You've seen the ads: "Hiring -- evenings and weekends." "Work part time, earn college funds!" "Great pay, flexible hours. Apply today!"

These days, high schoolers snag tons of tantalizing job offers. By working 15 hours per week during the school year, even at minimum wage, a student can earn nearly $2,800. That chunk of change could really make a dent in college costs.

But there are some underpublicized, unpaid jobs that could bring even more dough for college in the end -- perhaps thousands more. They also involve payoffs in the form of personal satisfaction. Some savvy students create alternative "jobs" based on study and service. They develop special talents, join school groups and start new ones, and serve their communities. They take those hours they could've spent at traditional jobs and improve themselves while earning  

cash for college

 .

The payoffs involve more than just money, however. Take it from students who know.

Their Hearts Told Them No Lies
Hugh Weber made his first strategic career move as a high school freshman: He quit his job delivering pizza. He then spent time on homework, extracurricular activities, and politics -- his passion since childhood.

"I was 10 or 11 and was already very active in local politics," Weber says. "[Someday] I hope to do political advising and consulting on political campaigns."

So during high school, Weber helped with campaign phone banks, flyer posting, banquets, and parades. He became vice chair of South Dakota's Teenage Republicans.

This alternative part-time job, along with outstanding work at school, earned Weber great experience and a six-figure scholarship to Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA. Not a bad salary hike.

Bethany Murphy, an avid musician, also gave up a traditional paycheck to follow her heart. During high school she studied oboe, English horn, and piano. She performed with orchestras, bands, and choirs in her Kansas hometown.

"The main motivation was to gain extra experience in the area in which I'm now majoring -- performance," Murphy says.

Murphy also gained merit awards, which erased her out-of-state tuition fees at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Julian Breece of Washington, D.C., expects a similar payoff for his "job." During high school, he attended special seminars in business, writing, politics, and theater. He produced and hosted TV programs on a cable station airing in Washington's public schools.

Payoffs? He's landed a job with Black Entertainment Television. He's gone to Israel and Korea as a youth ambassador. He's won coveted dollars from the national Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarship program. Most important, he's won experience.

"Working at television stations and doing community service at food kitchens and hospitals seemed more rewarding to me than a job [in retail]," Breece says.

Although New York University awarded Breece a $10,000 per year Martin Luther King scholarship, he's almost certain he'll go Ivy and attend Harvard University.

Giving Others a Lift
Many students find community service to be a good alternative to part-time work. Some mix it with other "jobs." During high school, Breece cooked and delivered food to AIDS patients. Murphy transported rehab patients at a local hospital.

Jacquelyn Kung of Arlington, TX, put together her own community project. Her C.A.R.D.S. program (Children's Art Remembering Disregarded Seniors) linked day care centers with retirement homes. Children made holiday cards for seniors.

"I realized how much kids love to draw and how much they love to see their artwork displayed. [Seniors] love seeing those bright young faces at the foot of the bed," Kung says.

Kung's community spirit -- along with her grades and success in various scholarship pageants -- earned her admission to Harvard. She also received a $20,000 scholarship from The Horace Mann Companies.

What's more, Kung gained a new attitude about helping people. "[I realized] I wasn't doing it for me. It was such a joy to see the residents' faces. I thought, 'This is the best Christmas present I've gotten in years.'"

Cool to Their Schools
Sometimes the best job students can do for a community involves extra work at school.

As a senior in high school, Jason "Beef" Welle was named one of Minnesota's top 25 football players. Playing power guard on a winning team gave him leadership potential, and he used it to his school's advantage. He headed a Knowledge Bowl team. He played in the pep band. He edited the newspaper and acted in plays.

"It was always gratifying when we put the issue out, or put the play on, or played the song, or whatever I was doing. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel an internal payoff at the beginning," Welle says.

There was an external payoff, too. Welle chose an NCAA Division III School -- St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN -- which prevented him from receiving athletic scholarships. But his hard work, school spirit, and GPA led to more than $21,000 in merit awards.

Could he have earned that working part time? "There's no way," he says.

C.J. Mahoney, a junior at Harvard, agrees. In Russell, KS, Mahoney could have taken a job serving fast food. Instead, he headed up the high school's debate and speech teams. He planned student government projects. He played football and tennis. He landed a school-sponsored internship with the county attorney.

Mahoney's busy schedule taught him to organize. His intelligence and concern for others helped him pay for school.

Ever Considered These Part-Time Job Alternatives?

Orator - C.J. Mahoney
Harvard University grad
Hometown: Russell, KS
"Job": Won state awards as member of debate and speech teams. Performed legal research for county attorney. Active in student government, tennis.
Cash for college: $30,000
Personal payoff: Scheduling skills. "I was always busy. When you have a lot of things on your plate, it forces you to organize."

TV Personality - Julian Breece
Benjamin Banneker Academic High School grad
Accepted by Harvard University, New York University, Morehouse College
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
"Job": Writes, produces, and appears on cable TV programs. Started high school's Amnesty International organization. Active as international youth ambassador, actor.
Cash for college: $15,500
Personal payoff: Experience on and off camera. "I'm getting for free what a lot of communications majors are paying for at college."

Community Activist - Jacquelyn Kung
Harvard University grad
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
"Job": Founded community program linking day care centers with retirement homes. Winner of state and national scholarship pageants. Edited high school's award-winning literary magazine.
Cash for college: $30,000
Personal payoff: A new attitude toward volunteerism. "I understand that volunteering is not about you or what you get from it, but rather, it's about what the other person feels and receives."

Musician - Bethany Murphy
University of Nebraska grad
Hometown: Hays, KS
"Job": Studied oboe, English horn, and piano -- and performed with more than a dozen school and community groups. Volunteered at local hospital.
Cash for college: $50,000
Personal payoff: Improved musicianship. "I had the opportunities to learn more repertoire and perform more."

Scholar-Athlete - Jason Welle
St. Olaf College grad
Hometown: Albany, MN
"Job": Top talent on high school's football and Knowledge Bowl teams. Spearheaded projects for Student Council, pep band, school newspaper, Boy Scouts.
Cash for college: $21,500
Personal payoff: Seeing school pride soar. "I just wanted to be great and win.
I thought it brought everybody together."

Political Organizer - Hugh Weber
Swarthmore College grad
Hometown: Clark, SD
"Job": Helped with numerous local, state, and national political campaigns. Five-sport athlete. Won awards for acting, singing, organizing.
Cash for college: $167,200
Personal payoff: Freedom to enjoy college. "I got here and realized I didn't have to work [after class]. I didn't have to give up singing. I played football freshman year."

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