Prospective Driver Looking to Learn More

stay in school!!!!

Get you degree and do something positive with your career and life!!!!!!

 

You have several things that you need to consider and I'll key you in on a few-Do you have common sense? May sound like a stupid question however when being on the road for several weeks at a time in various parts of the country you will need to know how to adapt to all types of situations. Can you sit and drive for 10-11 hrs at a time? What is your time management skills like? Can you add and subtract? Truckers have to keep logs, deal with difficult personalities, sometimes physical labor, be away from home, manage their finances, deal with spouses, girlfriends and/or whatever else you're into. Before you begin to get all the good info from the old pros on this site answer those few questions and then begin to google different companies. Also be willing to take constructive critisism because it will be the difference in returning to your loved ones. Hopefully this helps and yes since you've heard it before--STAY IN SCHOOL!

 

You've found the best resource, just keep reading the forum...If this is what you want to do, GO FOR IT, don't let others discourage you...

 

Wait till you are 21. You will go to a truck school and get your license just to find out no one will hire you locally (you cannot leave your State lines in a commercial vehicle until you are 21). Go to a community college and get your G.E. out of the way. English, Math and History skills will always serve you well in whatever field you will enter. Again, wait till you are 21 to join this industry.

 

Ok, 1st: What you want to do is what you want to do. Not what someone else says you should do(IE: stay in school, don't become a trucker, etc).

Now you want to get a degree that supports your dream of trucking? Business management would be my thought. Try and get a background in time management and mechanical as well.

You'll probably need to pay off the student loan and won't have ton of start up cash, so you'll probably need to be a company driver 1st. This is a good way to get your feet wet and see if trucking is really for you. If it isn't, you still have that degree to fall back on, right? No offense, lot's of folks are in love with trucking until they spend a year or so out on the road.

Now, you've got a couple years under your belt and still love trucking? Become an owner operator (not a lease operator). Save up some cash, buy a rig and either run for self or lease back to a company.

That's a rough outline of the route. Look, if there is something you want to do be it trucker, teacher, or (shudder) politician, don't let anyone talk you out of it. Do the research, make sure it's what you want and go for it. Please remember, federal law requires you to be 21 before driving a commercial vehicle interstate. You can get a CDL-A at 18, but can only drive within your state.

Best of luck,
Pal

 

Something else occured to me. You may need summer jobs to help with schooling and want to work in the trucking industry to further your goals. Look into septic, dump trucks and concrete trucks. You won't be able to drive them until you get a CDL but they often hire helpers and it can give you some decent exposure to the rigs.

 

Its good that you wanna go to school first, go for something that you think you might want to do and that not only pays good but there is a demand for.

Other then your idea, I would recommend a business degree in logistics.




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