Kate Becker is used to babysitting 20 hours a week while balancing school in her hometown of Marin County.
Moving to Los Angeles eliminated Becker’s clientele, so she consulted the UCLA Career Center Web site in search of a job that would be sensitive to student life, Becker said.
Becker, a second-year economics student, stumbled upon University Sitters, a company that offer students flexible hours and good pay for babysitting or nannying jobs.
Becker now makes about $150 to $200 a week working for about 10 to 15 hours as a sitter.
University Sitters was founded in October 2007 by students from UC Santa Barbara and has since spread its service to Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Orange County and Long Beach, said co-founder Kasey Edwards.
According to Edwards, families prefer students because they are energetic, able-bodied and fast learners with bright futures.
There are about 20 students from UCLA that work for University Sitters, and about 60 families work with the company, Edwards said.
Jessica Schwarz, a mother from Marina Del Rey, has been a member with University Sitters for six months. She said appreciates the reliability of the company.
“I feel like every experience has been a good experience. It seems like they run a really solid business, and they are so organized, and they really know what they are doing,” Schwarz said.
University Sitters does not take any percentage of the money made by the sitters or nannies. Families pay a 30-dollar membership fee, and discounted fees are available for faculty who want to sign up with University Sitters.
“University Sitters finds families for you. It is really consistent, and I always have jobs I can take,” Becker said.
Students work as independent contractors and e-mail their hours to Edwards. Job assignments are text-messaged to the sitters so they can choose which jobs they want to take.
“It’s on a first-come, first-serve basis. Sitters can take any job they like,” Edwards said.
The company is a good opportunity for students because unlike corporate jobs, there are no limits in the number of hours to which a student can commit, and the company allows for students to move up in their positions as well, Edwards said.
Students can also be chosen for internships and work in public relations and regional management positions with the company.
“I love babysitting, and University Sitters is great for going to college simultaneously because they text me jobs all the time,” Becker said.
For more information about the service, visit UniversitySitters.com.