{"id":83,"date":"2020-09-15T21:48:44","date_gmt":"2020-09-15T21:48:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sanjac.mycareerfocus.org\/fall-2020-volume-1-issue-40\/seeking-self-driven-career-try-truck-driving\/"},"modified":"2020-10-23T17:49:00","modified_gmt":"2020-10-23T17:49:00","slug":"seeking-self-driven-career-try-truck-driving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanjac.mycareerfocus.org\/fall-2020-volume-1-issue-40\/seeking-self-driven-career-try-truck-driving\/","title":{"rendered":"Seeking self-driven career? Try truck driving"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Courtney Morris \/\u00a0Photos by Courtney Morris, San Jacinto College<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam Stringer was that kid with his face squished against the backseat car window, magnetized as 18-wheelers cruised past on the highway. As a teen and 20-something, he spied the San Jacinto College Truck Driving Program commercial trucks parked at the Central Campus.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Stringer considered switching careers after 16 years in I-HOP management, he felt the magnetic pull once again: \u201cI decided, \u2018Why not try truck driving school?\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That decision, he said, ended up being \u201cvery good\u201d to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a nationwide truck driver deficit for more than two decades, the College\u2019s truck driving program puts drivers trained in safety first on the road for a stable, self-driven career.<\/span><\/p>\n

Give me liberty<\/span><\/h4>\n

Stringer numbers among many who have enrolled in the program wanting to change industries mid-career. John Stephens, co-instructor alongside Monica Cortes, said this is often a second or third career.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe reasoning behind wanting to drive a truck is very different,\u201d Stephens said. \u201cSome have always been interested and never did do it. Others retired or wanted to change jobs and decided [they wanted] to travel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also a growing field for women. In 2019, FreightWaves estimated more than 10 percent of over-the-road truck drivers are women\u00a0 <\/span>\u2014 a 30 percent increase from 2018.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Truck

Brionne Boston runs through a pre-trip inspection.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Brionne Boston, who completed San Jac\u2019s program this spring, came from the chemical plant industry. Now in her 30s, she wanted to achieve financial independence, advance quickly, and see the country. She also craved flexibility.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHome time was not really an option in my last career\u00a0 <\/span>\u2014 it was many, many hours at the job site,\u201d Boston said. \u201cI\u2019ve heard this is the best program, and in signing up, I\u2019ve found out it really is\u2026. The teachers, the equipment, everything\u00a0 <\/span>\u2014 they go to the ends [of the earth] for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Just as there are endless reasons to enroll, students have endless truck driving job options to explore.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll walks of life come through here,\u201d Stephens said. \u201cThey have their choice of schedule depending on the job they choose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike some careers, truck drivers can easily switch jobs, choosing the right cargo, vehicle, and location for them. Houston area only? Check. Tri-state region? Check. Forty-eight contiguous states? Check.<\/span><\/p>\n

And no matter what the economic climate, truck driving jobs abound. When customers need toilet paper, who else but a truck driver to transport it from warehouse to out-of-stock grocery store?<\/span><\/p>\n

Choose your adventure<\/span><\/h4>\n

Stringer graduated from the College\u2019s program in 2015. Although he maintains a safe driving record and does a physical every two years to keep his commercial driver\u2019s license (CDL), he appreciates the industry stability.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHaving a CDL is like being a doctor. You can have a job anywhere around the world,\u201d he said. \u201cOnce you have a CDL, no one can take it from you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Stringer has transferred goods statewide and nationwide. His experiences sound like Instagrammable moments\u00a0 <\/span>\u2014 from crossing the Hoover Dam to delivering produce to an Orthodox Jewish grocer in the Bronx.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe experience you get and the people you meet are awesome,\u201d Stringer said. He laughs: \u201cBut the people from Texas are the nicest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Truck

Javier Caballero checks wheels during a pre-trip inspection.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Although he now manages 20 produce trucks as an at-home logistics specialist, in his most successful driving seasons he drew a $150,000 paycheck three years straight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you make the right choices after school, you can do well financially,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m not selling a pipe dream.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Do a pre-trip<\/span><\/h4>\n

Before their routes, drivers perform a pre-trip inspection, checking the truck, trailer, and load to address any issues. Similarly, Stephens recommends doing your homework before enrolling in San Jacinto College\u2019s program.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStart getting your information about different types of jobs,\u201d he said. \u201cStart checking out companies, seeing what is available, what will fit your lifestyle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Want to shift gears in your career? Might be time to hit the road.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Take the Wheel<\/span><\/h2>\n

Want to earn your CDL? San Jacinto College Continuing and Professional Development offers Professional Truck Driver I and II (CVOP 1013 and CVOP 1040):<\/span><\/p>\n

Six-week program<\/span><\/h4>\n