Truckers are an absolute necessity, transporting everything consumers use on a daily basis. As such, the industry has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, with truck driver jobs always available to the right candidate.
Truck driving can be an ideal career path for the right person. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 3,000,000 professional truck drivers nationwide, yet driver shortages still exist.
What Makes Truck Driving a Good Career Path?
There are many reasons to consider becoming a truck driver. It may be the fulfillment of a once childhood ambition to ride the road in a big rig. You may long to escape from the traditional nine-to-five corporate grind, or to get out and see the scenery and get paid while you do it. Here are a few reasons truckers get started:
- There are a variety of truck driving schools where anyone with the aptitude and desire can learn to handle a big rig in only about three weeks
- Average tuition costs generally run somewhere between $2K-$4K
- Compared to typical college tuition costs, this is a small price to pay for entry into a fairly well-paying profession
What to Look for in a Truck Driving Company
Most drivers are long-haul, over-the-road operators, who are typically away from home for weeks at a time. Other truck driver jobs, like those at Domenico, involve little time away from home, as in the case of regional carriers making deliveries within a smaller radius to their home bases.
Before jumping into truck driving as a career path, make sure you are a person who is okay with being alone in your cab for long periods of time. Some people can find this a source of depression and fatigue. Also, consider the needs of your home life. If you have people waiting for you at home each day, driving for a regional outfit that has you home most nights is a big plus.
The best truck driving jobs are with companies that:
- Have steady, consistent freight deliveries
- Offer higher pay and can provide consistent amounts of work
- Are experiencing a low turnover rate
- Are working to make the driving experience more agreeable, i.e., good benefits, few nights away from home, top quality rigs, etc.
With suitable experience and a clean record, you’ll have the advantage of being able to drive for a top quality carrier that properly values your important contribution to their success.