Jumping from academic world to trucking industry? Can it be done?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by futuretruckertx, Jun 8, 2013.

  1. futuretruckertx

    futuretruckertx Light Load Member

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    Now in my mid 30s. Earned my Masters degree in a Social Science field way back in 2005 and feel like there is no other alternative but transitioning out of the low-paying adjunct teaching world (making only about 2k per class or 22k per year) and into the trucking profession. About to make a really really big decision by abandoning my Masters degree and leaving my previous profession. Why am I doing this now? I took a trip last year with a relative in the family . Somehow being OTR seems to really resonate with me. I also started noticing that my relative was making more money with a CDL than I was with a Masters degree. Although I do not yet have my CDL, I sorta went through some of the daily trucking procedures of having to fuel up the truck, becoming familiar with the Hours of Service rules,observing the procedures at the big truck-stops, learning to wait for 3 days at some random meat plant smelling burnt cows hair. Granted, I think this will be a difficult transition but I think I can take on the new role of a trucker.

    what do yall think?

    futuretruckertx
     
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  3. speedracer 1963

    speedracer 1963 Medium Load Member

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    when i started trucking back in 1996 i had an associates degree and understand your situation. My advise would be is go with a training company that will give you the biggest bang for your efforts and most of all ( if you dont have your cdl-a yet ) go with a trucking school that has at least 160 hrs. training because most of the companies with the best trainers wont take you on if you go through one of those fly by night /2 week truck driver schools.
     
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  4. Twicebit

    Twicebit Light Load Member

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    futuretruckertx, have you thought about hauling something besides reefers? If you hauled tankers for instance, I think you could make more money and you wouldn't have to smell those burnt cow hairs...
     
  5. tinytim

    tinytim Road Train Member

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    Sure, it can be done.

    You had a small taste of it and something about it appealed to you. Hopefully something other than the money.

    A lot more try and fail (either can't cut it or realize it's not what they were expecting) than try it and succeed. If it really seems like something you'd like then there's only one way to find out if it's a good fit for you or not.

    It doesn't sound like you have too much to lose career wise by giving it a try. I'm sure you could put your Masters to us again if it didn't work out.

    I figure the biggest question is what do you have to lose at home if you really like it. By that I mean time with the kids if you have any, social life, wife or girlfriend who likes having you around most of the time.
     
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  6. futuretruckertx

    futuretruckertx Light Load Member

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    Thanks for the encouragement. I've been researching some of the trucking schools in my area for more than a month now. I think I will re-read some of the posts on the forum on cdl trucking schools before jumping into something I will regret. Thanks...
     
  7. futuretruckertx

    futuretruckertx Light Load Member

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    Sure I would do it if I had an offer.
     
  8. futuretruckertx

    futuretruckertx Light Load Member

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    Masters degrees are no longer worth what they were 10 years ago. Trust me, I'm starting to feel that now more than ever....
     
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  9. chimbotano

    chimbotano Heavy Load Member

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    I was cheking some schools for CDL here in UT. the price between 4,000 - 5,000 cost. So, this is the route that i took. I have a couple of friends that are o/o who encouraged me to get my learnes permit, which I did. I drove OTR with these guys for about couple months and then I went to the DMV and I passed the practical test. I got my A-CDL and the endorcements. the test cost me 250.00. But that is me. If you have a relative that can help you out, probably this is the best way to do it.
     
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  10. speedracer 1963

    speedracer 1963 Medium Load Member

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    just curious, what was your GPA? and have you applied to other white collar jobs ?
     
  11. Crassius

    Crassius Light Load Member

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    Don't forget to check out Community Colleges in your area... they often have excellent programs that are half or less than the cost of a commercial school. You often won't find their programs advertised. or on web sites regarding trucking schools. Those trucking school information sites are really web pages that get paid for every student that clicks through their site to a trucking school. Community Colleges often don't pay to have students recruited for them by such trucking school sites, so call the community colleges in your area directly, or go to the community college's web pages and look through their course offerings.

    You already got good advice regarding the training must be at least 160 hours... heed that good advice.... it seems to be a widely held yardstick by the industry.

    I would encourage you to pay for your own schooling if at all possible, so you are not contractually bound to any company in exchange for their training. Avoid placing yourself in the position of indentured servitude that many get trapped into by owing a company for something they advanced to you... like schooling, or a truck on a lease.
     
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2013
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