What Did You Do Before Becoming A Truck Driver?

Very interesting in all the various backgrounds. Love the stories. And thanks Brett for bumping this up. I would have never seen it. Not a trucker here yet but preparing for school at the young age of 50. I Graduated high school in 87. Got a 2 year Forestry degree from ABAC in Tifton, GA. Graduated in 90. Then a 2 year Architectural degree from Wiregrass Technical College in Valdosta, Ga. Graduated in 92. Somehow after that, I fell into the Land Surveying field and have been doing that every since with few small breaks here and there but always fell back into Surveying. I have done every thing from property research at courthouses to actual field work beating bushes, wading through swamps, dodging snakes and dealing with upset landowners to the drafting of the final survey plats. I now work for an Electrical Company doing the drafting and layout work for the underground power to various multi million dollar construction projects. I guess I'm to the point that I'm just ready to do something different in life and get out of South Georgia. I feel like I'm maxed out on my pay in this area and tired of doing the same ole thing day in and day out. I feel like the years I have of reading and drawing maps of all sorts that it will give me a slight advantage of navigating these great states of ours. I travel a good bit of the southeast now with my current company so driving and traveling is no biggy to me. I'm just ready to see something different besides the southeast. So with that said, and to conclude, I'm looking to start my CDL training and my new career after the first of the year and maybe see some of our guys out there on the road someday. Safe travels to all and take care.

I started out in the dead end retail business, and worked my way into the casino business in the 80's, 90's, and half of the 2000's. It was then I followed in all my cousins footsteps and finally became a truck driver. Something my cousins had been working on for years. I was living the good life in the corporate world when in 2005 that world came crashing in for me. Having 3 kids, a wife, and house payment made me realize I needed something out there that would sustain that living arrangement in the long run.

After a little research and a lot of questions asked to all those cousins, I found a company based training program that fit my needs. Quickly getting me on the road to a trucking career that I could make money and support my family.

There were struggles, there was a huge learning curve, but I was one of the lucky ones with a lot of support from all those cousins who helped me through the tough times.

I have found this site to be the closest to what I had with all my family. Seriously, I know it's a bit impersonal on this site as opposed to calling a family member, just remember there are no stupid questions. If you don't know, ask.

Security and armored truck driving. Not worth $15/hr

Grew up on a farm.. Milked, grew tobacco.. Worked for Hitachi automotive factory as a QA leader for few years.. Started driving at 21.. Came off road to take care of infant son for few years.. Worked as Prison guard, years waiting tables for applebees, Also Home Depot running a forklift.. Back on road.. God I feel old.. lol

I was a tree climber for twenty-five years. Owner of the company decided to retire, I had plenty of other offers, but felt it was a good time to get into something less physically demanding.

I was a tree climber for twenty-five years. Owner of the company decided to retire, I had plenty of other offers, but felt it was a good time to get into something less physically demanding.

Want to make some money topping some trees?

Navy, Offshore drilling (Canada and Gulf Coast), Cabinet making /Union finish carpenter Las Vegas, Sale specialist Lowes local East Texas/Louisiana.

Customer service, retail, fast food for about three years. Got my license, washed out with Knight, drove a trash truck for a couple years, and now I'm just about ten months into my first year.

Commercial Fisherman (scallops flounder)for 18 years 14 days in the ocean 18 hours a day went from a deckhand all the way to captain but I’m 41 now and it’s hard on my body and I’ve always wanted to drive a truck so I figured I’d give it a whirl.. so here I am I’ll entertain all advice. Thanks in advance

I'm not a trucker yet (and won't be for another 3 years unfortunately) so I am STUCK in my healthcare career for now. Been at my current job for 11+ years and extremely burnt out. I can do it another 3 years though - it pays the bills and the insurance is decent. Cannot wait to join you guys on the road!