Millennials technically are people who were born between 1981 and 1996. However, this generation of leaders and social reformers are unique in how they view the world. They take a completely different approach to money, work, technology, and education. CDL trucking jobs have just the right mix of factors to help millennials build a career that feels truly rewarding.
What Millennials Want from Their Careers
Millennials look forward, not backward. They don’t care about tradition or meaningless rules; they want to get things done and work toward goals that really matter. That’s why many millennials are genuinely interested in social reforms, equality, and environmental activism, and they like to get involved personally to influence change. They also love new technology and use it frequently. Here are a few things this generation looks for in the ideal job:
- Excellent pay
- Comfortable working conditions
- Ample freedom to make choices and implement changes
- Friendly coworkers
- Useful technology
- Trustworthy organizations
- Worthwhile goals
Jobs with a strong support system, such as commercial driving jobs, give millennials a purpose and make them happy. This vibrant generation enjoys forming networks with people of the same age. With the power of social media, millennials have contributed to major shifts in the way industries treat women and people of different ethnic backgrounds.
10 Reasons Why CDL Trucking Jobs are a Perfect Match for Millennials
These qualities have turned many millennials into successful entrepreneurs. They value independence, and being their own boss is appealing. At the same time, millennials are perfectly happy working with a team of people that they admire. If they believe in an organization, they work hard to contribute to its success. If you belong to the millennial generation, here are ten reasons why commercial driving jobs may be a perfect fit for you.
1. Be Your Own Boss
Class A trucking jobs give you a lot of freedom. Some commercial drivers choose to become owner-operators, investing in their own truck, and choosing what routes to accept. Other professionals decide to work for a trucking company. Their employers provide the latest trucks and handle maintenance, while drivers focus on delivering loads to different destinations.
No matter which type of setup you choose, CDL trucking provides significant flexibility compared to office jobs. You can decide which routes appeal to you and adapt most comfortably to your lifestyle. If you want to make extra income, you can choose to take on additional routes or more lucrative runs. You decide how many miles represent the ideal fit for you.
2. Leave the Cubicle Behind
If there’s one thing millennials can’t stand, it’s performing mindless tasks in a crowded work environment. Filling out endless paperwork gets old quickly. With a truck-driving job, you get to enjoy the open road. Depending on your route, you may get to drive through beautiful mountain passes, kick back in Las Vegas, or watch incredible sunsets in California. In other words, you’re free.
3. Get Health Insurance and Other Perks
Commercial truck drivers are highly valued, which means that many trucking companies go above and beyond to attract new talent. You don’t have to become a powerful business executive to get major perks such as dental insurance, health insurance, 401(k) retirement plans, paid vacation time and other benefits. This can enable you to take great care of your health and your family.
4. Leave Student Loan Debt Behind
CDL drivers can enjoy an excellent annual salary. Work is stable and predictable, so you don’t have to feel pressured to work overtime to make ends meet. If you have existing student loan debt, this can be a major perk.
If you’re just graduating from high school, truck driving offers another benefit. To be considered a professional, you don’t need lengthy supplementary education. Completing a certified training course for a Class A trucking job is required, but this typically costs far less than university classes. This way, you can practically sidestep student loan debt entirely.
5. Spend Time with the People You Care About
Truck drivers work hard and play hard. For example, at Duncan & Son Lines, Inc., our CDL drivers have dedicated routes from Phoenix to Long Beach. This means you get to sleep in your own bed at least two to four nights each week. We also provide a 34-hour restart every weekend, giving you plenty of time off.
Whether you have a child you want to see grow up or someone special you want to enjoy a night on the town with, you always have plenty of free time between runs. You can relax with the people that really matter to you, enjoying backyard barbecues with friends and family. This gives you a lot more freedom than a traditional nine to five office job.
6. Always Have Work
Truck drivers are in constant demand, and that’s not going to change anytime soon. To keep up with shipping requirements, trucking companies need over 60,000 new drivers, and that number is expected to grow to 160,000 over the next decade. Put simply, consumers and businesses always have a need for products, and commercial drivers are the ones who fill this need. This job stability makes it easier to plan for and reach your long-term life goals.
7. Be Yourself
The trucking industry is changing when it comes to common driver stereotypes. Forget the image of burly truckers with tattoos and long beards (although that’s fine if it’s your thing). These days, increasing numbers of women and high-school grads are joining the ranks of CDL trucking. State-of-the-art trucks are comfortable for the long haul — many have private quarters — and you don’t need big muscles since you’re not required to do any loading or unloading.
8. Build Lasting Friendships
Truck drivers have a reputation for taking great care of each other. This is especially true for millennials and commercial drivers who are women. Truck companies are usually driver-centric, so employees have a major say in the decisions made. This strong social network at work makes getting the job done a lot more fun. At Duncan Trucking we have over 300 Class A drivers running the same dedicated route, so you always see friendly faces.
9. Benefit from Modern Technology
Truck drivers don’t have to worry about keeping a logbook anymore. Everything is handled electronically, from organizing your route to directing you to your destination quickly and safely. In fact, real-time GPS helps you avoid bad weather and traffic jams. Some trucks even have lane departure warning systems and adaptive cruise control, letting you stay extra comfortable.
10. Make a Difference with a CDL Trucking Career
Another benefit of the caring and close-knit culture of CDL truck drivers is being able to contribute to causes you’re passionate about. For example, at Duncan & Son Lines, Inc., we organize community service initiatives along with programs to give back to the local community and we have an employee contributed charity for employees experiencing hardships.
A Satisfying & Rewarding Career for Millennials Waits at Duncan & Son Lines, Inc.
Commercial trucking jobs are something millennials should definitely look into. This type of work is flexible and lucrative and lets you build strong relationships with great people. At Duncan & Son Lines, Inc., we go the extra mile to take care of our drivers. In addition to offering an average first-year salary of $65,000–$70,000, we make sure you can spend plenty of time with friends and family. To apply for class A trucking jobs or learn more, contact us right away.