Dealer program helps put Washington Uber driver behind the wheel of a Toyota Camry

Future of Work
Uber
A part-time job as an Uber driver helps provide income and family transportation. | File photo/Uber

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Sponsored Content - For Isaac King III, driving for Uber is more than just another part-time job.

It's a flexible tool that produces extra income and transportation for his family. 

"I found out about Uber through a friend who was already driving and he was making a recommendation to me," King told Washington Business Daily. "He shared how much he was making over the weekend. I needed a vehicle for my family, and I was like, you know, I could buy a car with what he's making on the weekend. So I decided that I would drive so that I could purchase a car and replace my previous part-time income by driving with Uber."

During his initial screening with Uber, he discovered it was easier than he imagined.

"They have a partner program with dealers," King explained. "I went to one of the dealers that was a part of their partner program. And it turns out that the dealership was willing to finance me. And I purchased a Toyota Camry and was on the road within a  week."

An added bonus was that his wife can use the car when he isn't.

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

King is one of a growing number of freelancers choosing to work at least part time in the gig economy.

Digital-labor platforms help job seekers, including retirees, to match skills with working conditions, allowing people to find jobs job even if they lack higher education and training and even if they have personal challenges such as family commitments, according to a 2019 research article by Valeria Pulignano.

According to Forbes, 84% of full-time freelancers say the job allows them the flexibility to live the lifestyle they prefer compared to only 63% of full-time, traditional workers.

Freelance work proved particularly valuable during the pandemic, according to the website Upwork. It reports that about 12% of the U.S. workforce took gig work during the pandemic in part for financial stability and "necessity."

Gig workers "experience high levels of work-life balance, flexibility, autonomy, meaningful feedback and creative freedom," a 2018 Gallup poll found. "In  fact, they score much higher on all these factors compared with traditional workers and other types of gig workers."

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