Rather than working traditional student jobs or service industry positions, Sun Devils have turned to owning small businesses, finding side hustles and turning passions into employment opportunities.
While expressing themselves through creative services, many have found a fun way to earn extra cash.
Kiersten Baker, a junior studying psychology, teaches dance and assists with administrative work for a virtual dance studio. When she is not teaching classes through Zoom or doing paperwork, she is at dance competitions across the country to support her students.
Baker started as a teacher assistant in high school before becoming a dance teacher in her freshman year of college. Baker said she's only ever experienced a full class load while working.
Baker said she chose to teach dance because it gave her some normalcy while moving into college. She said while being a dance teacher was different from competing in dance it still felt familiar.
She was in a part-time teaching position during her freshmen year at Gotta Dance Company. However, last year she took a new position at Ultimate Dance Training.
Baker said she fell in love with working with kids and building new relationships and plans to stick with teaching dance throughout college.
"It's always changing, which is amazing so you don't get bored of it," Baker said. "I could not, at this stage of my life, see myself doing anything else."
READ MORE: The real cost of college
Izabella Munoz, a sophomore studying business, wanted more flexibility within her schedule while still being able to have the opportunity to earn money. She started her own nail business to give her the freedom she sought after.
"I like making my own schedule and (to) make sure I have time to do other things such as self-care or having fun going out shopping," Munoz said.
Munoz said she started doing nails in high school for her friends because it made them feel more confident but hopes to open her own nail shop one day. At first, she specialized in gel manicures and acrylics but has recently switched over to Gel-x nails.
"I had a couple of clients in the beginning and then they started referring me to their friends or people they would see out at parties and things like that," Munoz said.
Currently, about 40% of the money made goes back into her business and she keeps her prices competitive with other nail technicians, according to Munoz.
Munoz said her attention to detail is what sets her apart from traditional nail salons and prides herself on perfectionism. She takes between one to four hours for a set, depending on the design and the type of service being performed.
"Most people come to me from going to nail salon shops where they go the quick route just so they could get more clients," Munoz said. "I like to take my time, make sure the nails are perfect and make sure the clients love everything about their nails."
ASU students do not just offer nails, they provide a variety of beauty services. Brianna Granados, a junior studying nursing, began her own business for lashes and eyebrows called Noeluxbeauty.
Granados completed beauty school before deciding she wanted to become a nurse and enrolled in ASU. Her previous clients from beauty school continue to seek her services after starting college.
"I'm set apart from other lash artists just because of the fact that I am in college," Granados said. "I kind of understand where a lot of other students are coming from."
Granados said she only started taking her business seriously about two months ago but has had clients for four years now. About 60% of her revenue goes back into her business, and Granados said it's worth it because of the happiness she spreads.
Her current goals are to expand and collaborate with other artists, especially students, Granados said. Next month the business will have a pop-up lash service at University House.
"I love eyelashes. It's so much fun at the end when (clients) get their results," Granados said. "They're just so excited that they look so much different."
Having a creative job may take more time than a conventional student job, but can offer flexibility for busy college students.
"Look for something that has extremely flexible hours," Baker said. "Education is important; that's the reason why we're here, is to get (an) education so we can get a better-paid job."
Edited by Senna James, Sophia Ramirez and Natalia Jarrett.
Reach the reporter at glmcfar1@asu.edu and follow @ginia_mcfarland on X.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on X.
Ginia is a junior studying journalism and mass communication with a minor in criminology. This is her third semester with The State Press. She has also worked at Arizona Capital Times and KTAR News.
