If you are looking for a career that has opportunities for growth and even the possibility of starting up your own company, then you may want to consider a career in trucking. This is a lucrative career that pays well and offers job security since the transportation of goods is a vital part of our economy and always in demand.
Table of Contents
Types of Trucking
There are several different types of trucking that you can get into.
- The first thing you’ll probably be transporting is non-perishable goods until you gain more experience.
- There are flatbed trucks that require more experience since they are open, and the goods or machinery need to be secured properly.
- Refrigerated trucks are used to transport food items and other perishables.
- Tanker trucks haul liquids, some of which can be hazardous, which may require more experience or an increase in pay.
- Hopper bottom trucking is another option that is used to haul bulk grains, stone, or other loose materials. The truck has a hopper at the bottom that is used to release the material for easy delivery.
Requirements
If you feel that trucking would be a good career for you, you need to fulfill the requirements. The first is to get your CDL, or commercial driver’s license. This can be obtained through your DMV.
You should also enroll in a trucking school. A typical school lasts about 7 weeks. Many jobs offer reimbursement of schooling expenses once you commit to employment. There are also options for financial aid.
Once you finish your training, you can begin to look for jobs. There are trucking jobs available with short trips allowing you to be home every day, or you can opt for longer cross-country trips requiring days or weeks on the road. Because this is such a high demand job, you’ll likely find many job opportunities and secure employment easily.