Female Social Worker turnin' to Truckin'-Asking for Your Insight and Advice

Hi,

I am so psyched to find such an incredibly fine forum for someone who is just starting out. What a relief to know that there are so many people willing to share information to guide me through my new career!

Let me explain. I'm currently a Former Social Worker turning to Truckin'.

I'm just about to attend school (the 13th, for 4 weeks), and my research tells me OTR is the Best Experience, and the best money. I'm hoping that I do get a trainer the first few weeks. And, as I have given this career years of thought, I'm o.k. with the hardships that OTR can sometimes cause a driver, especially a new one.

My biggest concern is not who will sign ME, (I feel I have a good placement coordinator), but who I SHOULD go with in the beginning. While the money is always a factor, I'm looking for a company with low turnover, fair pay for a rookie, emphasis on safety, and comfortable rigs. (O.k. the last one does show I'm a girlie-girl, but a hardened social worker and long time girl scout....I'm no sissy).

My favorite part of my career, in which I spent 7 years for my education as a youngster (first one in my family to go to college, and financed it all as a hotel maid...proud that I didn't owe a cent upon receiving a masters degree), was definitely the driving. Driving with patients for Hospice, with clients with psych problems (sometimes actively psychotic, so I know how to hustle, even during hassles...ha), and to and from my client or family's homes (alone...ahhhh), up to 200 miles a day and more, when placement across the state was warranted. At this stage in my life, I'm ready to make the best money I can, and know that I am a confident, alert, and careful driver with a squeaky clean background. And I love to learn from those who are confident and have a passion for what they do.

That being said, in the next 60 days (or less), I hope to be interviewing with companies to find the best fit. If anyone has ideas, I would love to hear your thoughts on the best companies for rookies. Again, OTR is not a problem.

When I started my research, and before I go to training next week, I told myself to "Go big or go home!" So your advice here was just what I needed to hear. Thanks to the moderators for such a great site, I'll be checking regularly, and am so happy to see such a great message board. My Mom, having worked for DSL for years (Houston office, accounting) taught me that "the old masters in truck driving," are some of the finest folks there are. I hope I can be true to her memory, become one of them, and make her proud.

I'm a fourth generation Texan on her side, and fourth generation Cajun on my father's side. I guess that makes me a "Tex-jun".....though I've lived most of my life in the Lone Star State, and my heart lies deep in the heart of Texas, and always will I guess. Still, I'm proud of my Louisiana heritage, though the recession has made it even more difficult to make a living on this side of the Sabine river, especially in my field.

That being said, I'm happy to be here, proud of the career I've chosen, and hope y'all have some time to steer a rookie right. I welcome any advice on starting out, the pros, the cons, comments from other female drivers, and just any tips that will help me become a success in my "second" career.

Thanks for reading. Don't hesitate to write.

Please note that I have someone special in my life, and he supports my choice, as he does me, 100%. So I'm asking for your help thru the maze of this new world, and your professional comments will be a welcome relief to me.

Sincerely,

Nydia (as in I "need-eee-uh" your advice, wisdom, and philosophy!)

"If you are learning, you are living!"​

 

Wow. RickG...what an eye-opener. From someone who has been in this business for 35 years, I am happy you answered. It seems I have a lot more to learn than I imagined, and I imagined a lot. I would love to hot-shot...but it seemed so many here post about OTR being the best way to "get in the game." Even mentioning "sticking it out for a year or two, even if you hate it."

Thanks for your honesty, and your post. I will definitely look into what you say, and your link.

Thank you so much.....you've probably saved me a lot of time and hassle. Anybody else with similar ideas to RickG? I'm here to learn guys, and your post is exactly why I'm here.

 

To hns57:

You have very good points to make here. Fortunately, I fit the profile of the Myer Briggs, and my work for thirty years has NEVER been behind a desk, I am a tenured "direct delivery" or field worker. I woulda offed myself years ago if I had to be behind a desk.

As a worker for up to 5 counties at a time, I spent many long hours alone. It saved my sanity. As a state investigator for Elder Abuse, I had to make life-saving decisions and implement plans on my own, knowing that my supervisors would back me up later, because I was trained by the best, and because I followed the rules to the letter of the law.

Yes, I'm social. And friendly. But I am also very serious, need my quiet time desperately, and am logical, not emotional in my decisions. You don't last 30 years by being emotionally wrapped up in the lives of people that depend on you.

With terminally ill people, pyschotics (schizophrenics), and someone who testified many times on the stand to stop an abuser of an elderly or disabled person, you learn to keep your mouth shut, to deal with conflict, to problem solve. And, you better be dependable.

I appreciate what you say, but there are as many types of social workers as there are truckers. Many prefer to "push paper" behind a desk. Field workers, want to get their hands dirty, travel long distances, and solve the problem.....logically, using every resource at hand, including intellect.

I am serious about this change, and it's taken me 5 years to make it. I know many truckers, good ones, and they have encouraged me, as have people who know me personally have.

When you have been held hostage by a raving psychotic, caught in the middle of a family dispute during a patient's last days, and had guns held on you at the front door.....You get realistic...very, very, fast.

You also get tired of managing other people's lives, especially those who do not want or wish for change...and you move on.

I will consider your post more encouragement, and stand by my decision in a serious, orderly, and matter-of-fact way.

Just sayin'

Thanks, Nydia

 

Thanks 25(2)+2.

Methinks me do protest too much.

However, as I say, there are as many different people in social work, as there are in the trucking industry. Their personalities and type of work differ vastly, and they usually mix with their own, so to speak. A desk worker would never do what I did, 100's of miles away, holidays, middle of the night, crises management, life or death decisions, but God Bless 'em, we need 'em too, and I would crack under the pressure of "managing people on paper."

The first time I looked down a barrel of a .38, I almost quit for good. But I talked 'em down, got the job done, and had 'em headed to the nearest pokey for evaluation, where they spent a year institutionalized for severe psychotic episodes.

That's as "real" as it gets.....and I have many other war stories, so scary doesn't seem like my own life, but like a movie sometimes.

I started at 21...many left in the first year also. Those that are ruled by their emotions, just like trucker's who develop self-defeating behaviors, simply do not last 30 years. They run.

I'm just glad that I'm leaving while my sanity, my intellect, my sense of humor, and my knowledge of my strengths are still intact. Many of my colleagues, good ones, did not make it, due to abuse of alcohol, pills, or other damaging behaviors. Some still have hepatitis for life from contact with clients, or have been physically attacked, as have I, but did not make it. (A good deputy I worked with, took a bullet in front of me, simply because he arrived at the home first. His children, two girls, never got to see him as they grew from toddlers into fine young women).

How many truckers have seen the same, good buddies go down because of loneliness or pressures of the job?

Life is too short, and my decision to make this change has not been an easy one, nor will the learning curve be.

I'm as ready as I'll ever be. And thank God for all the experiences that "thinking on my feet" in my field have taught me. I rather think it will come in handy.

And, if I can't handle a little conflict or disagreement on the board here, I have no right to drive the roads with you guys.

Thanks again for your post,

Nydia (Need-ee-uh, as in I "need" all of your advice here on this board)

 

Thanks RickG....really good advice...I will follow up on your leads! Expediting.....I've already started my research. Thanks again!