Is my degree worth anything in this?

Yeah, I know in these days, a college degree is almost like a high school diploma. Someone made a comment to me along the line of "You have a college degree, why would you want to do THAT?" Kind of dis-heartening. What this person does not understand is, my degree is pretty useless anyway (BA in Mass Communications!). I have been working as a shipper most of my life. Some of you out there are making a better living than me! I am curious, how many "college grad" drivers have you run into out there? What was their story? Did they have a desk job they got sick of, or was it more of not being able to find something?

Based on all the great threads here, I have discovered that trucking requires map reading, trip planning, fuel calculations etc. Nothing to shrug off by any means!

And finally, would a prospective company even consider my degree? I am not expecting anyting from it, just curious.

thanks!

 

I hang my degree (English Literature) in my bunk. It helps more than most realize. I craft magnificent memos, notes, internet postings, directions and am able to speak in fluent English unless I am in the South or extreme North where proper English is not acceptable.
The answer to your original question is a resounding "YES"....but only you will know it.

 

You're intelligence is a big plus because you may run into opportunities within this industry that will allow you to possibly move up the ladder into a dispatch environment or logistics or whatever.

 

Well, I disagree about the south using improper English. I think that most of us understand how to properly structure a sentence. We may talk a little slower, but that doesn't mean that our minds work any slower than anyone else.

There are many drivers who have degrees. I have run into quite a few who have advanced degrees. Some are relevant and others are not. I don't really know of any specific degree that would be relevant to this industry other than something in business. Whether you can use your degree or not, I think that a degree is worth the effort and time. I am not sure that it is worth the current cost. You don't need to have a degree to be successful in this industry. If you strike up a conversation with another driver, it might surprise you at their level of education. In fact, the radical looking guy sitting in the corner with a scruffy looking beard my be the guy with the doctorate. Common sense and the ability to read, write and communicate, are the most valuable traits or skills to have in this business.

 

Yes G-Man....I am from NC, live in TN and I can speak English. (You've been handing out some great advice BTW...I appreciate you for taking the time to do that)

 

I have a BA in English Literature. Im driving truck. Nice to say that I got it but there is no use for it.

 

well the job is specific skill set uneducated as well as educated are all quite capable of
our dispatchers are required to have degrees and can not do their jobs or at least mine can't

 

3 degrees. Started driving as a temp. job and next thing you know..........

 

I would think that a degree in Mass Communications would come in handy when you are trying to talk on the CB at the truckstop!

 

Pretty sure "where all the white wimmens?" doesn't qualify.....just a guess....