A PhD Student Want To Join The World Of Trucking --any Advice, Suggestions, Recommendations, Etc.
Topic 31735 | Page 1
You're the only one who can answer if it is the right move for you. However, you won't be the first overeducated person to end up in this line of work, and your career earnings as a truck driver will almost certainly be better than you'll do as a humanities professor, given how long the odds are of getting tenure these days.
One good think about trucking is that, although there's a steep learning curve, it's very short. Within a few months you'll probably learn enough about yourself, the work, and the industry to have a sense of whether it's going to be a good fit for you. It's not like devoting many years and dollars to an advanced degree only to realize it doesn't lead where you hoped it would.
My case might sound a little strange. I am from Morocco where people drive --European Trucks. I have been in Ohio for more than 6 years now, and I am currently doing my Ph.D. in language studies; however, I have always wanted to be a truck driver, as my father is a truck driver (back in Morocco) and I enjoy driving for long distances.
Do you think joining the World of trucking is a good idea, or not, and why? I know that the pay rate is increasing now!!
Thank you!
Howdy, Abdelali!
We're in Ohio as well. We've got Chief Brody who drives for Prime/flatbed, an attorney; Mountain Matt, Wilson driver and a librarian with a degree, and many others with LEO careers, decorated veterans, et al ....driving trucks .. just to mention a few.
It's a personal decision; PhD or any other degree!
Read this, especially Brett's book:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
Welcome to Trucking Truth!
~ Anne ~
ps: If you'd edit your bio and put 'Ohio' in location, it'd help 'us' help you, in the future.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
As a former PhD student who is now in CDL school, I would give the following advice: there's no reason you can't have the best of both worlds. Having a PhD presents a lot of unique opportunities, but more importantly, getting into a PhD program is more difficult than getting into a trucking school, and it's also difficult to get back into a PhD program once you've left.
I finished my PhD two years ago, and I do consulting work (which pays the bills), but I love trucks and driving, so I just bought my first class 8 truck; I'll be doing some specialty hauling as a side job. I actually know a few other guys who are doing the exact same thing.
Only you can say what's the right career path for you, but I just wanted to share my experience, in the hopes that it may help with your decision.
AJ
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
As a PhD who is interested in trucking you must be prepared to answer the question what do B.S., M.S., and PhD mean?
Considering my recent career path,... I’ve learned to appreciate compost Piled higher and Deeper.
As a PhD who is interested in trucking you must be prepared to answer the question what do B.S., M.S., and PhD mean?
As a PhD who is interested in trucking you must be prepared to answer the question what do B.S., M.S., and PhD mean?
B******t, More of the Same, Piled Higher and Deeper :)
I have a PhD AND I won the national lottery in Nigeria!
Probably his Daycab
I have a PhD AND I won the national lottery in Nigeria!
Probably his Daycab
I have a PhD AND I won the national lottery in Nigeria!
Only half my reply was fiction.
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My case might sound a little strange. I am from Morocco where people drive --European Trucks. I have been in Ohio for more than 6 years now, and I am currently doing my Ph.D. in language studies; however, I have always wanted to be a truck driver, as my father is a truck driver (back in Morocco) and I enjoy driving for long distances.
Do you think joining the World of trucking is a good idea, or not, and why? I know that the pay rate is increasing now!!
Thank you!