As Ohio University students get in the swing of the new school year, many begin the search for a new job, however, some make money right from their dorm room.
Some college students choose to work as independent consultants, earning profits by selling products like cosmetics, nutritionals and more on behalf of large companies. Nearly 40 percent of direct selling representatives are millennials, according to the Direct Selling Association.
Madeline Parisi, a senior studying communication sciences and disorders, works as an independent consultant for Arbonne, a company that sells botanically based products ranging from nutritional supplements to skincare. Arbonne is a certified vegan, cruelty-free and gluten free brand that has been in business for 38 years.
Parisi has worked for Arbonne for three months and admits the job brings challenges.
“Not many people know Arbonne and what we are all about,” Parisi said.
Up for the challenge, Parisi seeks to educate potential customers about Arbonne’s healthy, natural products and hopefully sell them on what the company has to offer.
Despite the difficulties, Parisi enjoys making her own schedule and working from just about anywhere and considers her job rewarding. Her fellow Arbonne consultants offer support, advice and motivation when needed.
“Everyone wants you to succeed and are willing to help you improve your own business whenever they can,” Parisi said.
Parisi loves using Arbonne as an outlet to spread her passion for healthy products and recommends independent consulting for any company — especially Arbonne.
A love of makeup encouraged senior Tiyana Ross to become an independent beauty consultant for Mary Kay, a makeup and skincare brand.
Ross, who studies nursing, appreciates the ability to work for Mary Kay on her own time but can get overwhelmed with balancing her independent consultant position with school and another job.
In order to maintain an active status with Mary Kay, Ross must meet a bi-monthly quota, which also can be demanding and especially time consuming.
“You just have to be really dedicated to it,” Ross said.
After working with Mary Kay for a year, Ross depends on repeat customers but also loves to sell products to new clients. She makes profit from each item she sells.
The flexibility of an independent consultant’s schedule, Ross said, makes this a legitimate job option for college students.
Luke Pittaway, a professor and chair in the OU College of Business, believes independent consulting can benefit students by allowing them to learn skills of self-motivation and discipline while making money to pay for tuition.
“There are a lot of rules on campus for this type of work and navigating them without getting into trouble can be challenging,” Pittaway said in an email.
On Monday, CoLab, a pace designed to help students begin business ventures, will open on the third floor of Alden Library.
Pittaway said with independent consulting work, it is highly possible to get stuck in pyramid schemes, which come from consultants recruiting other members to the company, to the point that no money can be made.
Beginning in the entrepreneurial world early on, Pittaway said, leads to success in the field later. He also believes finding a good balance between schoolwork and self-employment ventures will greatly help students in career settings.
