Odd Jobs and Discounts for College Students

By Angelina Li

Yes, I am majoring in sociology, but boy, do I love money as much as the next person pursuing computer science for that fat check. 

It is perhaps the very fact that I am pursuing a traditionally less lucrative major that I feel the need to throw myself into whatever opportunities possible to make the most of my grand fee to be at this school. 

So thank you Trojans360 and the American Language Institute (ALI)  for graciously letting me onto your teams for the reward of minimum wage—my favorite type of wage!

I’m sorry, if you could be paid to write about basically anything you want, wouldn’t you jump at the opportunity too? Let’s be real, some of you (myself included) will write anything even when there is actually a specifically given prompt. Two articles, a meeting, and there you have it. A month’s worth of the bare minimum work as a Trojans360 blogger. 

Moreover, as an undergraduate student consultant for ALI, I work with international teaching assistants (ITA) to help them practice English and immerse themselves in American culture. I help them practice for their discussion sessions by providing feedback on their English and their presentational skills, as well as engaging in meaningful discussions about our cultures. 

Having basically no set working hours means that I try my best to maximize the amount of time I can work. After all, how else am I supposed to buy everything I need (want)?

However, I may be better at finding discounts than jobs, to a fault. Hence, if you are like me and are a material girl but on a budget, here are some discounts and deals that are beyond subscriptions and services USC provides.

Through Target’s free rewards program Target Circle, you can save with reduced prices like “15% off detergent” and “$2 off Halloween Candy.” However, my favorite deals are the ones that give you store credit for making a purchase, such as “a $10 gift card when you buy 3 select oral care products). Obviously, this is a marketing tactic, but if you actually need those products, then that extra $10 wouldn’t hurt for buying something you enjoy.

Being a CVS ExtraCare member is even more lucrative as they will send you coupons of a certain dollar amount off with no purchase required. When I get a $4 coupon, you bet I am walking down South Figueroa Street and picking up a bag of mini Starbursts for the price of nothing. As a former CVS employee, never feel ashamed to stack deals upon deals—corporate jacks up the original price for a reason. 

Back in the USC Village, the birthday reward that comes with being a Sephora Beauty Insider is quite well known. However, you should also take advantage of the Beauty Insider Challenges that the brand sometimes releases that allow you to earn points to exchange for samples or save for dollars off. While some activities require you to spend money, such as buying $25 worth of haircare to earn 100 points, others are as simple as going in-store and asking for a free hair quiz (also for 100 points). 

And, if you are into fashionable clothing, join Madewell Insider to get $25 off on your birthday, in which if your birthday so happens to land near sales days (because the company totally, definitely requires verification of your birthday), you can be like me and end up spending only $2.17 on two tops with an original cost of $44.98. 

Other stores like Express also offer point-earning activities that allow you to earn store credit, but unlike Madewell, there is a minimum for free shipping. 

There’s also all the free food you can earn on your birthday, but I honestly haven’t even tapped into that market yet.

Now, if nothing in this article resonated with you (and if this is because you are a nepo baby, let’s talk for no particular reason), just remember to always put yourself out there, even if it means taking on a job that you may not see as “valuable.” Yes, other people may be landing paid internships with big companies, but everyone is on their own unique path with work that deserves appreciation. After all, in this economy, we can’t be all that picky, can we?