(Sponsored Content) -- Isaac King III says being a part-time Uber driver in Chicago affords him employment, flexibility and other opportunities, without needing special skills.

Uber, like many other gig economy work opportunities, has low entry barriers to enter the workforce. Digital labor platforms foster diversity in employment because they allow a variety of workers to accept jobs that match with their skills and work preferences. Gig work can provide employment to those without higher education or specialized training, as well as those with family concerns, other commitments or who are not seeking long-term employment, sociologist Valeria Pulignano reported in  “Work and employment under the gig economy.” 

Some, like King, work a full-time job and pick up gig work in their spare time to make extra money.

“I decided that I would drive so that I could purchase a car and replace my previous time income by driving with Uber,” King said. He worked with a dealership that has a partner program with Uber, purchased a Toyota Camry and “was on the road within a week,” he said.

King says the job with Uber and the resultant car purchase, paid for with money earned driving with the ride-hailing service, was a "win" for both him and his wife.

“My wife had been borrowing her parent's car for grocery shopping, and she was really wanting to use her own car and not have to keep asking. So that was a win for both of us,” King said. “Then she was happy to have her own vehicle during the day because I work full-time during the day, so she could do what she needs to do during the day. And I drive in the evenings and weekends.”

Flexibility is another benefit that gig work, like driving for Uber, offers workers. 

Forbes reports that 84% of full-time freelancers say their work lets them live the lifestyle they want, versus 63% of employees in a traditional workplace. The report also states 42% of freelancers couldn’t work a traditional job due to life circumstances.

The pandemic created an increase in gig work, even as it created barriers to traditional employment. As work places closed, gig work opportunities opened up.

About 12% of the U.S. workforce began taking gig work during the pandemic, out of financial necessity, Upwork reported in 2020. 

The gig economy can provide more than a side hustle, however, as global analytics firm Gallup reported in 2018.

“Independent gig workers (such as online platform workers and independent contractors) experience high levels of work-life balance, flexibility, autonomy, meaningful feedback and creative freedom. In fact, they score much higher on all these factors compared with traditional workers and other types of gig workers,” Gallup stated in the report.