What is your current job?
I am a commercial truck driver, and I drive a refrigeration truck. They have refrigerated units on 53-foot-long trailers hauled by tractors, and my company has them going across the 48 continental United States delivering goods. The cargo can range from cheese and chocolate to flowers and anything else that needs to be cold to stay fresh. This distribution system is how we maintain the variety of goods available in stores.
How did you become a truck driver?
I worked part-time for six years as a church secretary. The lead pastor left, and I decided to move on and try to make more money to support my family and further my goals. I decided on truck driving because I am autistic, and sometimes it can be draining for me to socialize with people in the workplace. The idea of being alone a lot of the time was very appealing, and now I can control my work environment as well as enjoy the solitude.
I visited Workforce to see what was available, and that’s when I discovered the WIOA program. I came in the very first week of July to apply and attend orientation. My expectation was I’d have to wait a while before starting training. But to my surprise, I got a call that afternoon saying everything was ready for me to go. It was amazingly fast. I started CDL school the very next day.
The school was in Weston at a place called Smith Safety Services. They are part of the Legacy Workforce training group, and they are very proactive, wonderful people who do a great job. On August 9th, 2024, I graduated on my first attempt to pass my CDL test and got my license with my tanker endorsement and no restrictions.
How was training?
I liked working with the old oilfield driver and instructors that I met. They got some enjoyment out of the antics from the girl who didn’t know anything, and there was a little bit of fun and healthy competition between us students.
What advice would you offer another woman who wants to become a truck driver?
Do a lot of research. I wish I would have known how many companies require experience before hiring you. Also, I do not recommend trucking if you don’t want to go over the road. You do that first to gain experience before you get your pick of jobs. So just keep that in mind, especially if you have kids and don’t want to be away from them for any length of time.
Also, don’t undermine yourself. Okay? Even if you’re still working to find the confidence to break into predominantly male professions such as construction or truck driving, don’t underestimate your capabilities. Don’t immediately tell yourself that you can’t do it because women are a lot stronger than what we get credit for.
Honestly, going from a church secretary to a truck driver sounds like a bad standup comedy joke, and I literally have gotten laughed at! I’ve been told, “We don’t have any office jobs available, so can you go back to the church then?” That’s just a taste of what I’ve heard because I didn’t look like a typical truck driver. You need to have confidence in yourself and just don’t give up.
You said truck driving was a way to earn more money for your family as well as achieve other goals. What else do you want to do?
Art. I knew from kindergarten that I wanted to be two things when I grew up: an artist and a mermaid. My parents were like “Hey, mermaids are mythical creatures, and you can’t be that.” The only remaining option was to become an artist.
Funnily enough, the more my parents told me to go to school for art, the less I wanted to do it. So, I went to culinary school instead! I started school and life happened, and I was unable to get my degree. However, I continued to pursue art, and one of my dreams is to eventually turn my art into a business.
How will WV Women Work’s PartnerUp mentorship program help you reach your goals? Even though I already have my CDL there are still several things I need to achieve. Right now, I am working toward getting a HAZMAT endorsement on my CDL and thinking about plans for an art business. My mentor has offered to connect me with resources to help with both of those goals. But I’ve taken my first step, and this program can help me with what comes next. And that is what I’m most looking forward to.
Interview conducted, transcribed, and written by Marlynda Arnett, Program Innovation Leader for West Virginia Women Work.
