Have you reached in point in your current career where you feel ready to make a change and try something new? Changing your career and starting afresh can be a liberating experience, especially if you have been working a job that you dislike for many years. Giving yourself the opportunity to explore other options and decide on the perfect career choice can bring many improvements into your life and make a significant difference. But, knowing which career to choose out of the many different possible jobs available can be a challenge. One excellent option to consider for your career change is working as a truck driver.
Here are some of the reasons that working as a truck driver could be the right career choice for you:
Escape From the Office
One of the main reasons many people choose truck driving careers is the flexibility that the role offers. If you have spent years working nine-to-five or are bored of being stuck in the same office looking at the same four walls each day, making a change and starting a career that offers more freedom is an excellent choice. Having the freedom to get out onto the open road and work independently is a great feeling when you are tired of working in the same place every day. Being able to see different places and work different hours to accommodate your schedule brings so much more flexibility to your life and makes a change from the monotony of other jobs.
High Demand
There are not many employment sectors considered to be in high demand nowadays, but one that seems to be consistently in need of new recruits is the logistics industry. Truck drivers are in high demand, as a shortage of truck drivers continues to be a problem throughout the country. This continued demand for truck drivers is positive news for anyone looking for a long-term career change. So, working as a truck driver should help you to gain a secure career that enables you to benefit from a steady income.
Lots of Variety and Opportunities
Working as a truck driver opens up a range of opportunities for you to explore further. Once you have your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), you will be able to explore the different options available to you and decide which appeals to you the most. If you prefer to have more flexibility in your daily schedule, you may choose to work for a logistics company that operates on a regional level. Working at a regional level will mean your trips should be shorter, and you will be away for less time.
As well as looking for traditionally employed truck driver jobs in transportation companies, you could consider working for yourself. Buying your own truck and working on an owner-operator basis will enable you to work independently as a contractor. Working as an owner operator truck driver could give you the opportunity to work as a small business and have greater control over your career and earning potential.
Are there risks for truck drivers?
With any industry, there are risks that come with the job. Even an office job can pose risks! One of the most important things when choosing a career in truck driving is to make sure that you are aware of the risks and common injuries sustained in truck accidents and how you can best avoid them.
Making sure that you have plenty of training is a must, but you can also do qualifications above the standard ones, like a first aid course. Of course, driving distracted is always a problem – and something to avoid. But there are other things like eating well to support your body’s needs and making sure that you stretch when you’re on breaks.
And even if you have been doing the job for a while, it is important that you stick to all of the beginner’s checks that perhaps you have let slide!
With the right checkers, regular rig inspections, and making sure that you only drive when you are well enough (and awake enough) to do so, are just a couple of things you’ll need to keep an eye on. Driving for a career carries some risks – but so does almost every occupation, and most of them aren’t as freeing as truck driving!