Newbie:Excited & Nervous

Hello all! I am a newbie considering a career in the trucking industry. I have been wearing out my unlimited mobile internet plan reading and absorbing all that I can find about the industry from TT. I'd like to thank you all in advance for what you do, your honesty and candor and the invaluable info and advice you put out here that help make this a little less terrifying for newbs such as myself. Anyhow :) I'm a single mother to one and ready to tackle this head on with my dad; truck driving has always been his lifelong dream and I'm doing my best to help him realize it and going along for the ride. I'm looking forward to starting the high road training series and being one of the best prepared future students to walk into whatever cdl school I enroll in (I'm really competitive, so I'll let dear ol dad aka old man be second lol) Again just wanted to introduce myself and say thanks, I'm nervous but I'm really looking forward to this new direction my family and I are about to embark on.

Welcome to the Forum! good luck on your journey!

Welcome aboard!!

Wow, that's really cool that you'll be getting into it at the same time as your dad. I think that's the first time I've heard anyone say that and I'm diggin it. That's really cool!

And don't worry - everyone is a little nervous and very excited when they're first getting started. And I can assure you that everyone has their share of ups and downs, those first few months especially. But quitting is about the only thing that stops people from making it happen. If you stick with it, stay positive, and work hard - you'll have your CDL and be out on the road before ya know it.

Go through the High Road Training Program as you mentioned and keep reading all you can here on the site - especially our Trucker's Career Guide - full of great stuff to help you understand the industry and get your career off to a great start.

Looking forward to hearing how things go for you and your dad!

Welcome and good luck!

Good for you. I am trying to do the same thing. I am single mom trying to give my kids a better life, and show them they can do anything they set their minds too. I wish you well.

Wow you're getting into it with you're dad at the same time? How cool is that??? Everytime my parents say they want to see more of the country, I just tell them there's a way you can see the country on someone else's dime and have all kinds of new adventures daily. Just get into trucking! They always give me a weird look and shake their head. I have to remember that not everyone shares my love of driving gentle, 72 foot monsters. Oh well, what do they know right? And it's completely natural to be nervous when getting into trucking and even when you're in it. Keeps you from getting ****y and being a "cowboy" out there, Lord knows there are definitely too many of THOSE drivers out there, both truckers and 4 wheelers. And the best part about having you're dad with you on this journey is you two can compare war stories and give each other advice, and lift each other up when the going gets tough (which it will). Trucking is definitely easier when you have someone in you're corner who can relate to what you're going through. PLUS you'll be able to tell stories about what happened on the road and sound waaay cooler than those boring stories you're family will have about going to the mall or buying a new piece of furniture. They'll look at you and say "You tell the best stories!", and you'll say "You should have gone into trucking." And then they'll give you that "look" and you'll just shake your head.

You all for the Welcome!

Yea Im looking forward to it, I've had a couple jobs but nothing that is career worthy. I was in school recently(as in last week lol) but I withdrew because I just couldnt justify being there anymore. I felt like I was forcing myself to do it in order to get a degree or enough units to qualify for the "good jobs" the ones with the bennies where I could make at least a better living than what Im making now. But when I sat and thought about it I was bored out of my mind going to classes, doing homework etc to try and qualify for a job that I knew from the description that I wasnt going to like; but was willing to sacrifice if it was a means to an end to a better life. I used to work Wackmart(lol Walmart for those of yall who have not worked in that alternate universe) and was making almost $12/hr but I hated it. Could never afford the benefits even once I qualified for them, worked crazy hours and crazier schedules and worked every major holiday except one in almost 3 years time before I just had to get out. And at this ripe ol age of 28 I'm just tired of the dead end check to check bull crap. I know trucking will not be a fairytale and Im not looking for it to be. I am somewhat of a tomboy still and will always be an athlete no matter how long its been since I've been on the court but I think trucking may suit me ,much more than being a cubicle rat(dont like call center work, cashiering, lol I need to be somewhat free or else the cabin fever sets in). And as far as teaming with dad: Im looking forward to it. Doesnt mean that I might not want to push him out of a moving truck every now and then lol but it gives me someone to ride the highs and lows with and he'll be able to keep me from punching someone if the need arises lol.