Should have gone to college

Yup. Most jobs the require a college degree also want 2-3 years of experience specific to the position you are applying for. And once you have a degree, the jobs that don't require a degree don't want you cause you are over qualified. That's what I've been running into after graduating in '09.

 

I would suggest that most people get their education, if at all possible. You can drive a truck and still work on your degree. A degree can offer you options. Many colleges offer online or independent degree programs.
You can take or two classes at a time and before you know it you will have your degree. Having a degree can give you greater confidence and open doors for you should you decide to do something away from trucking.

You can go driving school and get your CDL in only a few weeks. Once you have your CDL you can work for a carrier and within a few weeks to a few months you can be earning a very good living. In fact, after only a few weeks can earn as much or sometimes more than many college graduates after 4 years of school.

Live is too short to work at a career that you don't enjoy. If you enjoy driving then you have good job security and have the knowledge that you can earn an above average income as long as you keep your mvr clean and can pass the dot physical. Many professions require you to retire at a certain age. Some will terminate or lay off employees when they reach a certain age. Getting older is an asset in this industry.

I don't know of anyone who enjoys everything about their jobs. No matter how much you love what you do for a living, there will be times that you don't like things about your job.

I find it amusing when people talk about the poor pay in this industry. I suppose if they didn't have that they would find something else to complain about. There aren't many professions you can enter and start out making $30-35,000/yr and be earning over $40,000+/yr after a year or two. Complain if you will, but that is still a good income. If you are not happy with the pay then you should look for something else to do where you can earn a better livelihood.

You will spend at least 1/3 of your life working. It is much better if you find something to do that you enjoy. We excel at things we enjoy.

 

You will work more hours trucking, or at least as many. 14 hour days are common. Working 7 days a week is common. Getting out of the bunk and driving at any hour of the day is necessary.
Food will cost you money on the road as well.

 

Keep me informed how it works out for you. I will either be going in May or June depends on when the layoff starts.

 

I got into trucking because I was sick of my desk job.
At least in this career I feel like I'm actually doing something productive and meaningful instead of just shuffling papers around.

 

I consider trucking a trade,.....

 

I was in one of those high paying trades. I was a licensed union journeyman sprinkler fitter. Company truck and the whole nine yards. 11.5 years in the trade with the same company. Bottom dropped out of construction and I got laid off. Long story short I get to start a new career that I always wanted to do. My family couldnt be more excited and that is good enough for me.

 

It wasn't that way before the economy crashed, but now that it has, employers have become really picky and don't hire without experience. I know, I've been looking for a job since Dec. 2009 when I graduated. I've got a double major, a respectable GPA, held leadership roles in student organizations related to my majors, worked part time for campus housing while going to school, and can't find anything since I don't have that 2-3 years experience.

Most of my friends with degrees are either going back to school for something in the health care field, are working commissioned sales positions and not making anything, or were finally able to land a menial job in the food service industry, etc.

Going to college can be a good thing, but make sure you go to school for something that's always going to be in demand, like health care. My majors of real estate and criminology were both in demand before the economy went south, but not so much nowadays.