College degree and Trucking

govols · #1 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 03:08 AM

I'm looking into Trucking as a career change...I"m 32 and currently work for a Aircraft company in Pensacola making 60K but my wife isn't liking Florida too much, misses Tennessee and ready to move back home. So, i'm looking at moving back home to Tennessee and doing somthing different. I spent 6 years in the Air Force and got out and went to College and graduated. After graduation I've done a couple of Sales jobs and was somewhat good at Sales but hate dealing with hard *** Sales managers (gotta be in Sales to know what I mean)...One thing I do know is that I love to travel. I went all over the US and traveled the world when I was in the Air Force...yes, I know it'd be WAYYY different in a truck

But, for some reason, I've always wanted to be a truck driver since I was little and am really looking into it seriously. I LOVE to travel and the fact that I'd be "on my own" most of the time is really appealing. The biggest thing for me is is that I hate to have wasted 5 long years of College. Can a BS degree, in any way, be helpful in this industry down the road?

Jobs back home where I'd be moving to Tennessee don't pay crap but Averitt is there in which I have conections getting a job driving when I got my CDL. My wife makes good money so this career change isn't really about "money" but about me being happy. She's OK with me being away but I don't want to be away for weeks at a time. Is this possible? Can a newbie drive locally or regionally and make at least 35K in which is actually good money back home? Or, do you have to "pay-your-dues" and be gone for a year or two?

Anyways, I'd appreciate any input or advice from any of you experienced truckers with a simular situation as mine...and from reading some of the forums on here, it'll be negative and will be told i'm crazy for considering this career.

SevenOfNine · #2 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 03:17 AM

You don't mention what your degree is in but and I am going to be blunt here. A degree will neither help or hinder you. Now if the degree is in business and you decide to become a owner operator down the road then that knowledge will help.

Most of your questions have been asked a few times in these forums so it might help you to read some of the past threads in this forum as well as in the General Truck Drivers forum.

And yes be prepared to hear the negatives because they go hand and hand with the positives.
Remember in the end it's what fits you and what's good for you that matters most.

Hub-City · #3 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by govols

But, for some reason, I've always wanted to be a truck driver since I was little and am really looking into it seriously.

Dream and losers don't!
I say go for it . You said it yourself, 'ever since I was little...' How long you gonna wait, man?

Will your degree help? Of course it will! Why wouldn't it? You've gone through the rigors of college and that says alot about how you'll handle the more "technical" side of driving. Plus, you'd be more inclined to own your own rig some day... I've learned that the most successful O/O are "accountants" first and drivers second! Your education certainly won't hurt you!

LITTLEB23 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 03:31 AM

I say go for it, and if you don't like it you can always do something else since you have a degree.

brtecson · #5 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 03:36 PM

I left school when I had 14 credits left to get my comp sci degree. I did it because I was driving a truck for a living and I was on pace to make 50k my first year... No regrets here :)

Drivetolive · #6 (**permalink**) 08-25-2007, 09:32 PM

A degree will give you advancement if you decide later on, too head too the dark side (management). Imagine you would into a terminal and apply for a job. There are 2 candidates one with 5 years driving experience but no degree, the other has 3 years driving and a college degree. Most likely they will hire the driver with the degree. That's not taking anything away from the more experienced driver, it's just the way it goes. A degree is something you worked hard too get, be proud of it, I am.

Take me for instance, I have less than 1 year experience. This upcoming week, I have an interview with New Penn, they usually don't hire you without a few years experience. I bet you anything they called me in for the interview because of my college and background. That's how I know for a fact, a degree is better than experience, sometimes.