New driver

Hi guys, I am sure this stuff has been asked before but I am going to ask again anyway since I couldn't find it if it was. I currently live in MT and have been looking at trucking for a while. I turned 20 not too long ago and am aware of the 21 age requirement for interstate. Does Watkins hire people for Intrastate driving or no? I am trying to get all my ducks in a row and be ready to rock and roll once I get done with CDL school. I have already got the ball rolling on that and will hopefully be going to SAGE in Missoula. I am waiting to hear information and have a feeling I may have already missed out this year for classes but I will await and see. I have heard from some people who were interested in WS that if the person interested goes to a school that they will likely be hired right afterwards. If I need to be 21 for WS would it be likely I could pick up a position right out of school driving a fuel or grain truck or something of the sort until next summer? I did notice this:

"Tractor-Trailer Driver Externship:

This program includes 150 hours of classroom, lab and driving instruction presented over five weeks at SAGE. Following CDL training at SAGE, the student is provided an additional 150 hours of hands-on lab and truck driving experience over a five week period at a motor carrier approved by SAGE. In total, this 10 week program provides hundreds of hours of actual driving instruction behind the wheel of a tractor trailer, and virtually all externship training is employer-paid driving time while at the carrier. This program also provides each student an excellent opportunity to make a smooth transition from instruction to employment with a reputable motor carrier that has pre-approved each student successfully completing the externship. Not available at all schools."

​

Has anyone done this externship program before? Just so you are aware I am paying for this out of pocket with wages that took me a very long time to get together. No help from parents or anyone else. I am not like my peers who spend all their time drinking and acting like a bunch of clowns. I am not here to waste my time or your time. I have been a volunteer firefighter for 2 years and have had a chance to drive some of the big engines and tenders and enjoy being behind the wheel quite a bit and I enjoy getting to travel. I am not one who likes to have grass growing under my feet.