After arriving in Huntsville in August, Ka’Niyah White started establishing a hair salon.
The catch? She would need to work from campus at Alabama A&M.
White’s sister, a professional hair stylist back home in Chicago, inspired her. She learned how to do leaveouts, quick weaves and wig installations. White now regularly schedules services for other students.
“Doing hair in college can be way more beneficial than a regular job because I get to set my hours, stack up cash without taxes, and build a loyal clientele that might stick with me even after graduation,” White said. “Plus, I don’t have to deal with the stress of a boss breathing down my neck. It’s also a plus that I get to do what I love while earning money for it.”
Nationally, 62% of Gen Z workers said they started or wanted to start their own business, according to a 2022 Microsoft report.
White said gig work is useful in Huntsville, where a fast-growing population can make it tough to find work. The Huntsville metro has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state, below 3%, according to federal data. Top employers are government agencies, contractors and business services.
“Huntsville’s growing, but sometimes that means competition gets tough. You’ve got a lot of people moving in and looking for work, and maybe the job market still needs to fully catch up. Plus, certain industries might be booming while others lag behind. It can be a mix of things,” White said.
Many college students want to work near school. This means many A&M students compete for limited roles at Chick-fil-A, Subway or inside the dining halls.
A Chick-fil-A cashier Shakye Barrett said it’s hard to get a job at minimum wage. Many students are turned down for openings because of their schedule and timing.
“Finding a job that pays the minimum wage is difficult, and many students in surrounding areas are turned down due to scheduling conflicts,” Barrett said.
Claire Aiello, vice president of marketing and communications for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, said local businesses regularly participate in job fairs for entry-level workers, which could be a good fit for college students.
But students said they like creating side businesses while in college to help meet their living expenses and minimize the financial strain of tuition. Some students turn to providing services such as nail care, hair styling and even cooking for others.
A&M freshman Ver’Kayla Kinnie Wilson started her own business making artistic nail designs.
In response to whether she would take a 9 to 5 job paying minimum wage, Wilson said, “I wouldn’t currently work one because I bring in more money weekly than I would working a regular minimum wage paying job, I do nails not only to make money but to make my clients feel special, doing nails for their special occasions or to pamper themselves. I make money without a 9-5 job by having deals and good set prices, staying on top of my policy, and perfecting my work.”
