The gig economy is here to stay. Currently, freelancers account for nearly 34% of the workforce, and by 2020 it’s estimated that number may grow to 43%. Because of this, companies are looking for ways to recruit and retain talented individuals, or poach them from competitors. Ridesharing giant, Lyft, is hoping its new education initiative will give them a leg-up over companies like Uber and Sidecar, by helping its drivers further their education and save some cash in the process.
Lyft partnered with Guild Education, a female-founded startup that helps companies offer college education and tuition reimbursement to its workforce. Under the new initiative, Lyft drivers would have access to tuition discounts at thousands of instutions in Guild’s network to earn a GED or college degree online. Even better? Drivers could also receive up to $5,920 in federal financial aid while saving from 5% to 20% off their tuition bill.
The company hopes the program will not only help recruit high-quality contractors, but will also ensure the drivers they currently have — 47% of whom do not have a college degree, according to an internal survey — remain loyal to Lyft.
“We know that many Lyft drivers are working to achieve personal or professional goals, which often include continued education and learning,” John Zimmer, Lyft co-founder and president, said in a statement about the new initiative. “We’re happy to offer this resource to help drivers succeed both on and off the platform."
To qualify for tuition assistance, drivers must complete 10 rides in the current or previous quarter before being able to enroll in the program and 10 rides per month to stay in it. Zoe Weintraub, who’s in charge of direct sales and corporate partnerships at Guild, called the requirement a “low bar.”
While Lyft’s education program may help many of its drivers, ridesharing companies have come under fire for not extending further benefits and protections to their workforce. In fact, according to NPR, Lyft has commissioned an audit of the education program “to assess if it exposes the company to new legal claims that workers are employees, not independent contractors.” The verdict according to Lyft’s lawyers? It doesn’t. Though it could save drivers thousands of dollars, the education discount wouldn’t qualify as compensation and would not change a driver’s status from independent contractor to employee.
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This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.