I have noticed at least a couple of people posting on this forum, that they have went from computer programming to truck driving. I would guess that there are many more that have made this change of career.

Can any ex-programmers share the reason why you changed careers, how was the transition, or how you compare you new career to programming?

Thanks!

That's easy. It's tough to ship a driving job off to India! I'm now making a little more than I was when I started in this field 19 years ago. We went from a shortage of programmers - to more than we needed. The new projects are often started off shore.

I'm still programming for a living, but I'm doing the research to see what it would take to make the career change. I've got the credit and savings to allow me to jump in and buy a truck - so I can get to the owner/operator stage faster than most people just starting out. It's a matter of training on the trucks and getting a handle on the business side of the matter. The independence and lack of a cubicle would make for a nice change!

My company just had a layoff. I wasn't taken out in this one, but you never know when the next one will hit. I'm planning on being ready - and hope to transition to a driving school ASAP when the next one hits.

I think both Magoo and Diesel are on the right track. I was never a computer programer, though. My career was is sales and marketing, and I retired from all that. Need to work about 4 more years or so....

Being an owner/operator doesn't necessarily pay more than being a company driver. I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from doing what he really wants, it's just that the trucking industry knows dang good and well what it costs you to operate that truck, and they will not pay you more than that amount.

So I'll make about 60K driving for someone else, or I could make about 60K (maybe) after spending 100K on a depreciating asset. See what I mean?

You're sure right on one account - your cubicle is a thing of the past!

Not sure about the cubicle part. Stay in a truck long enough and it will seem like one!

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

DieselBurps - you are right about India, even the IT recruiting jobs. I had a bunch of recruiters calling from there the past couple months.

I worked for a small telecom company in GA, and was pretty much dumped after the company was sold in Sept. Now it seems no one wants a self taught programmer with a 10th grade education, even though thats what Ive been doing the past 7 years.

Oh well, been there & done that, time to move on to another career Ive always wanted to do. The way I see it, my ### is ready for long hours in the driver seat, its had plenty of training.

Just to let ya know magoo, sitting in the drivers seat is A LOT different than sitting in the puter chair........there is no comparison.

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LuvMyHubby

I've tied a knot in my rope and I am hangin on!

I'm not a programmer, but an IT manager, been in the field for about 20 years. I can't WAIT to start my new career pulling flatbeds for Crete. I too have noticed a lot of people leaving IT for truck driving. Can't speak for anybody else, but the main reason I'm leaving is that I'm tired of being laid off every few years. As someone else wrote, it's hard to outsource a professional driving job. -Dave

luvmyhubby - I know it's alot different, for example, I never have to double clutch my computer. j/k

Seriously though, I have been preparing myself as much as I can mentally to be ready for the huge change in lifestyle and occupation. I think I will be able to handle it ok, I start school next Monday, and am looking forward to it very much.