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| Meet my son Austin the future of Albert Transport . |
Today I was talking to my son about the trucking industry. He has been expressing an interest in the transportation industry and I found it interesting to hear his perspective. I asked him to use his own words and explain the industry from a twenty-one-year-olds point of view. Enjoy!
Greetings to the world of transportation! As the son of a truck driver, I’ve read many articles involving any and all subjects of this industry over the years. Recently, I came across an article which discussed the differences between my generation of young people today to that of years ago and how this will affect the new generation of truck driving in the future.
I hear older people constantly talking about “kids these days” and how we have no work ethic and would run away from jobs that do not involve a college degree. Personally, I began working part time at sixteen and I am now twenty-one. I’ve had several jobs and have increased my hours and salary upon each move. I am currently going to college and, as of six months ago, I’ve decided to work full time at my job as a college student.
For me, I believe work ethic is built from your parents and those in which you surround yourself. My parents always encouraged a strong work ethic at home and I witnessed this over the years as they worked hard to build a successful trucking company.
Yet, sadly, there is a stereotype which surrounds this industry when it comes to the younger generation. Many of my friends have commented negatively about truck drivers and have no appreciation for the invaluable service they provide. They don’t understand the job itself, nor do they have any idea of the income potential. Those same friends usually hear a mouthful from me about how important jobs like trucking, welding, and carpentry are to our overall economy. and how that, with the proper training and some experience, these jobs can be a very good source of income.
You can only imagine the looks these speeches receive from the overhearing parents. For these reasons, we can now understand why transportation isn’t on the Top 10 job list of consideration for an eighteen year old.
But, then think back to when YOU were born. Most likely, you and your friends had fantasies about becoming a mechanic at the old corner grease shop, fireman, or maybe even a police officer. Your parents probably encouraged you to follow your heart and work hard to attain the American dream. Today, if a ten year old comes home to his parents after his field trip to the fire station and says he wants to be a firefighter, this could be like fingernails scratching a chalkboard to parent’s ears. Today, these service-related jobs aren’t perceived as “good money making jobs,” therefore many parents push for college education.
In my generation, the perceived reality is that we must choose between being miserable at one of these low-paying service jobs or sit behind a desk with an annual income of $150,000. If we choose a different career path that does not include a college degree, it seems we are faced with nothing but disappointment when we deliver the news. With this in mind, it is obvious why there is a driver shortage that doesn’t seem to be going away anytime in the near future.
Being the son of a man who has made the best of this industry and strives to improve its image, I seem to have a different outlook on this career. I am aware that our economy relies on trucks to deliver goods that we enjoy every day and how the world could become an apocalypse overnight if 25% of our nation’s drivers decided to take one day off on the same day.
I also believe the trucking industry has made some dramatic changes in terms of technology and it’s working hard to improve its image. Many older drivers will be fading out in the near future and this factor makes it necessary for a new generation to enter the industry. This means a younger generation will have plenty of opportunities but, the question is, will they step in?
Last year, my college offered a “job fair” for students to attend in order to learn more about different career opportunities. Out of curiosity, I attended and was shocked to learn that truck driving and welding were in the top five best paying jobs in the state where I live, North Carolina.
I must say, this was a huge eye opener for me. I learned that, over the next decade, demand for these jobs will increase and will also offer an outstanding income to those who seek that path.
It would be great if my generation could be convinced that becoming the next Bill Gates is not the only option to the American dream, success, or having a great life. Myself, I have aspirations to pursue a career in transportation and perhaps someday I will even manage a fleet of trucks.