20 years old and not sure about a career

I'm in my twenties now and always thought I'd find a career by now. Tried college once and my parents want me to go back to school but I've always thought trucking seemed like a fun job. I've always been interested in exploring and getting paid to do it just seems like icing on my cake. I don't think my parents want me to though they say it might not have job security but I don't think that will be the case. I don't really know a lot about the field though besides the everyday basics and never even so much as seen the inside of a rig so I figured what better way to learn than to find some people with experiences to talk to. How has your career treated you? What are the ups and downs? I'm just looking for honest and straightforward opinions from people who live it daily. Is trucking your #1 choice? Is there another job you wish you had? How did you get started? Im always open to learn so please feel free to drop your experiences here or in my inbox or I can even provide my email if that is allowed!

 

Trucking as a career seems best for people who seem to be more of a loner type,you spend a lot of time bye yourself although cell phones have helped out a lot.Don’t be tricked by the different cities you travel to as you really see very little of it your just picking up or dropping off and the customers place of business bathroom and docks is all your touring. I myself started when I got a job at 19 as a yard jockey at a Winn-Dixie a grocery company when I turned 21 they gave me a road test certificate to take to the dmv took the written exam and got my license and they put me to driving I worked local there for 7 years and decided I wanted to do OTR .Driving over the road is very hard on a young family as it leaves all the responsibilities of the children house on the wife.But if you’re single as I was it was fun for me( for a while) but after about 2 years I decided I wanted to have a different life with friends family and a social life so I found a local job again.all in all it’s not a bad job you are regulated very much and it one of the few careers where you can get yourself in trouble doing your job wit the authority especially if you have an crash and injuries happen or even kill somebody lawyers love to go after trucking companies is it a risk you want to take on as a career where you could be a electrician make the same money with less risk

 

Oh makes sense so what do you do now?

 

I still drive work locally for truck stop hauling fuel.

 

Oh okay cool thank you

 

Well, you came to the right place. Years ago, we didn't have this luxury, and was mostly trial and error. I think for a young SINGLE person, trucking can be a rewarding career, but its not like you are on vacation, there are certain things you must give up. Family, friends, religion, it's a lonely life. Social media has closed the gap there, so you aren't really alone, but you can kiss family gatherings goodbye, if that's an issue.
Best way to get in "cold quarter", is to go to a company that will train you and hire you. Private schools do an okay job, but many employers I've heard, won't recognize some schools, and a company has a vested interest and many times, you can work off the schooling costs.
Another thing to consider, is what type of trucking. Generally, 3 types, local, home every night, regional, maybe an overnight or 2, and the biggie, OTR, never home, the truck is your home, all with demands of their own. You can do okay, its one of the few jobs you can basically walk into with no experience, and remember, trucking is not a one size fits all, like some jobs. Research is the key. Good luck.

 

Yep single so wont be an issue lol and ok makes sense ty

 

This will be a perfect career for you. Tell dispatch you want a load to miami. Then chill out on beech for a few days. Then tell them to send you to Colorado. Park truck. Spend couple days sking. Shoot over to Wisconsin watch a Packer game.

 

That does sound fun lol

 

Note that....right now....& for the foreseeable future....the trucking world is in a recession.

Basically, there are too many trucks & drivers....chasing too little freight.

Seemingly, everybody got into trucking during covid -- because there was a higher demand for freight back then.

That demand has since faded. But the drivers & the resulting overcapacity have since largely remained in place.

Also: a lot of job ads that I saw routinely 2+ years ago...are now gone.

As a result of all the above -- A LOT of the usual "starter" carriers, who normally hire drivers with no previous experience (like you) -- & train them to drive -- now instead want 3 - 6 months experience (or even more) from elsewhere. Or they have simply switched to hiring teams -- which I would NOT recommend at all for a brand new CDL holder.

When the above will all pass us by -- for now....is anyone's guess.

Your takeaway: your entry into the industry is likely to be harder than it otherwise should be.

Most trucking jobs for less experienced drivers will keep you away from friends, your girlfriend/fiancee/wife/family, social activities, family activities, & the like -- because you will be gone....A LOT.

Thus -- trucking is not just a job -- it is also a lifestyle.

If you think you would later like a more normal life -- instead, consider being an electrician, or maybe HVAC work.

College...or an education from a 4-year university curriculum -- now is generally FAR too expensive, for what you get in return.

A job/career that you get from a tech school is a much better investment; you get to earn a living without graduating with all that college debt.

Think about it....

-- L