Career Change?

[JimboJ]

Looking for some advice form fellow terbites

I have been in the same field for about 15 years now. It's a health-related profession. Have worked in hospitals for about 8 of that 15 years and along the way opened a retail store that supplied the same services and products. It is a very highly competitive field (aren't they all). Have never made a mint, although the potential is there. Money not being everything, I have lately begun to be less and less satisfied with what I am doing. More work, less time to do anything else. I have been looking around at what else there may be to do.

I have a client who 'drives truck' and they say it's pretty hard work, but the pay is good, and your schedule can be your own. I'm not afraid of the hard work. It's also something that you can get into without a Uni. Degree. I do have a college diploma, but it is SO specialized that it is next to worthless except in that field.

Any truck drivers out there who want to give their opinion, or anyone else?

Thanks

 

[fullmetal]

Life is short .......

go with your gutt instinct , if you hate your job - Quit . Many people change careers / jobs in thier lifetime , and judging by what you wrote it sounds like you are ready to make that change but just need the extra affirmation .

 

[mmouse]

fullmetal = asian sensation

 

[stinkynuts]

I probably wouldn't go into that field if you have a family. You'll probably rarely see them, and you may look back and regret the time you spent on the road instead of with them. Then again, maybe you won't.

By the way, how much does a truck driver make?

 

[JimboJ]

When I spoke to the training school, their unbiased estimate of a long haul trucker's pay was 40K to start. I don't net that now working six days a week. As I said, money isn't the main reason I would change. It helps, but as long as I can make a decent living at whatever I do, I'll be happy.

Yes, family time is important, but I'm there mainly on the weekends now. The kids go to sleep often before I'm home, or soon after.

Life is too short to do something that is not enjoyable, I just need to find what is enjoyable.

 

[stinkynuts]

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Mark Twain


I say go for it. If it doesn't work out, you can always go back to your old job. But you're right, life is too short.

 

[TheNiteHwk]

I had some experience driving truck in my younger years. I was working in sales at the time when my brother who is still to this day a broker for a moving company asked my to go with him on a road trip. I ended up driving for the next few years. You can make good money truck driving but it depends where you are working and of course what type of contract you have. Driving a company truck can be OK but again depends on where you are working and type of contract. The best money is in being a broker. I.E. Buy your own truck. It is very necessary then to be a good businessperson to track and pay expenses, truck payments, fuel, taxes etc. If you are a long distance... you will be away from home base a lot. Depending again on where you work and type of contract it could involve lots of heavy labour loading and unloading. You eat well though. It doesn’t take long to learn all the good truck stops. Some truck stops in Canada (lots in the states) do have lot lizards as they are called in case you want to do some hobbying before or after a big meal or fueling up. Good luck.

 

[torex]

I don't know how old you are but if you are married with kids don't become a long haul driver unless you have the extra funds to outright buy a truck and work when you want to otherwise your never home....mind you if your kids are grown and out of the house you could always take your wife along on long hauls. I know there are alot of husband/wife teams out there on the highways.

right now the trucking industry does alot of hiring through agencies such as this one http://www.transporthelp.com/ they have an office in Manitoulin Transport yard at Dixie/401.

problem with the agencies is alot of city truckers that work hourly are only making $15 - $20 hr...like nighthawk said,it also depends on your route ,contract or transport company you work for.....Brokers do make more but they have to hussle for it. I know drivers that are 5ton brokers that work 12-16 hr days mon-fri fffff***ck that! lol ,and still are just getting by.

truck driving can get pretty monotonous and boring,try looking into a field that changes all the time ,such as the promo industry,exhibit industry,film indusrty,graphics etc....

best of luck

 

[JimboJ]

Yes, the woman I spoke to at the one school said that the money was definitely in long-haul trucking. The client I mentioned before is a long-haul trucker.

In my current business, I do house calls. Going between places, I have often thought, "Gee, it's too bad I couldn't get paid for driving." I don't think the monotony would bother me much.

I guess my fear is that to make a complete career change would mean closing the door on my current career. It's a big step to take and one that wouldn't likely be easily reversed. After 15 years, it would be like cutting a body part off.

I am still young (37), and have young kids, just feeling the pressure to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.

 

[mrpolarbear]

I am also inline for a carreer change. I have had the same job for 31 yrs and probably wont see 32. My plant is being closed probably by the end of the year.I will be one of the last people to walk out of that plant because of my super senority.I will be eligible for extended unemployment benefits and retraing programs fully paid for, for about 2 years. I would really like to get a job with the international union as a regional rep. I have enjoyed most of my time time as a steward first, bargaining rep and the last 8 years as chairman of the bargaining committee . I have been thru numerous contract negotiations and arbitration hearings and enjoyed and learned something from evey one of them. I must have been doing something right to be re elected 8 times. I always wanted to be a tv or radio personality since high school but never had or took the chance. Last week i got my oppurtunity to be on a local radio show and i thouroly enjoyed it . After the show was over the host told me i was a natural, and asked me if i would like to do my own 1 hour show about anything i want. I told her sure i would love to try. Its not a paying job , all voulenteer but you have to start somewhere. I know the pay in these fields arent great unless you hit it big but i could survive . I am just wondering if there would be a place for a 50 yr. old guy that doesnt have a journalism degree in one of these fields. If these 2 fields didnt work out i guess i would look at driving a truck, but it would be hard to do after sleeping in my own bed for most of my life. One thing i do know is I wont ever set foot in a factory again.

 

[einar]

Somebody with a strong union background with is also a natural before a microphone might well parlay this into some sort of on-air commentary or analysis position in radio or tv. Don't worry about the lack of journalism background: your knowledge base might get you hired.