Hunting for a job can be a maddening process, especially when you’re not too sure which field is the best fit for you. If you’re considering a career in trucking, there are plenty of factors to take into consideration. You might think about managing a fleet or driving a truck yourself.
As a truck driver, you can work for a company within a fleet, or you can be an independent driver, own your own truck, and work on a more “freelance” basis. If truck driving is a job opportunity you’ve considered, it’s a good idea to first weigh up the pros and cons. In addition, for those looking to start their own trucking business, resources such as https://www.authorityexpressllc.com/post/how-to-start-a-trucking-business can be a good place to start.
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The Drawbacks
First of all, let’s take a look at the potential negatives associated with trucking.
One of the biggest cons is the stress and lonely lifestyle of a truck driver. Long hours on the road and travelling long distances means you’ll be away from home for long periods of time – this isn’t ideal for a family-oriented person.
Another drawback is self-management. If you work as an independent trucker, you might be responsible for sourcing international truck parts for repairs and in general, you’ll need to manage and stay on top of all your maintenance.
A common complaint amongst truckers is that it’s difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle in this job. You’ll have a very sedentary lifestyle sitting behind the wheel all day, and it can be tough to find nutritious food when your only options are fast food drive-throughs. You’ll need to work hard to put your health first and it won’t always be easy.
The Benefits
Despite these challenges, there are so many benefits associated with a life of trucking.
For starters, you’ll almost always have work and you won’t need to worry about not being needed. Transportation is always in demand, so if having good job security is important to you, trucking is a great career to get into.
Next, while loneliness is a problem for some, many introverted people relish this type of work where they don’t need to spend their day working with others. There are also plenty of benefits to spending time alone, such as introspection and a better appreciation for the people in your life. You can listen to audiobooks all day long and increase your knowledge too.
Finally, this life on the road can offer you the opportunity to see so much more of the world. If travelling and road trips are something you enjoy, then seeing new places and getting to visit different areas every week and month will be an exciting journey for you.
Final Thoughts
Clearly, there are a lot of pros and cons of driving a truck for a living. In the end, what it really comes down to is the type of person you are, what you value and what you enjoy.
If you love spending time with your family, this job might not be for you. However, if you’re single and a roamer, then spending your life on the road could be very fulfilling.
