Online Tutoring Jobs for University Students

  It's not easy to get through university at the best of times, and at the moment there are extra difficulties. The two big challenges to a student are to make a little money to shave a bit off the debt and to gain some kind of experience that will stand you in good stead when you come to apply for work. Of course, you could get a job at your local fast-food outlet (assuming it's open) but that won't do anything for your CV. Or you could give lessons in your subject online as a private tutor.

What Subjects Are in Demand for Online Tutoring?

 It's easy to assume that the demand for online tutoring would be for core subjects such as English, Maths or Science, especially now when so many children need to catch up. Certainly, those subjects are always popular, but there are many other options. Is your expertise in a language or in art? Computer science or a musical instrument? All these subjects and many more are in demand, and if you're studying something at university level, then there'll almost certainly be an opening to offer online classes for that subject.

 Do I Need Qualifications to Be an Online Tutor?

 Legally, you don't need any qualifications to be a private tutor, either in person or online. However, getting students to sign up is a different matter. If you're at university, you presumably have good A-level grades, so this will provide a good basis for attracting GCSE and A-level students. On the other hand, you might struggle more to get students on a similar level to yourself, and certainly above your level.

 This means you'll need to market yourself at parents of school pupils, so it would be a good idea to get a DBS(Disclosure and Barring Service) check done. It's not a legal requirement, but it would help to reassure parents considering classes for their children.

How Do I Deliver Online Tutoring?

 Delivering online sessions of all kinds has come a very long way in the past year, and most people are now familiar with the basic technology. The obvious method is to use a video conferencing platform. Zoom is the best known, but a number of others are available, such as Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, all of which have their advantages. Most online tutoring is one-to-one, but many platforms will allow you to offer group classes. This may be appropriate for subjects such as languages, where practice between students could be of benefit.

How Do I Find Students?

 Being able to deliver online tutoring is one thing, but finding students isn't so easy. Traditional methods range from putting a card in local shop windows to becoming an employee of a tutoring company. The problem is that one is hit and miss, while the other restricts your freedom to arrange your schedule around your studies. A far better approach for the digital age is to register with TutorExtra as a self-employed tutor, allowing you not only a searchable listing, but also tons of information on questions like how to set yourself up and what you should charge. Then you can get on with letting online tutoring help get you through university.