There are a lot of job boards out there—and unfortunately, a fair number of scams, too. So, how do you know which job sites are actually student-friendly?
That’s where we come in. At Remitly, we’ve created this guide to help you navigate the most popular job boards for college students—with an emphasis on platforms that are free, trustworthy, and tailored to your lifestyle.
Whether that means remote work, flexible hours, or early-career opportunities, we’ve got you covered. We’ll also share tips to use these boards effectively and avoid common job-search pitfalls. Let’s dive in!
Top job boards for college students
College life is expensive, and finding a part-time job or internship isn’t always just about building experience. It’s also about making rent, buying groceries, or saving money for study abroad or student loan payments. The right job board can help you connect with opportunities that match both your schedule and goals.
But not all job search sites are the same. Some focus on internships, others on flexible hours, and a few are built just for students like you. Below are some of the most popular and student-friendly platforms to start with.
AfterCollege
AfterCollege partners with schools and academic departments to deliver jobs that fit your field of study. Instead of scrolling through unrelated listings, you’ll see jobs that connect directly to your academic interests, often curated by your college.
And if you’re unsure where to start your job search, AfterCollege makes the process feel less overwhelming—the platform works directly with your school and professors and often reflects what students in your program typically pursue. It’s especially useful for majors like nursing, engineering, or business, where employers often recruit directly through academic departments.
Best for: career-aligned entry-level jobs, internships, and grad school-related opportunities
Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Custom job recommendations based on your major and college
- Listings include internships, research roles, and entry-level positions in healthcare, engineering, business, and more
- Strong focus on helping students transition from college to career
- Scholarships and career resources are also available
CollegeGrad
CollegeGrad is a go-to if you’re graduating and feeling unsure about how to land your first full-time job. Built specifically for early-career candidates, CollegeGrad won’t have you competing with seasoned professionals.
The platform helps you figure out not only what jobs are available, but also which ones might align with your degree, interests, or long-term goals. It also features a wide range of entry-level positions and a strong library of career prep content, including resume templates, interview advice, and salary guides.
Best for: recent grads seeking full-time, entry-level roles
Why it stands out:
- An extensive job board exclusively for new grads
- Resume and interview prep geared toward first-time job seekers
- Career exploration tools to help you choose a path based on your major
- Helpful salary comparisons and job outlook data
If you’re feeling unsure about your next step, CollegeGrad offers both guidance and job leads to get you started.
College Recruiter
If you’re early in your job search journey—or don’t have many professional connections yet—College Recruiter is a practical place to begin. It focuses on part-time, seasonal, and entry-level work that doesn’t require tons of experience, which makes it especially helpful for first-generation and international students navigating the U.S. job market for the first time.
Many of the roles listed here are designed with students in mind, no matter if you’re looking for flexible hours between classes or summer work near campus.
Best for: seasonal jobs, internships, and entry-level work
Why it stands out:
- Student-friendly jobs like summer gigs, internships, and part-time work
- Tips and blog posts to help with resume writing, interviews, and job hunting
- Great for jobs in retail, customer service, and on-campus work
It may not be flashy, but it’s practical and focused, which can be a major plus.
FlexJobs
If remote work is a priority—or you’re balancing school with family, caregiving, or commuting—FlexJobs might be worth the small monthly fee. This platform curates flexible and remote jobs across fields like accounting, project management, customer service, and tech.
While most boards rely on employer uploads, FlexJobs screens each listing to help you avoid scams or sketchy gigs. This kind of security can be especially valuable if you’re new to the U.S. job market or dealing with work eligibility requirements as an international student.
Best for: remote work, flexible internships, and freelance gigs
Why it stands out:Switch to block editor
- 100% remote and flexible jobs (no in-person shifts unless you want them)
- All employers are vetted to avoid scams or low-quality gigs
- Filters for part-time, seasonal, contract, or freelance work
- Great option for international students seeking a remote U.S. experience
Try FlexJobs with a one-month subscription to see if it’s worth the investment.
Handshake
You’ll hear this name a lot, and for good reason. Handshake was built just for students and recent grads, and it connects directly to your university’s career center. Employers actively post jobs seeking students from your school—and for first-gen and international students who may not have a big professional network yet, that built-in connection can be a game-changer.
Best for: campus jobs, internships, entry-level career opportunities
Why it stands out:
- You can log in with your school email
- Employers tailor jobs to your major, school, and location
- You’ll see everything from work-study gigs to internships to entry-level jobs
- You can attend virtual employer events and message recruiters directly from the platform
If your school uses Handshake, start there. It’s built for you.
Indeed
Indeed isn’t student-specific, but it’s one of the largest job boards in the world and offers a wide variety of listings. If you’re looking for weekend retail shifts, on-campus tutoring gigs, or paid internships, Indeed has you covered.
Best for: part-time jobs, freelance work, and broad job searches
Why it stands out:
- Tons of filters to narrow by hours, location, or job type
- Huge database with millions of listings
- Resume builder and easy one-click applications
- Email alerts to help you stay ahead of new postings
Be picky and filter carefully. With so many listings, you’ll want to double-check each one before applying—use your judgment and research employers when in doubt.
LinkedIn isn’t just for mid-career professionals—it’s one of the most powerful tools for students building their first professional network. Many companies post internships and early-career jobs on LinkedIn, and the platform’s networking features help you build visibility in your desired fields.
And if LinkedIn feels overwhelming at first, don’t worry. Building your profile and connecting with your peers and mentors is a great first step.
Best for: entry-level roles, internships, and professional networking
Why it stands out:
- See who you know at companies you’re applying to
- Research companies, read employee reviews, and follow organizations
- Build a digital resume that recruiters can find
- Apply for jobs directly or be discovered through your profile
It’s a good idea to build your LinkedIn now, even if you’re not ready to job hunt. Start by connecting with classmates, professors, or alumni—especially those working in fields you’re curious about.
WayUp
WayUp was designed specifically to connect college students and new grads with career opportunities—especially if you’re just starting to build your resume and want to be seen by employers who understand the student experience. Here, you’ll also find internships and full-time roles from companies that want to hire people just starting out.
Best for: students and recent grads entering the workforce
Why it stands out:
- All listings are for students or early-career professionals (zero to two years of experience)
- Filters for major, graduation date, remote options, and more
- Companies include startups, nonprofits, and major corporations
- Offers diversity-focused opportunities for underrepresented students
The job-matching tool personalizes listings based on your profile, saving time and highlighting roles you’re more likely to qualify for.
Campus and local job boards
While national platforms are useful for broader searches, don’t overlook the job boards tied directly to your college or local community, as they’re often the most accessible and student-friendly.
University career portals
Most colleges and universities use systems like Handshake or Symplicity to host their job portals. These sites are often packed with:
- On-campus jobs (think library assistant, resident advisor, or student ambassador)
- Work-study positions for financial aid recipients
- Local internships and part-time roles
- Career services like resume reviews, mock interviews, and career coaching sessions
If you’re unsure where to start, visit your school’s career services website or stop by their office in person. They often have hidden gems you won’t find elsewhere.
On-campus jobs/work-study platforms
Campus dining services, student unions, and academic departments often post job openings on bulletin boards, internal websites, or through faculty emails. Keep an eye out for:
- Lab assistant or research aid
- Peer tutoring or mentoring roles
- Front desk and administrative jobs in student services
- Event staffing or AV tech support
These jobs are typically easy to access and often come with student-friendly hours.
Local Craigslist or community boards
For quick and flexible side gigs, check community boards—both online (like Craigslist, Nextdoor, Patch, or local Facebook groups) and physical ones around campus. You might even find babysitting, tutoring, yard work, or part-time roles at nearby businesses.
Just be cautious. These platforms don’t always screen listings, so skip anything that sounds suspicious, lacks details, or asks for upfront fees. When in doubt, bring a friend or meet in a public place. These jobs can be convenient and low-commitment, but always prioritize your safety.
Tips for using job boards effectively
The best job board in the world won’t help if you don’t use it strategically. Follow these tips to get the most out of your search.
Filter like a pro
Every job board has search filters—use them to tailor your results to your needs.
- Job type: part-time, internship, seasonal, freelance roles
- Location: campus, local city, remote
- Schedule: evening/weekend, flexible hours, summer only
- Industry or field: healthcare, design, education, tech
You’ll spend less time scrolling and more time applying to jobs that are a good fit for you.
Customize your resume
Avoid sending the same resume to every job. Instead, tailor it by…
- Including keywords from the job description
- Highlighting relevant classes, projects, or volunteer work
- Adding a short objective if you’re applying for a specific type of role
There are many free resume templates online to help you get started. Just make sure yours is easy to read and error-free.
Set up job alerts
Most platforms allow you to create email alerts for new jobs that match your criteria. Use this! It saves time and helps you apply early, before a posting fills up or expires.
Watch out for scams
Not every listing is legit, so stay alert for signs of job offer scams. Be cautious of:
- Employers who ask for money, gift cards, or banking info
- Jobs that promise high pay for little work
- Poorly written descriptions with vague details
- Roles that ask you to recruit others (often pyramid schemes)
When in doubt, Google the company name plus “scam” or ask your college career center for advice.
Your next step
The right job board offers more than just a paycheck—it’s a path to new skills, experiences, and your future career. If you want to tutor on campus, intern at a marketing firm, or freelance as a remote writer, you can trust that there’s a job out there for you.
So what’s next? Create profiles on two to three of the platforms mentioned above. Set up job alerts. Start applying to a few listings this week. You don’t need to do it all at once, but the sooner you begin, the sooner opportunities will start coming your way. You’ve got this.
FAQs
What’s the best job board for finding internships?
For internships, start with Handshake or LinkedIn. Both platforms offer filtered searches specifically for internships, and many include paid opportunities.
Are there job boards just for international students?
Although there’s no major platform exclusively for international students, Interstride is a growing tool used by universities to support international learners. Otherwise, use job boards that let you filter for visa sponsorship or remote work, and consult your school’s international office for employer leads.
How do I know if a job post is real?
Real job listings will include clear company names, roles, responsibilities, and contact info. Avoid vague listings or those asking for money. Research the company, and when in doubt, talk to a career advisor or mentor at your school.
Should I apply directly or through the job board?
For best results, apply both ways—there’s usually an option to do so directly on Handshake or LinkedIn—and keep track of where you’ve submitted. However, it’s also smart to check the company’s official careers page and apply there too, especially for larger organizations.