Aspiring Teacher? More Like Aspiring Driver! TMC CDL SCHOOL DIARIES

Never would I expect myself to sit here at my desk and start writing out this introductory diary post on a trucking form, yet here I am. Excited. Nervous. Ready for this next step in my life.

I’ll start by saying I’m a young woman, mid twenties. I grew up wanting so desperately to be a middle school English teacher. It was and still is my passion to write and read, and I wanted to share my fondness of the subject and the artistry behind the wonderful English language to young people. My oh my, did that change as plans oftentimes do. I had the fortunate experience of virtually graduating University (aka walking across my living room) that May of 2020. My degree was supposed to be a Bachelors and a Masters (an accelerated program offered for aspiring teachers who were teaching foundational subjects that required you to have the Bachelors in the subject you teach.) However, I was unable to complete the Masters due to the pandemic. They were not able to give us definite answers that we could complete required student teaching courses. I decided to make the wise decision to not get my masters, which meant not having the requirements and license to teach in my state.

This bittersweet moment started to tend to the trucking embers that slowly kindled into a burning desire to become a professional driver. It started with my uncle who has and still is a driver since the early 90s. He told me shortly after I graduated that it would be a great option because the industry has been in need of drivers, and with the pandemic at the rise I wouldn’t have to worry about job security. Still, fresh out of college I wanted to find a cushy desk job and try to get some use out of this degree that felt like a waste of money at this time. I ended up working for a real estate settlement agency until surprise surprise…. a lay off because I refused their new vaccination policy.

My uncle was right. So, I turned myself over to TMC to start my new career September 26.

After reading this form, some recommended articles, and Solo’s phenomenally detailed diary, I decided, while flatbed might be a physical challenge, that I’m ready to put in a hard days work. I also always fantasized driving heavy, oversized freight one day. Maybe it’s that Napoleon complex I have, being 5’1” and all… (ha ha)

I will be attending my 3 week orientation training in Columbia, SC. My recruiter, Kelly, has been a pleasure to communicate with. She has been nothing but honest with me. She is a relatively new recruiter, so some of the questions I had she didn’t know, but was prompt with getting me an answer as quickly as she could. I also spoke to Paul, a TMC trainer on YouTube, known as White Collar Trucker who has also been a great resource. He started as a career switcher, went through CDL school at TMC, and is now a trainer.

With a CDL A permit in hand, a motor carrier atlas in the other, and a big smile on my face I’m so eager to learn the industry, get my feet wet, and get rolling -LITERALLY!!

I will update at the end of each week with an account of my experience through this entire process. Thank you again to the moderators, writers, and administrators of this website. You all are helping so much and I greatly appreciate the resources on this site.

Talk to you soon!

-Megalodon >:D

Hello and welcome! Training Diaries are a great asset for new drivers looking to gain some insight into what it takes to become a professional driver. Thank you in advance for contributing. We have a separate section dedicated to training Diaries. Perhaps one of our moderators will move your introductory post into the proper section of the forum. Best of luck to you!

Welcome!

Our very own Kearsey has a YouTube channel, which I will attempt to attach to this email, otherwise you can just copy and paste it.

https://youtube.com/c/TruckinAlongWithKearsey

She is an instructor for Prime and has a lot of videos.

Later in the day Anne will come along and give you a bunch of links for you to read. I have a hard time trying to get them lined up in a message and right now I have got to get moving and get my load into the port of Oakland to deliver this morning

Welcome to Trucking Truth!

Laura

Hello and welcome! Training Diaries are a great asset for new drivers looking to gain some insight into what it takes to become a professional driver. Thank you in advance for contributing. We have a separate section dedicated to training Diaries. Perhaps one of our moderators will move your introductory post into the proper section of the forum. Best of luck to you!

Thank you! I tried to post this in there, but there was no option for me to start a thread there? I only had access to start a thread in the general section. I’m still learning to navigate this site, so it most definitely could be user error.

Welcome Meg! I start week two of my training today. So excited for you!

Never would I expect myself to sit here at my desk and start writing out this introductory diary post on a trucking form, yet here I am. Excited. Nervous. Ready for this next step in my life.

I’ll start by saying I’m a young woman, mid twenties. I grew up wanting so desperately to be a middle school English teacher. It was and still is my passion to write and read, and I wanted to share my fondness of the subject and the artistry behind the wonderful English language to young people. My oh my, did that change as plans oftentimes do. I had the fortunate experience of virtually graduating University (aka walking across my living room) that May of 2020. My degree was supposed to be a Bachelors and a Masters (an accelerated program offered for aspiring teachers who were teaching foundational subjects that required you to have the Bachelors in the subject you teach.) However, I was unable to complete the Masters due to the pandemic. They were not able to give us definite answers that we could complete required student teaching courses. I decided to make the wise decision to not get my masters, which meant not having the requirements and license to teach in my state.

This bittersweet moment started to tend to the trucking embers that slowly kindled into a burning desire to become a professional driver. It started with my uncle who has and still is a driver since the early 90s. He told me shortly after I graduated that it would be a great option because the industry has been in need of drivers, and with the pandemic at the rise I wouldn’t have to worry about job security. Still, fresh out of college I wanted to find a cushy desk job and try to get some use out of this degree that felt like a waste of money at this time. I ended up working for a real estate settlement agency until surprise surprise…. a lay off because I refused their new vaccination policy.

My uncle was right. So, I turned myself over to TMC to start my new career September 26.

After reading this form, some recommended articles, and Solo’s phenomenally detailed diary, I decided, while flatbed might be a physical challenge, that I’m ready to put in a hard days work. I also always fantasized driving heavy, oversized freight one day. Maybe it’s that Napoleon complex I have, being 5’1” and all… (ha ha)

I will be attending my 3 week orientation training in Columbia, SC. My recruiter, Kelly, has been a pleasure to communicate with. She has been nothing but honest with me. She is a relatively new recruiter, so some of the questions I had she didn’t know, but was prompt with getting me an answer as quickly as she could. I also spoke to Paul, a TMC trainer on YouTube, known as White Collar Trucker who has also been a great resource. He started as a career switcher, went through CDL school at TMC, and is now a trainer.

With a CDL A permit in hand, a motor carrier atlas in the other, and a big smile on my face I’m so eager to learn the industry, get my feet wet, and get rolling -LITERALLY!!

I will update at the end of each week with an account of my experience through this entire process. Thank you again to the moderators, writers, and administrators of this website. You all are helping so much and I greatly appreciate the resources on this site.

Talk to you soon!

-Megalodon >:D

I tried to post this in there, but there was no option for me to start a thread there?

No worries. Maybe you need to go through a "vetting" period before you can post in that section🤷

I forget how it works.

Mega girl, don’t worry about your height. It can be advantage to be of a shorter stature because if you drive a sleeper truck, you can store stuff at the end of your bunk.

Welcome!

Our very own Kearsey has a YouTube channel, which I will attempt to attach to this email, otherwise you can just copy and paste it.

https://youtube.com/c/TruckinAlongWithKearsey

She is an instructor for Prime and has a lot of videos.

Later in the day Anne will come along and give you a bunch of links for you to read. I have a hard time trying to get them lined up in a message and right now I have got to get moving and get my load into the port of Oakland to deliver this morning

Welcome to Trucking Truth!

Laura

Hi Laura!

Thank you! I just checked out Kearsey’s channel. She has some really informative videos & I definitely can tell that she knows her stuff!

Hi and welcome!

7 years ago TODAY I hopped on a bus to CDL training and I haven't looked back since. You may be surprised to see how many of us have degrees.

My personal opinion... Bank a ton of money over the next few years then go and enjoy your life. Always keep you DOT physical up to date to make it easier to return to trucking during any breaks you may take.

A lot of the videos I made were actually from questions posted in this forum. Feel free to ask away... We are here to help. This forum helped me immensely.

Welcome!

Our very own Kearsey has a YouTube channel, which I will attempt to attach to this email, otherwise you can just copy and paste it.

https://youtube.com/c/TruckinAlongWithKearsey

She is an instructor for Prime and has a lot of videos.

Later in the day Anne will come along and give you a bunch of links for you to read. I have a hard time trying to get them lined up in a message and right now I have got to get moving and get my load into the port of Oakland to deliver this morning

Welcome to Trucking Truth!

Laura

Hi Laura!

Thank you! I just checked out Kearsey’s channel. She has some really informative videos & I definitely can tell that she knows her stuff!

Howdy, Meg !!!

Yep, Ms. Laura knows me, haha! I would've posted Kearsey's Y/T link as well, but you're good there, she beat me!!

Here ya go; awesome cache of info follows; including prep and study materials! You've got a few days, make the most of this awesome intro & our High Road Training Program ~

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Aside from her YouTube channel, her blogs and articles within Trucking Truth are stellar, as well. They ALL ARE, everyone's in here! Make a note, that Kearsey's older blogs will be penned by 'Rainy.' That's her (other) pseudonym, after a puppers she had, in the past. (She's also a published author; different pen name ~ Rhoda D'Attore ..)

Meg, we all wish you well and then some!

I tried to post this in there, but there was no option for me to start a thread there?

No worries. Maybe you need to go through a "vetting" period before you can post in that section🤷

I forget how it works.

RealDiehl, I do think you are correct; perhaps 10 posts or the like??? Sounds familiar.

Megalodon, you'll be up to ten posts and then some, before the 26th, if you'll ask away!

Mega girl, don’t worry about your height. It can be advantage to be of a shorter stature because if you drive a sleeper truck, you can store stuff at the end of your bunk.

BK, you are so spot on!! Truth be told, Laura and I argue over whom in fact is...shorter, hahaha!! It's not necessarily a disadvantage; see ?!?!?

Last but not least; TMC is very regimented. Military folks. (Are you from a similar background? Didn't see a bio.) When the signs all over say "Do Not Walk on the Grass." They mean just that. People have, and effectively will, be eliminated for breaking that rule/failing to obey that sign.

The company's mindset? If a potential driver cannot obey a yard sign, what the heck might they do if they don't care for a ROAD SIGN, in THEIR 1/2 milion dollar plus, piece of equipment ?!?!?

Makes sense!

Best wishes, gal. Glad to say howdy; see ya soon!!

~ Anne (& sometimes Tom...he's asleep, haha!) ~