Education Expert: These High School Side Hustles Impress College Admissions Officers the Most

Photo by Wes Hicks on Unsplash

Article courtesy of Silicon Valley High School

Why that “hobby” your teen won’t stop talking about might be their ticket to college acceptance.

Key Points:

• Education expert reveals which side hustles high schoolers started that recruiters and admissions officers take seriously, even when parents dismiss them as distractions
• From sneaker reselling bots to teaching seniors tech skills, these unconventional projects demonstrate initiative, problem-solving, and real-world business acumen
• Expert explains why these activities often stand out more than traditional part-time jobs and how parents can better support their teens’ entrepreneurial ventures

Not all valuable experience comes with a paycheck or a polo shirt uniform. High school side hustles that parents dismiss as hobbies or time-wasters actually demonstrate exactly what recruiters and college admissions officers are usually looking for: initiative, problem-solving, self-direction, and digital fluency. 

While a part-time job at the local coffee shop shows responsibility, unconventional projects reveal something deeper about a student’s ability to identify opportunities and create value.

Education expert David Smith, CEO of Silicon Valley High School, an innovative online learning platform, has watched countless students turn passion projects into impressive resume highlights. 

“The most compelling applications we see are from students who saw a problem and built something to solve it, or identified a market opportunity and ran with it,” Smith explains.

Side Hustles Recruiters Take Seriously (Even If Parents Don’t)

Smith discusses real side hustles started by high schoolers that caught the attention of recruiters and admissions committees, explaining why these projects carry so much weight.

1. Sneaker Reselling With Automated Technology

Joe Hebert, known online as “West Coast Joe,” flipped sneakers as a teenager and built sophisticated bots to buy up massive quantities of limited-edition releases and resell them for profit. 

What looked like an obsession with shoes to his parents was actually a crash course in supply chain management, market timing, and coding.

Students who talk about running sneaker resale operations are demonstrating skills that translate directly to business,” Smith notes. “They’ve learned about inventory management, understanding market demand, building relationships with suppliers, and often basic programming. These are the same principles taught in business school, just applied to a product they’re passionate about.”

The technical aspect sets these ventures apart. Students who automate parts of their business show they can identify inefficiencies and build solutions, exactly what tech companies look for in entry-level hires.

2. Using Technology for Social Impact

Gitanjali Rao earned recognition as Time’s “Kid of the Year” for her scientific innovations, but her work represents a broader trend of teens using technology for social good. She developed tools to detect lead in water and identify cyberbullying, demonstrating how young people can apply technical skills to solve real community problems.

Following a similar path, Jordan Mittler started “Mittler Senior Technology” while still in high school, teaching older adults how to use iPhones and protect themselves from online scams. His approach turned a social need into a sustainable business model.

“Social impact side hustles demonstrate emotional intelligence alongside technical skills,” Smith explains. “Teaching requires patience, the ability to explain complex concepts simply, and genuine empathy. When a student can show they’ve successfully taught technology to a demographic that finds it intimidating, that’s powerful evidence of communication skills.”

These students build complete businesses around accessibility and digital literacy, creating curricula, marketing their services, and managing operations that rival what many adults handle in their careers.

3. Building Educational Technology Tools

Josh Feinsilber found existing educational tools like Kahoot! a bit lacking, so he built Gimkit as a school project while in high school. What started as a way to make studying more engaging turned into a platform used by teachers nationwide.

“A student who identifies a gap in existing solutions and builds something better demonstrates entrepreneurial thinking at its finest,” says Smith. “These students aren’t waiting for someone else to fix problems they see. They’re learning to code, testing their products with real users, and iterating based on feedback.”

The key difference between these projects and traditional extracurriculars is ownership. 

Students who build their own tools are making decisions about user experience, managing feedback, and sometimes even monetizing their creations. They’re running real businesses, not just participating in activities.

4. Creating Sustainable Fashion Brands

Maya Penn started Maya’s Ideas at just 8 years old, creating eco-friendly, upcycled clothing and accessories. By high school, she had turned her childhood project into a recognized sustainable fashion brand.

“Fashion-based side hustles frequently get dismissed as frivolous, but students like Maya are running complete businesses,” Smith points out. “They’re sourcing materials, managing production, building brand identities, marketing through social media, handling customer service, and often advocating for environmental causes. That’s a business degree’s worth of experience before graduating high school.”

These ventures require students to balance creativity with business acumen. They need to understand their target market, price products appropriately, manage cash flow, and build a brand that resonates with consumers. The fact that they’re doing it in the fashion space doesn’t make it any less legitimate than selling software or consulting services.

David Smith, CEO of Silicon Valley High School, commented:

“Parents tend to worry when their teen spends hours on what looks like a hobby, but the students who impress admissions committees aren’t always the ones with traditional part-time jobs. 

“The difference comes down to ownership and initiative. When a student identifies an opportunity, teaches themselves new skills, and builds something from scratch, they’re demonstrating qualities that predict success in college and careers.

“The best thing parents can do is ask questions about what their teen is building. These conversations help teens articulate the business skills they’re developing, preparing them for applications and interviews.”

About Silicon Valley High School

Silicon Valley High School is an innovative, tech-driven online institution dedicated to transforming education through personalized, AI-powered learning experiences. With a patented suite of AI tools and strategic partnerships with technology leaders like AWS, SVHS creates a secure and engaging learning environment that meets the demands of 21st-century education. The school’s mission centers on accessibility, academic excellence, and integrity, positioning SVHS as a global leader in online learning that prepares students for success in an increasingly digital world.

Sources

Joe Hebert – Complex

Gitanjali Rao – Queen Elizabeth Prize

Jordan Mittler – AMNY

Josh Feinsilber – Kick Some Class

Maya Penn – Ted