One of the worst things that you can do is make a career choice in a short period of time. Unfortunately many people, both men and women, make a snap decision about being a trucker. This is usually because they feel they understand the basics of the job, after all, everyone likes being out on the open road and being their own boss, don't they?
The reality is that you are not going to be your own boss, at least if you are like most new drivers, for at least the first few years. Getting experience and learning the ins and outs of the industry is almost as important as getting your CDL, which is really all that truck driving school is going to provide. Yes, you will have some experience behind the wheel but it is limited to just a couple of weeks of driving, and not full time even in that period.
Trucking is a great job match for many people, but it is not always an easy career to get into, even after you attend a top school. For those that choose a school with a poor reputation or those that commit to driving for a company to get tuition covered you choices to move around in the industry and earn those top paying jobs may be limited for a few years.
While you do need to do your research on the school, which is now easy using the internet, you should also evaluate if the job is right for you and your family. Understanding what you are getting into is critical, both in attending the school as well as hitting the road after you complete the training program.
Can You Work Away From Home?
While it is possible to find a trucking job that includes day driving and weekends at home, this is not the typical job opportunity for most new drivers. Since routes with trucking companies are typically offered based on seniority with the company, getting these ideal routes in the first few years with a company is not common.
You should be prepared to work away from home, which can be an issue for people with young children, people with animals and pets, or people that just like to be in their own bed every night. In some jobs you may be on the road for long stretches of time, so you do need to be comfortable with this arrangement.
Can You Afford The Typical Entry Level Salary?
While commercials on the television may promise lucrative salaries immediately after completing truck driving school, this is not the case for the vast majority of new drivers. Most new truckers will make a basic entry level salary if and when they can get full time work with a freight company.
There is the option to lease a rig, which may provide you with more work, but you also have the added cost of running the truck. Leasing is not cost effective for many new drivers and can actually end up costing them money.
Once you get experience and seniority in a company, it is possible to make a good income. Many drivers also become owner/operators which allows you to specialize and create a market for your trucking service.
Could You Afford To Pay Tuition If Something Doesn't Work?
A great number of students at truck driving school are attending for "free". In reality they are actually paying for their school over time as they have agreed to commit to drive for the company that is paying their tuition. This can be a good option if you cannot afford tuition on your own, but there are some important things to think about.
You need to carefully read all the fine terms of the agreement you sign to have your tuition covered or when attending a company provided truck driver training program. Most will require that you pay back the total amount of the tuition to the sponsor company if you fail to pass, drop out of the program or are asked to leave the program for any reason.
Does Your Family Understand The Job?
Although this may seem a bit like the question about being comfortable being away from home, discussing the job honestly and openly with your family is critical before committing to the training. Many drivers are fine with being on the road, but their spouse or children are uncomfortable with the arrangement.
Getting a good understanding of life as a trucker will help you talk to your family about the reality of the career. Read trucker forums, talk to those in the job and be open to listening to what those that have chosen this profession have to say, they can provide amazing insight into the job's match for you.
If you are interested in attending truck driving school please visit http://truck-school.com/
By Ryan Grifford
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Grifford
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