic support, which is valuable to those seeking help and can command high rates due to the personalized attention and expertise provided.

What are 'exam cramming sessions' and how can they be a source of income for PhD students?

Exam cramming sessions are intensive study sessions close to exam times, where students pay for focused help with past exam papers. They can be a source of income because many students leave their revision to the last moment and are willing to pay for such help.

Why might selling digital products on Etsy be a good side hustle for PhD students?

Selling digital products on Etsy can be a good side hustle because it allows students to monetize a hobby that produces marketable items, like planners or jewelry, without requiring a significant time commitment.

How can PhD students get involved in exam marking as a side income?

PhD students can approach their supervisors or lecturers and offer to mark exams for them, using their subject knowledge to grade papers and provide feedback.

What opportunities does the speaker mention for PhD students interested in teaching?

The speaker mentions opportunities such as becoming a lecturer, giving workshops, teaching tutorials, and conducting lab demonstrations, all of which can provide additional income while utilizing the student's existing knowledge and skills.

How can PhD students help in student services and what benefits might they gain?

PhD students can help in student services by offering assistance with exams, essays, and foundational academic skills. This not only provides them with a side income but also allows them to utilize and share their academic expertise.

What is the speaker's view on the gig economy and user testing during a PhD?

While the speaker is not a fan of the gig economy due to its exploitative nature, they found user testing to be a useful and relatively well-paid side hustle during their PhD, providing an opportunity to earn some extra income with minimal commitment.