Is driving for me? Offered a job

Ben,

I can tell you that you have to find your own way. That being said, you have to ask yourself some hard questions.

1. Do you like working retail? If so, Why? If not, Why?
2. What about trucking interests you? Is it just the pay?
3. Can you deal with long hours, hard work, and what appears to be a thankless career?
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years? ect.

If you answer those HONESTLY, I believe you will find the right path.

I spent close to 60k of my own money as well as who knows how much of the the Governments money to acquire a B.A. and two Masters Degrees. The best job I had required none of those and I made 50K on the slow year and almost 70K the best year. After my MBA the best job I could get paid 36,500 annually. I was DUMB to have left but I did not see that the route I chose was closed off to those from a Non Ivy League School. So i paid the price and here I sit unemployed about to make a leap into a profession I have had my eye on since the first time I saw Smokey and the Bandit. I know that it was just a movie but just like Top Gun and Navy SEALs, it made a career seem like trying. I joined the Navy (Thank you Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, and Charlie Sheen!), and I am better for it. Life is not a path, it is a journey. Make it fun!

Hope you got something out of my rambling.

 

Nowhere in there was any clue if driving is for you or not....however.Retails close. Everybody produces trash.....

 

Based upon the evidence in your post, I am certain I know which company you work for in retail. I had the exact same ambition as you, and progressed as far as Asst Manager at $38k. What I can tell you is that it will not be a bed of roses, and the stress levels are probably as high or higher than trucking. You will be working 50 to 60 hours per week, you will walk more than ever to the point of foot problems, and you will endure unbelievable grief from the Co, Store Mgr, and your associates and department managers. Would trucking be better for you? It just depends on the individual. If you don't handle stress well though, take the garbage truck job.

 

Heck if he doesn't take it, I will!

 

Go for the garbage truck job. You will be much healthier than sitting behind a desk & listening to employees whine. While you're with the garbage business, study for your tanker/hazmat endorsements & with those you can move up to the $50K - $60K + income bracket with tanker company later. The opening page of this website has some practice tests for those endorsements.

 

$10 hr in today's economy is tough. If you can make $16 or more go for it. Every little bit helps out. Check out going to a state technical school. Like this one. http://www.ttcshelbyville.edu/ The cost is low compared to college. You could learn a skill going to a school like this one. People who learn a skill such as industrial maintenance. They make far more than people with a degree from college. An industrial maintenance tech. makes around $28/hr. Don't sell yourself short with these $10.hr jobs. Set your goal ,do your research, stay confident. You can do a lot better!! God Bless!!

 

I was in almost the exact same boat. I worked in retail as an assistant manager and was going to just stick it out and move up the chain. I will say that where I worked, I was miserable because of my co-workers. I got along with most but since there were only about 10 of us working there, when you don't get along with just a few, it takes its toll. Eventually I got tired of kissing corporates butt, kissing customers butts, making everyone happy but myself. I also was making a little over $10 an hour full time. Then my fiance brought up truck driving to me and I was really hesitant at first. We were going to do OTR so that meant leaving my family and friends, and the stability of my "career" in retail. But, I decided it was best and left. I couldn't be happier!! Its so nice to not have to report to someone every single day about every single thing you did or didn't do (except dispatch, which isnt as overbearing) and to not have to work with the public. I am so much happier now and making much more money. I am so glad I did it. Now, your situation is a little different because you're d

 

Oops... Cut me off... Driving a trash truck. Any decisions have to be your own but I thought it might be helpful to share my experience. Good luck in whatever you decide!

 

After 20 years of driving when my last driving company closed I went back to school for computer networking and spent the last 13 years working as a business analyst and project manager. Now back driving. I was lucky enough to land a local linehaul job with weekends off. $ is not quite as good but I am much happier with more job options and easier to relocate.

Are you losing that much if you leave the retail position, try something else and go back to retail, either with your former company or somewhere else? I would recommend trying as many jobs as possible until you find the one you really like. Money isn't everything and going to work with a smile is worth much more.

Good luck with your decision.