The commercial freight and haulage industry is keen to encourage more women truck drivers, and there are good reasons. They are seen as being more careful drivers and operators, and often become preferred whether as staff or owner-drivers subcontracting to companies.
In the logistics industry in general and among professional drivers, the proportion of women is shockingly low at less than 2%. Hardly any other industry has such a low proportion of female employees. For decades, the truck driver’s profession has been a male domain that has traditionally remained closed to women. For many years, however, transport and logistics companies have been complaining about a lack of staff and young talent.
It is therefore an obvious conclusion here that a large part of the workforce is not being exploited and addressed at all. The transport industry and especially the profession of driver must become more attractive for women. But recently, companies and politics have been discovering the opportunities for women in logistics and things are slowly moving.
Why you might consider joining the women truck drivers
So if you have come to a time in your life when you’re ready to explore a new career path, this might be one to consider. That is not as strange as it used to be. Working people seldom stay at one job for their entire lives anymore, and going with a completely different career path is far from unusual.
If you’re unsure what job sounds good to you, you might consider getting into the commercial trucking industry and joining the growing number of women truck drivers. This can be a more empowering job than you might imagine. Let’s take some time to talk about why more women are now becoming truckers than in any previous period.
You Can Explore the Country
You might worry about things like female trucking safety if you get into this field. That is understandable. You have to watch out for dark truck stops in the middle of the night where shady individuals lurk, possibly wanting to harm you. If you’re careful to only enter well-lit truck stops, that should be less of a concern. You can also carry a weapon with you if you like. A can of mace or similar will let you feel more confident if you’re out on the road on your own.
One reason why more women are getting into trucking these days is that it gives you a chance to explore America. Maybe you have lived your whole life in one city, and you have never left your home state. Perhaps you have only been to a few other US cities while on vacation or visiting relatives.
America is an enormous country, and there are parts that are so dissimilar to others. Imagine what it would be like to check out the California redwoods or Louisiana’s bayous. You might haul products in your truck through the Pacific Northwest or New England when the leaves are changing.
It Pays Pretty Well
Many women also get into trucking if they feel like they need to make more money than what their current job pays them. You might like your current position well enough, but you’re not exactly making a great living doing it, and you realize there is little room for advancement.
Truck driving pays better than you might imagine. Starting full-time women truck drivers can expect to make close to $60K in most instances. As long as you have the skill to get your commercial trucking license, there is no reason you can’t make close to six figures once you have been doing it for a little while.
You Don’t Have to See Your Boss Most of the Time
Many women report quitting a job because of a micromanaging boss. A boss who constantly hangs over your shoulder and critiques your work is not much fun. That might be enough for you to feel frustrated and want an entirely different career, not just a new job.
Truck drivers generally work for companies, but you don’t have to see your boss every day. You report to the dispatcher, but they are not there in the truck with you. No one is.
You can enjoy the tranquility and solitude you want if that appeals to you. It is certainly not for everyone, but some women like nothing more than the quiet a commercial truck affords them. You might find out that you love watching the sun come up over the Midwestern plains with hardly another living soul around.
You Can Set Your Own Schedule
For the most part, if you work for a trucking company, you can also set your own schedule. You can definitely work as much as you like, provided you adhere to the rules your company and various regulatory bodies set in place.
You might want to work only part-time if you have familial obligations, or you might switch to full-time if you’re saving for a particular goal. You can often drive a commercial rig for a few years and save up enough to buy a home if you are frugal. Truck driving can be the answer if you’re sick of apartment living.
There’s no denying that truck driving should appeal to many women, and it’s something you should at least consider.
