Thought I'd share my experiences as I start a new career at 52. By this age, most people would be thinking of retirement and not starting over. I'll try to keep you informed how it goes.
Catching up
Posted 08.09.2008 at 04.55 PM by ParkRanger
This will probably be a long post just to let you know how I got here.
I have a college degree in Parks and Recreation and was actually a Park Ranger for about 15 years. I was a Law Enforcement Officer, EMT, and Firefighter. Then I joined my wife in owning and operating a retail store in a large mall for over 10 years. Business went down, rent went up, and we finally decided to close it. But at our age, and lack of any recent experience, and degrees that were older than the people who were interviewing us, jobs seemed to be lacking. We may have been able to scrape by until "retirement", but after a few months, we began to get bored. My wife is looking for the corporate jobs, but I wanted to do something that I would enjoy.
Then I started noticing all of the trucking jobs out there. I could see that there wasn't years of training, and I've always enjoyed being on the road. After messing around looking at some local stuff (delivery, courier, limo) and not getting anywhere, I explored OTR. I understand the time away from home, but I've got no kids and the wife and I don't mind the time apart. Mostly I guess I'll miss my two dogs, but life goes on. I researched companies that would pay for my training, and some commercial schools, and kept putting my application out there. The companies that would train me were ready to start me right away, so that worried me. Then I talked to a recruiter from Schneider and he recommended NC Truck Driver School at Johnston County Community College. The cost wasn't too bad but the hours seemed long, and it will be a 1 hour commute each way! But I decided to go for it. Got my CDL Learners Permit without too much problem, but for my DOT Medical card, I found my BP was a little high, well maybe more than a little. But the doc gave me some meds, and I quit caffeine, alcohol, and started meditating. A little over a week and I was fine. I'm waiting for my papers since the doc was off, but I should get them Monday. The class orientation is Tuesday.
So far things have seemed to be moving along pretty quickly, but I'm guessing it may slow down with lots of school. I'll keep you informed how things go. Let me know if you have a question or comment. Thanks for reading!
I have a college degree in Parks and Recreation and was actually a Park Ranger for about 15 years. I was a Law Enforcement Officer, EMT, and Firefighter. Then I joined my wife in owning and operating a retail store in a large mall for over 10 years. Business went down, rent went up, and we finally decided to close it. But at our age, and lack of any recent experience, and degrees that were older than the people who were interviewing us, jobs seemed to be lacking. We may have been able to scrape by until "retirement", but after a few months, we began to get bored. My wife is looking for the corporate jobs, but I wanted to do something that I would enjoy.
Then I started noticing all of the trucking jobs out there. I could see that there wasn't years of training, and I've always enjoyed being on the road. After messing around looking at some local stuff (delivery, courier, limo) and not getting anywhere, I explored OTR. I understand the time away from home, but I've got no kids and the wife and I don't mind the time apart. Mostly I guess I'll miss my two dogs, but life goes on. I researched companies that would pay for my training, and some commercial schools, and kept putting my application out there. The companies that would train me were ready to start me right away, so that worried me. Then I talked to a recruiter from Schneider and he recommended NC Truck Driver School at Johnston County Community College. The cost wasn't too bad but the hours seemed long, and it will be a 1 hour commute each way! But I decided to go for it. Got my CDL Learners Permit without too much problem, but for my DOT Medical card, I found my BP was a little high, well maybe more than a little. But the doc gave me some meds, and I quit caffeine, alcohol, and started meditating. A little over a week and I was fine. I'm waiting for my papers since the doc was off, but I should get them Monday. The class orientation is Tuesday.
So far things have seemed to be moving along pretty quickly, but I'm guessing it may slow down with lots of school. I'll keep you informed how things go. Let me know if you have a question or comment. Thanks for reading!
Total Comments 4
Comments
 | Oddly enough. . .I am also a Park Ranger going into trucking. I've worked for NPS, BOR and USFS as an interpreter but I've just about had it and need a change. Start school 8/25. Best of luck - I'll be interested to hear of your success. |
Posted 08.12.2008 at 07.19 PM by Cramer  |
| | Same here, |
| Posted 08.18.2008 at 06.17 PM by jeffers58 Updated 08.19.2008 at 05.10 AM by jeffers58 |
| |  You know, It sort of make sense that Park Rangers would like trucking. My wife pointed this out to me. At least for me this seemed to be true. Worked by myself a lot of the time, mostly in remote locations, not your "typical" 9-5 job, and didn't face the same 4 walls everyday. |
| Posted 08.29.2008 at 05.35 AM by ParkRanger |
| | I'm a truckers wife. Mine retired 6 years ago after 25 years of hauling cars. No truck driver training school he grew up on a farm learning to drive hauling milk then cattle. After a few years hauling pretty much about everything he got the job of a life time with F. J. Boutell hauling GM cars out of Pontiac Michigan. Life was good. Now he is back on the farm, where he started. The kids (5 of them) are grown, parents and Grandparents themselves life is sad. Good luck, be happy, stay safe! |
| Posted 09.07.2008 at 04.33 PM by LostIllini |
Recent Blog Entries by ParkRanger
- Going out with a trainer (11.26.2008)
- After first week at Specialized training (11.16.2008)
- I'm a Maverick Driver! (11.08.2008)
- Going to Maverick Orientation (10.29.2008)
- School's Out! (10.24.2008)
