would you recommend trucking as a career?
Posted by BananaEnjoyer1@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 22 comments
10th grade high schooler here. I studied translation as a hobby and as a future career option, but artificial intelligence basically killed the industry. Now I'm considering trucking as a career as it seems to pay well and I don't really mind being away from home for a long time. so my question is, how is the working condition like, is it worth investing in a truck for this job, and if i were to take this job should I move to America? (i live in Korea)
akornato@reddit
Trucking is a much harder life than it looks from the outside, with grueling hours, intense loneliness, and serious physical and mental health tolls. The pay might seem good, but it rarely reflects the 70-hour weeks you put in. You should never invest in your own truck when you're starting out, as it is a massive financial risk that sinks many new drivers. You would need to drive for a company for years first. Also, getting a work visa to move to the US for a trucking job is extremely difficult, so that path is not a realistic option for someone in your position.
You are thinking about your future in a way most people don't until they are much older, and that foresight is your real strength. Just because AI is changing translation, it doesn't mean your language skills are useless. Those skills are incredibly valuable in global logistics, freight forwarding, or supply chain management, which are fields that pay well and offer a better work-life balance. Instead of running from technology, you are at a point where you can explore charting your next move with an AI strategic partner to see how your unique skills can be combined with new opportunities. You have plenty of time to explore all your options.
Jumpy-Daddy5809@reddit
Eh it can be I mean I make $130,000 a year but you have to consider that almost all trucking jobs are gonna expect you to work a lotta hours 60 hours a week you’re barely gonna have time to work out or do sports or anything else with your life so you gotta keep that in mind but on the plus if you really are smart and you get your CDL right out of high school and you learn a really good job and you save an invest your money I mean you could have $500,000 by the time you’re 25 if you play your cards right then you could stop trucking quit and then go pursue other things like pilot school lineman school, electrician, all kinds of other options when you have $500,000 to lay around in you got a lot of resources in time to figure out what your next move, could be
But then again, I know guys who have a CDL for 10 years and you know work for jobs only making $70,000 a year doing crazy backbreaking labor every day just horrible jobs and they just stay there for 10 years so for them I would say it’s a horrible career it really depends man is their opportunities out there with the CDL yes there are companies that will pay you very good money that will take good care of you and you could be making great money right out of high school but there’s no guarantee that you’re gonna get into those top-tier companies unless you know somebody
One accident could destroy your chances of getting into one of those top-tier companies, hauling jet, fuel, or hazardous materials explosives or something that pays real money. They don’t really want drivers that have accidents so you gotta keep that in mind too. One mistake can destroy your career one ticket one cell phone ticket one speeding ticket. It’s a lot of stress as well even in your personal vehicle if you get a cell phone ticket it could destroy your career
WallaWallaby011@reddit
I mean, I’m a yard dog and I work 50 hours max a week..
Jumpy-Daddy5809@reddit
Good point The yard dog is the only position that u can get a decent scedule lol
WallaWallaby011@reddit
Yup! I clock out when second shift at the warehouse does or whenever I see the third shift driver pull into the yard.
Responsible_Sea4436@reddit
Just out of curiosity, how are you planning to move to the U.S. from Korea to become a truck driver? You would need legal authorization to live and work in the country. I doubt anyone would sponsor you for a work visa unless you already have permanent residency in the U.S.
austinproffitt23@reddit
Trucking isn’t a career—it’s a lifestyle.
ColeHimself@reddit
This makes absolutely no sense unless you're one of those people that only knows and has only ever known OTR work. Which is the lowest effort entry level part of trucking.
Cardinal_350@reddit
My Uncle told me this 25 years ago when I started my career. Nothing truer has ever been said
Tracerbeamaa@reddit
DONT DO IT
Old-Wolf-1024@reddit
No,learn a trade(electrician,plumber,welder,HVAC)
Gonzotrucker1@reddit
No.
Xiunte@reddit
Don't know how it is in Korea, but in the US trucking sucks for the first years. It's literally hell on wheels until you get the experience to get something better. But I can honestly say it does get better. Just gotta have the patience to stick with it until it does. This is all coming from my American experience, though.
And, no. Don't uproot yourself and move here (for TRUCKING) unless you're absolutely certain your current situation is for sure shittier than our's and will not get better. America is probably better than Korea (assuming South?) as far as trucking is concerned because this country is absolutely gigantic. But we have a lot of other problems not related to trucking that might blindside you once you get here and settle in. No such thing as paradise. Everywhere has problems.
RabbitFabs@reddit
It does not pay well at all compared to how much you work. And anybody with opposing thumbs and basic driving skills can learn to drive a truck.
But to uproot yourself from everything you've known, and to eat sleep and live 75-85% of your life inside a space about the size of a bathroom stall, that takes alot of persistence and its not anywhere near as easy as you are thinking. You're 16, and as a 22 year old myself I would reccomend most anybody around my age to pursue something else. It really does takes a unique type of person to drive a truck, and the fact you dont mind going out often does not mean you have it in you.
Legitimate_Diver_699@reddit
If you’re like and your industry is shite, yes.
East_Indication_7816@reddit
it varies I don't make much money because I work local and go home daily. But the job is relatively easy and a bit fun. I just listen to podcasts all day while holding the steering wheel. Once you do this job , you would not want to work an office job .
WallaWallaby011@reddit
Yes. I only graduated 8th grade and I’m making $25/hr right now as a yard dog. I love it! 😍 second shift is my favorite. I get to sleep in every morning and not have to rush to work.
ksgif2@reddit
I wouldn't but I also don't feel any regret after 28 years
wewontmissthis@reddit
You have ample time and opportunity to pivot to almost any other career as a high schooler.
Micro-Skies@reddit
I don't really think you are gonna get Korean truck drivers to give you an accurate representation of the field over there. This is a mostly NA representative subreddit.
But I can say that Trucking is not worth moving across the entire world for. Its a good career for those that like it, but its not offering the kind of payscale to make that transition worth it
truckensafely@reddit
You won’t have a personal life on the road at a young age. A better career would be in high tech or finance.
IndexFingerTypist@reddit
Start as a company driver. Get a feel for the business before making your own investment.