From NFT art to network management: the most profitable side jobs for students

What do creating NFT artwork for the Metaverse, designing and developing a website, participating in an email marketing campaign, or managing a social network have in common? All of these activities and more can be done from our homes and generate a lot of resources.

According to a study conducted by the online course, these “side hustles” (so called because they can be done in our free time alongside other activities) can generate more than $171 per day in income and offer more than $42,700 in employment potential per year. They analyzed public data on freelance advertising rates on the virtual employment app Fiverr on the Preply platform.

This fertile career field is particularly attractive to graphic designers, who have the tools to pull off most highly creative side hustles.

Alejandra Basta Ghetti, director of the degree in Graphic Design and Transmedia Production at Unifranz Tamayo, says: “We find ourselves in a time where everything is changing too fast. First it was the Internet, then social networks, and now artificial intelligence and the metaverse.”

“These things can make us feel threatened because the situation is evolving very quickly, but on the other hand, we have the opportunity to stay on top of things and see the positives and how we can benefit,” he noted.

In Preply’s study, NFT art topped the list of the highest paying side jobs, with an average daily wage of $171. The field stands out due to its high demand and the value that collectors and digital art enthusiasts are willing to pay.

NFTs or non-fungible tokens are digital assets authenticated using blockchain technology. They are unique assets and cannot be exchanged for each other. This allows us to prove that the buyer is its sole owner.

An NFT can be literally anything that can be digitized: from a work of art to a meme, tweet, or photo, and more.

The unique nature of NFT art and the ability to create digital works that can fetch high prices in virtual auctions makes it an attractive option for artists with talent and knowledge of digital technology.

Ángel Rapu is an example of the improvement and value of this sideline business. The graphic designer and 3D artist has been selling his works in the virtual universe through NFTs for many years. His exclusive customers are all over the United States and other countries around the world.

The young artist, who graduated in Graphic Design and Transmedia Production at Unifranz, claims that he only discovered the 3D world and its qualities while studying at university.

“From that day on, I tried my best to learn this incredible profession, practicing and experimenting with many techniques every day. Currently I am developing in the field of character creation and 3D illustration,” he says.

One of the great things about this job is its flexibility, as it allows designers to set schedules and work from anywhere, as long as they have internet access and the appropriate digital tools.

Other side jobs

In addition to NFT art, there are other design and technology-related activities that can also generate additional income. Here are some options:

● Average daily cost: $170.

● Potential annual income: $42,558

● Description: Web designers must combine creativity with technical knowledge to develop pages that meet customer expectations and are easy to navigate.

● Average daily cost: $144.

● Potential annual income: $36,053.

● Description: Unlike web design, web development focuses on website programming and functionality. Web developers create and maintain the structure of a website, making sure everything runs properly.

Email Marketing:

● Average daily cost: $141.

● Potential annual income: $35,238.

● Description: This job involves creating and managing email campaigns for a company with the goal of improving communications with customers and increasing sales.

Social Media Management:

● Average daily cost: $86.

● Potential annual income: $21,475.

● Description: A social media manager is responsible for maintaining and growing a brand’s online presence, creating engaging content, and managing interactions with followers.

A side hustle can allow you to develop new skills or hone existing ones. For example, a web developer can improve their programming skills, while a social media manager can learn about new marketing strategies.

On the other hand, these jobs allow students to control their own time and income, set their own schedules, choose projects, and provide valuable skills for taking on new challenges, for example.

Finally, many side hustles involve interaction with clients and collaborators, which can lead to new opportunities and professional networks.