According to a CNN report from last summer, 44 million Americans make money outside their regular job with a "side hustle." Carnegie Library's new Side Hustle lecture series, which launches this week, will highlight different options for joining the gig economy each week.
The sessions will feature panelists who will discuss how they've been able to monetize their free time by participating in things like driving for Uber or Lyft, selling homemade crafts on Etsy, podcasting and consulting. There are a total of four workshops in the series, taking place every Wednesday over the next month.
Wes Roberts, library services manager in workforce and economic development, said the idea for the series came from his own interest in the gig economy and an enlightening conversation with an Uber driver.
"And I thought, this is the kind of stuff I want to be able to share with people," Roberts said. "Being able to share it through people who are actually doing it made a lot of sense."
Roberts said the series is a good fit for people starting at square one.
"People will be able to learn the basics of each side hustle, what it takes to get started and then move through some intermediate and advanced topics," he said. "Like what's the future for each side hustle and how one can expand on it."
The workshops are free, but space is limited and registration is require beforehand. Child care will also be available on site. More information can be found here.
