Exploring Unusual Student Gigs: From Paid Pal to Odor Judge

In a world where side hustles are as common as coffee-fueled all-nighters, today’s students are breaking out of the traditional job mold. Say goodbye to the classic trio of barista, tutor, and babysitter. The gig economy has cracked open a whole new universe of student income possibilities – and some of them are downright bizarre.

From being someone’s paid companion to sniffing armpits for science, students are cashing in on quirks most people didn’t even know could pay. Let’s dive into the weirdest, wackiest, and surprisingly lucrative jobs students are taking on – and why these unconventional gigs are booming.

Trends & Stats: The Numbers Behind the Niche

Here are some statistics involving unusual student jobs you can get paid for:

• 42% of Gen Z students have considered freelancing or side hustles over traditional jobs. (Source: Deloitte, 2023)
• 15% of college students report having needed to earn money from side jobs in their school year. (Researchgate, 2022)

These statistics indicate a major shift in how young people approach work, especially as traditional job markets become saturated or underpaying. The diversity and creativity of these gigs also align with student values of authenticity and individuality.

Why the Shift Toward Unusual Student Jobs?

Traditional part-time jobs used to fit neatly into student life: predictable hours, convenient locations, and low-skill requirements. But with rising tuition costs, inflation, and a hyper-connected digital world, students are finding new, inventive ways to support themselves financially. The changing nature of work, catalyzed by the gig economy, has empowered students to carve out niches that fit their unique lifestyles and talents.

Key factors driving this shift include:

• Flexible hours: Unlike a rigid retail or food service shift, many unconventional gigs allow students to work during gaps in their schedule, late at night, or on weekends without committing to a fixed roster.
• Remote opportunities: The digitalization of services enables students to take on jobs that require nothing more than a laptop and an internet connection – even some of the stranger gigs.
• Increased visibility: Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit have played a crucial role in demystifying and normalizing odd jobs. Viral content about quirky side hustles generates curiosity and inspiration.
• Gig economy platforms: Online marketplaces like Fiverr, TaskRabbit, and RentAFriend have created ecosystems where niche services can thrive and find paying customers.

Unusual Paying Gigs For Students

Here are some unique and lucrative student gigs. You might not have even heard of some of them.

1. Paid Friendship: Getting Paid Just to Hang Out

Yes, being someone’s friend can actually pay. Platforms like RentAFriend.com, Papa, and similar services offer students the opportunity to provide platonic companionship to individuals who may be isolated, elderly, or simply looking for someone to share experiences with. Some cultures have already normalized this type of social outsourcing, and Western countries are rapidly adopting it.

What does it involve?

• Going to movies, concerts, or cafés with a client.
• Attending social or professional events as a guest or wingperson.
• Engaging in friendly conversations, either in person or via phone/video.

This job is surprisingly popular among psychology, sociology, and communication majors who see it as a way to practice people skills while making money.

Real example: Amber, a 21-year-old psychology major in Oregon, earns up to $50/hour as a paid friend. "It's honestly like being in a social club that pays," she says. "You meet fascinating people, and it’s helped my communication skills, too."

The payoff:

• Hourly rate: $20–$50/hr;
• Perks: Free meals, access to events, and exposure to unique life stories.

2. Odor Judge: Smelling for Science

It might make you wrinkle your nose, but companies actually employ people – including students – to evaluate the scent of products or even body odors. These odor judges help improve consumer goods like deodorants, perfumes, breath mints, and even fabrics.

What does it involve?

• Sniffing armpits, breath, socks, and other body parts after subjects use hygiene products.
• Participating in sensory labs that focus on fragrance development.
• Providing detailed notes on smell intensity, duration, and appeal.

This work is especially vital in product research and development. Brands rely on human noses to validate the effectiveness of products, and who better than a budget-conscious student with a flexible schedule?

Real example: Procter & Gamble has recruited college students for fragrance evaluation. One intern described her day as "smelling, documenting, and trying not to gag."

The payoff:

• Hourly rate: $15–$30/hr;
• Bonus: Gain bragging rights for having one of the world’s strangest jobs.

3. Virtual Boyfriend/Girlfriend: Love (or Liking) for Hire

In a hyper-digitalized world, companionship is increasingly being outsourced. Students are tapping into this demand by offering themselves as virtual romantic partners. These services are particularly popular in Japan, South Korea, and among Western online communities.

Popular platforms: Fiverr, Upwork, specialized relationship apps

What does it involve?

• Daily messaging (good morning/good night)
• Providing encouragement and emotional support
• Engaging in digital roleplay (non-explicit, unless otherwise agreed)

Students with a flair for role-playing or an empathetic nature can find this work both emotionally engaging and financially rewarding.

Real example: Lucas, a 23-year-old theater student in London, maintains three "virtual girlfriend" personas and earns over $1,000/month. "It's acting meets empathy," he says.

The payoff:

• Monthly earnings: $500–$1,500;
• Bonus: Develops emotional intelligence, communication skills, and narrative creativity.

4. Pet Food Taster: Yes, It’s a Thing

Pet food companies take quality seriously – so seriously, in fact, that they hire humans to taste-test their products. These testers provide feedback on texture, flavor, and overall appeal.

What does it involve?

• Tasting small amounts of pet food (usually safe for humans)
• Describing the product’s flavor profile and mouthfeel
• Assessing whether the food meets quality standards

Though it might seem gross at first, many testers report that the food tastes like bland granola or mushy meatloaf. It’s not gourmet, but it’s not unbearable either.

The payoff:

• Hourly rate: $25–$40/hr
• Bonus: Great conversation starter

5. Professional Cuddler: Comfort That Pays

Platonic physical touch is powerful, and students are finding purpose and profit in providing it. Professional cuddlers meet with clients in safe, structured settings to offer non-sexual comfort and companionship.

Sites like: Cuddlist, Cuddle Comfort

What does it involve?

• One-on-one cuddle sessions in public or private spaces
• Practicing and respecting clear boundaries and communication
• Optional training in therapeutic touch and emotional support

Clients range from the recently heartbroken to those managing anxiety or PTSD. The work can be emotionally intensive but highly rewarding.

Real example: Riya, a social work major, offers cuddle sessions in New York. "Some people just need human contact without expectations. It's healing work."

The payoff:

• Hourly rate: $60–$80/hr
• Bonus: Deepens one’s understanding of human connection

6. Human Billboard: Advertising on Skin or Clothes

Whether it’s wearing branded T-shirts or slapping temporary tattoos on your forehead, students are turning their bodies and wardrobes into ad space. You can advertise for brands with your body.

Types of gigs include:

• Walking around campus in costume for a brand
• Tattooing temporary or even permanent logos
• Wrapping personal cars in company decals

Real example: In 2021, a student made headlines after earning $5,000 to tattoo a company’s logo on his chest for a month.

The payoff:

• Flat rate or per hour: $20–$5,000 depending on the deal;
• Bonus: Exposure and potential media attention.

7. Line Sitting: Holding Spots for the Impatient

When sneaker drops, Apple releases, or hot-ticket events draw crowds, there’s value in being the first in line. Enter the line sitter – someone who queues up, so others don’t have to. This job is quite simple. You simply need to hold a place on a queue for a paying customer. Many people don't like standing in a line for long, so some people opt for this method, especially if they can't get to the venue on time.

What does it involve?

• Standing in lines for hours, sometimes overnight
• Being punctual and reliable
• Transferring the spot to the paying client

Where to find gigs: TaskRabbit, Craigslist, Same Ole Line Dudes (New York)

The payoff:

• Hourly rate: $15–$45/hr;
• Bonus: Experience cultural trends up close.

8. Game Currency Farming: Digital Gold Rush

Gamers rejoice – your hobby could be your side hustle. Students are earning real money by farming in-game currency, rare items, or high-level accounts, and selling them to other players. This is a popular gig among students, as many of them play video games as a hobby. What is a better way to make money than to do it by playing what you love?

Some popular platforms and games: World of Warcraft, Runescape, Fortnite, and emerging play-to-earn games.

What does it involve?

• Grinding for virtual currency, loot, or achievements
• Selling goods on marketplaces like PlayerAuctions
• Occasionally managing accounts for clients

Real example: A student in the Philippines made $300/month farming gold in World of Warcraft during the pandemic.

The payoff:

• Monthly earnings: $100–$3,000 depending on demand;
• Bonus: Monetize your favorite pastime.

9. ASMR Artist: Tingles That Translate to Cash

ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) has taken over YouTube, and students with a good microphone and a gentle voice are cashing in. These artists create content that triggers relaxation or "tingles" through soft sounds. It's a great way to earn some side money if you have a soothing voice.

What does it involve?

• Whispering, tapping, crinkling, and brushing sounds
• Creating themed roleplays (e.g., makeup artist, librarian)
• Posting regularly on YouTube or subscription services

Real example: Jenny, a 19-year-old communications student, has 10,000 YouTube subscribers and earns $700/month through ASMR.

The payoff:

• Monthly earnings: $100–$2,000+
• Bonus: Improves production and audio editing skills

10. Bug Feeder or Breeder

Students with a strong stomach and scientific curiosity can earn money by raising or feeding insects for labs, zoos, and pet supply companies. This is a perfect role for people who are insect or animal lovers usually.

What does it involve?

• Caring for insect habitats
• Feeding insects and monitoring breeding cycles
• Keeping detailed logs of growth and behavior

Where it’s in demand: Biology departments, pet stores, exotic pet owners.

The payoff:

• Hourly rate: $12–$25/hr;
• Bonus: Learn about entomology, build niche expertise.

What Makes These Gigs Appealing?

What exactly makes these unusual student gigs appealing? Here are some reasons why they can be beneficial:

• Freedom: The ability to choose when and how to work is crucial for students managing coursework, extracurriculars, and personal life. Not every student has enough time on their hands to work a job with a fixed schedule, hence these jobs with flexible schedules can be very helpful.
• Creativity: These jobs often require thinking outside the box, which appeals to a generation raised on innovation. The more you think outside the box, the better your creativity. Creativity is an invaluable skill for any student today. It sets you apart from the rest.
• Connection: Some of these gigs help you build solid connections with other people. Whether through ASMR, cuddling, or companionship, these gigs create real human bonds. Connections can take you to the right places. It's simply a matter of meeting the right people.
• Profitability: Many of these gigs pay significantly more than minimum-wage campus jobs, sometimes with less effort. That means you can earn more by doing less. Why tire yourself out when you can simply pick a job that suits you and your schedule?

Final Thoughts: The Future of Student Work

Unusual student gigs are more than a passing trend. They reflect a larger shift in values, where authenticity, flexibility, and individuality matter more than fitting into traditional molds.

If you’re a student looking for income and open to the unconventional, don’t be afraid to explore these options. You might just discover that your weirdest skill is your most valuable asset.

As for me, I’ve never been paid to sniff an armpit or cuddle a stranger. But I once made $150 writing love poems for other people’s Tinder matches. So yeah, it’s a weird world out there. And it’s paying. With a bit of effort, you might just find a gig that suits you perfectly.