Trucking Career Advice From SWTDT's Job Placement Expert

Are you looking to enroll as a CDL student at Southwest Truck Driver Training, but haven't yet checked to see if anything might preclude you from becoming a professional truck driver? Fortunately for you, Kristi Ullery, our Job Placement expert at SWTDT Phoenix has all the answers you've been looking for. Ullery is an 8-month veteran of SWTDT, and she has been a great addition to the company! Since getting her start at our company, Kristi has already helped dozens of students find great full-time jobs after graduation.

Since her background is in HR, Kristi already had a good understanding of what employers in general are looking for in new hires. She is now able to give prospective students invaluable advice, specific to the trucking industry, when it comes to getting hired. Below, Kristi answers some common general questions related to job placement (for more specific questions related to your situation, contact us at 602-352-0704).

American Patriotism in the Trucking Community

Patriotism runs deep in the veins of American truckers, and this community has a long history of honoring the heroes of our nation: our men and women who serve and have served in the military.

One major hurdle members of the military face after leaving the armed forces is finding a job, especially in today's economy. Jobs are scarce, but this is one area where truckers have a played a major role in helping many veterans to better their lives.

The Odds Are in Your Favor With SWTDT Las Vegas

When you think of Vegas, you may think about the lights, the shows, and the sound of slot machines jingling wherever you go. More often than not, natives and tourists alike will gamble away the money they brought with them, giving meaning to the phrase, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." People head to The Strip, hoping to win big. Little do they know that if they just kept traveling north for about 15 more minutes, they would have a lot more luck.

There is a little place, away from The Strip and all the noise, that you can come to turn your money into an investment, and that place is Southwest Truck Driver Training. Here, we will give you the tools you need to be a proficient, professional, truck driver. Earning your CDL is not a temporary gamble with your money, but instead a permanent solution to solving money problems that will pay off for the rest of your life.

You Need a Job, America Needs Truck Drivers

In America, we take for granted the fact that the things we need are readily available. Food is on your grocer's shelves, your trash gets picked up on Tuesdays, and it's rare for a restaurant to run out of an ingredient. Having just about anything we want right at our fingertips at nearly all hours of the day is like breathing: we don't give a second thought to how it got there or who brought it. It's there, and that's all we care about.

Trucking Industry Outlook, Careers in Trucking Offer Bright Futures

Are you getting tired of earning barely above minimum wage, with no benefits to speak of, and zero potential for growth? Maybe it's time to think about getting your commercial driver's license and becoming a professional truck driver. 

If you're wondering whether or not it's a smart move to get into the trucking business, recent numbers and trends all point towards a resounding, "Yes!!" Can you imagine how it would feel to never have to worry about whether you'll ever be out of a job? You don't have to imagine it anymore, because with the economy improving, the demand for truckers is going up. In addition, the industry is already experiencing a shortage of drivers. We believe this is because potential drivers simply don't know about the benefits that being a truck driver has to offer. 

Getting your CDL is an investment that pays off right away

How to Earn Your CDL in Nevada in 6 Steps

Are you a resident of Nevada and entertaining the idea of studying for your CDL? Every year, thousands of men and women go through truck driver training programs across the United States, earning their commercial driver's license to start their careers as professional truck drivers. While the specifics of obtaining a CDL can vary slightly between states, just like a regular driver's license, it is good in every state. Great! So how exactly do you go about getting a CDL in Nevada? Keep reading to find out!

Top Blogs and Forums that Truckers Love

Being a trucker is a unique but often lone-wolf occupation. Some days you may feel like Rambo, trying to navigate your way through your route, defeating all the obstacles that come up along the way. Believe it or not, there are lots of people just like you who can relate, and a few of them are sharing their stories along the way. There are also forums available that allow fellow truckers to ask each other questions, rant about traffic, and rave about restaurants or truck stops on their routes. We have scoured the internet and found some of the great forums and blogs that we think you'll find entertaining and useful. So next time you're stuck waiting on a load, you won't lack for something to do.

Start on Your Road to Success, with Southwest Truck Driver Training

The argument for starting a career as a truck driver is a pretty easy one to make. The trucking industry is expected to grow by 11% through the year 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, the U.S. is experiencing a shortage of professional truck drivers. This adds up to job security for current professional truck drivers, and basically ensures that newly-licensed CDL holders will find employment very quickly after trucking school. Then, once you're on the road, you'll find that you very much enjoy the feeling of having more control over your time, vs. the typical job where a boss is looking over your shoulder most of the day. So yeah, the argument for why you should begin a career in tucking pretty much makes itself. You'll find that the same goes for why you should choose Southwest Truck Driver Training as your CDL training academy.

What it means to be a Professional Truck Driver

At SWTDT, we love our CDL students and graduates. What we don't love, or think is fair, is the negative image that many non-truckers often have of truck drivers in general.

When you get CDL training from us, you not only learn how to safely drive and maneuver an 18-wheeler, but you also learn how to be a professional. We do this not only because it makes you more marketable and approachable to trucking companies, but it also aids in removing the negative stereotype that many hold towards truckers.

Below, we have outlined a few of the tips that we like to teach our students for how to conduct oneself professionally as a driver.