Truck Drivers And College Degrees??

... that is 3 years of time I won't be able to truck. And truck driving school is only a few weeks. I know their isn't no degree in "trucking" but what would be similar to it that would help my resume?

Mason, others have pointed out benefits of a military experience. Here are some parts of a military experience that don't get "listed" but you probably can't get anywhere else when you are 18, and just out of high school: working in a large organization; dealing with superiors and supervising others; responsibility and care of valuable equipment; for some, this is new: working and living on your own.

I was honorably discharged in 1975. In all this time, I have seen the difference a military experience makes. When someone gets on Trucking Truth to complain how a company "screwed" them, I promise you, they have never worn a military uniform

Yes, this is a long commercial for military experience, but you'll get "priceless" experience, making your hitch a worthwhile education for getting on with the rest of your life. That's something worth having on your resume. And they pay you for this education!

Here are some parts of a military experience that don't get "listed" but you probably can't get anywhere else when you are 18, and just out of high school: working in a large organization; dealing with superiors and supervising others; responsibility and care of valuable equipment; for some, this is new: working and living on your own.

Great points Errol. There are so many tangible and intangible life skills gained from military service.

Mason, If you're the right type of person you can't beat it! You would become a very "worldly" young man in a very short amount of time.

Put the brakes on....

Before you decide on the military ask yourself these things.....

Do you like being around strong-headed types most of the time. Some guys in the military are cool, but some can be downright arrogant(Think: Chet from Weird Science.) However in a battle they will have your back. Do you mind moving around the country when they ask you to? Upside you get to travel. Can you take orders and like being on a team? Some people like their independence. Can you handle shooting bullets and having bullets shot at you? It may sound badass, until you lose your legs from a grenade. Not cool. Upsides are a healthy pension, respect, and being set for your life if you can make it to your full 20.

The military is waiting for you.......

There is no such thing as friendly fire. remember that.

Do you like being around strong-headed types most of the time?....Do you mind moving around the country when they ask you to?....Can you take orders and like being on a team?

All sounds like trucking to me. I think the lack of understanding about "being on a team" is one aspect of trucking that really hurts a lot of drivers. I think the fact that you're out there alone all the time and you're the one actually hauling the freight makes a lot of drivers feel like they're the only one that matters and they can say and do as they please. You find out in a hurry that if you don't know how to get along with the rest of the team - mechanics, dispatchers, load planners, safety managers, etc - you're not going to get anywhere in this business. You might not feel like you need those people most of the time when you're driving down the highway, but you sure will if you'd like any freight in that trailer and money in your paycheck.

In all this time, I have seen the difference a military experience makes. When someone gets on Trucking Truth to complain how a company "screwed" them, I promise you, they have never worn a military uniform

Excellent point. The thing is, truckers have absolutely no authority over anyone. It's a tough position to be in because you're out there risking your life and working your *ss off but quite frankly nobody cares very much what you think about anything. When you get loaded or unloaded, which loads you get assigned, whether or not DOT writes you a ticket - you're pretty much going to sit back and take what they give you. Being in the military will help anyone learn to be humble, shut up, do what you're told, and don't cry about it. Because I promise you, if you don't have the ability to take the good with the bad and roll with the tough times you won't survive a week out there on the road.

Thanks guys! I guess I will graduate high school, go into the service for 3 years, then get my CDL and start my career. Trucking and the Navy Seals are the top 2 things I want to be. I can always go back to the other and switch off every few years or so, I guess.

I'm going to echo the others who suggest the military. The motor vehicle operator courses for the different branches would give you the hands on experience to be a good OTR driver and if you go Marines (OORAHH!) or Army, you'll get valuable off road driving experience if you decide to drive dump, log truck, or even DNR fire fighting equipment. Plus it'll be a life changing experience that will benefit you no matter what career choice you make. Good Luck!!

Put the brakes on....

Before you decide on the military ask yourself these things.....

Do you like being around strong-headed types most of the time. Some guys in the military are cool, but some can be downright arrogant(Think: Chet from Weird Science.) However in a battle they will have your back. Do you mind moving around the country when they ask you to? Upside you get to travel. Can you take orders and like being on a team? Some people like their independence. Can you handle shooting bullets and having bullets shot at you? It may sound badass, until you lose your legs from a grenade. Not cool. Upsides are a healthy pension, respect, and being set for your life if you can make it to your full 20.

Say, T.W., you a vet? I'm just asking.

OP, I think the trade of a mechanic would probably be the best compliment to a career in driving.

My thoughts on higher education.

College degrees simply do not warrant their cost, time and sacrifice. Especially liberal arts degrees, which i think should be viewed as more a luxury of the upper-middle class or wealthy, because most other folks will go into debt in order to get their degree. $50,000 + would be far better used towards a 401k than a piece of paper on the wall that very well might not even produce a career that will support a family. Far less could be spent on a trade than a college education, and a trade will better ensure being able to put food on the table for a family. Want edification and enrichment? Get a library card. There are some undergraduate degrees that will pave the way for a better financial future, but the outdated consensus that a college degree will give somebody a well paying career is simply that - a tired and old adage.

My thoughts on the military.

Many of my family members are veterans. I was taught to always thank a vet for their service, which I still do to this day. However, I would never encourage my children to join the military. I would never encourage anybody to join the military. The "fine print" is that there are many who suffer with PTSD (I have witnessed more than one family member suffer), not to mention that "ultra fine print" that you could be killed in action. This is not meant to be disrespectful to any veterans or active members of the military. I personally would not be inclined to take up arms or defend anything with my life, save for my family and those I hold dear. I certainly would not sacrifice my life for the United States government, the bureaucratic elite, and all those faceless entities in power behind the scenes.