Strategizing the long term.

Sometimes, and only from my own witnessing of events and talking with newbies over the years, there does seem to be that "lateral move mentality", that if one is making "x" amount of money at ABC job, then if I "laterally move" to XYZ job, I ought to be paid the same and respected as the same.

Each move one makes in a "lateral" position, as long as it is OF THE SAME, you can get the same money.

But when one tries to make a "lateral move" into another field, and EXPECT the same, they are sorely disappointed in the over all results.

For instance, YOU may have climbed the ladder in 7 years, and let's say you were management, and making say $50,000 a year. Ok, you cannot go to trucking and expect to make that with out moving up another ladder. (not that you did, just using an example).

 

Give me 20 or 30 years, I'll be there. Learn something new every day just to remind myself I'm alive. I'll go trailer hopping once I have a year under my belt.

 

A lot can and will happen in 1 year, let alone 20-30. In 2-30 years you could be dead. You could be married, and wished you were dead. You could easily get sick and tired of trcuking in another 6 months from now, and go back to the supermarket, and go onto a store manager.

If YOU make it to 20-30 years, I might be of the thinking you had had enough, and want out. You may only get out and feel that you need to continue driving, and want back in. Some say driving hooks you in and keeps you. Maybe so, maybe not. We each have our own thoughts of the business and how much longer we will stay in it. As my sig say, hoping to retire soon. If I were to quit today, I'd still be few SHORT years to retirement, so what do I do till then? Oh sure plenty of "other jobs" out there, but from all the years of being on the road, dealing with stupid this, stupid that, and all those stupid morons I have dealt with over the years inside of me building up, I'd probably end up in jail from murdering a co-worker that asks a customer, "you want fries with that"?

 

That's a good way of thinking Anthony. Hadnt thought of it that way. In my case my salary more than doubled, from no more than 18,000 gross to a potential 42,000 yearly. So the move can be worth it, but I put a great deal of blood sweat and tears into my move.

I come into a job field with the only expectation of, "I will have a job if I put forth the effort." So far I haven't been disappointed with using only that expectation and have even been pleasantly surprised.

Not trying to hijack the OP's thread but you may be right. I got into this telling myself it was only a steppingstone into what I really wanted to do, at that time and even still now I'm greatly interested in biomedical engineering research. I may find in six months I hate this job, and the only reason I'm staying is so I can find my school for that. In six years, I may just decide to disregard school and continue this. But, if I am here for 20 to 30 years I can assure you I will either be close to or will be the proverbial jack of all trades.

 

There will be a cut off point or point of no return some day. When you reach that point, going back to further your education will not be impossible, but harder, AND more costly. I can only suggest save up lots of money, then bail out and go back to school.

 

Still not trying to hijack, but so far that's the plan.

 

You have to put in your time kid. Get your cdl, all endorsements, then try to get on with schneider bulk or prime tanker division. Give them 2 years with a clean record and move on to a better company. If i could do it over again thats what i would do.

 

There are a lot of people who get on here, without any experience or even a CDL, and ask about the best paying jobs.

What do you WANT long term? Tankers? Flatbeds?

Start with a company that has the equipment you want to work toward.

 

Can't give you an answer if we don't know your location. Put it on your profile. Some of us know where you can start your career making $60K but only if you live in the hiring area. Doesn't help to go into details on those jobs and how to get them, then find out you don't live in the hiring area.
Sometimes we spend lots of time trying to help someone get this career started, then after 50 posts he says, "Oh, by the way, I was just released from prison after spending 15 yrs. in there." Well, now it's back to square one! Yes, he can find a job in trucking, but not where we were trying to guide him.
So, now, where is your location and do you have a criminal record and is your MVR clean or dirty?