Famous Truckers: Celebrities Who Spent Time Behind the Wheel
Even in 2015, some industries are still male-dominated; and trucking is one of them. Auto mechanics is another. However, there are plenty of women who have the ability to get into these industries – and many have – to eventually make a career out of it. According to a survey conducted by University of Memphis students, there are few women who hold high-level positions in the trucking industry.
Even in 2015, some industries are still male-dominated; and trucking is one of them. Auto mechanics is another. However, there are plenty of women who have the ability to get into these industries – and many have – to eventually make a career out of it. According to a survey conducted by University of Memphis students, there are few women who hold high-level positions in the trucking industry.
This study found that only 19.2 percent of director positions were occupied by women in the United States. In Canada, 20.8 percent of director positions are held by women. Both numbers are low compared to 100 Standard & Poor-rated companies, of which 21 percent of directors seats are held by women.
Since the trucking industry is male-dominated, it is no surprise that the numbers are low. Those who are interested in the trucking industry don’t necessarily have to start in trucking jobs, though that experience does help. Of the 15 carriers that are publicly traded, 10 of them do not have women listed on the board. ArcBest Corp. has a female CEO/President and 27.3 percent of its board of directors are female. Additionally, the company’s corporate level is 25 percent female.
Since the trucking industry is male-dominated, it is no surprise that the numbers are low. Those who are interested in the trucking industry don’t necessarily have to start in trucking jobs, though that experience does help. Of the 15 carriers that are publicly traded, 10 of them do not have women listed on the board. ArcBest Corp. has a female CEO/President and 27.3 percent of its board of directors are female. Additionally, the company’s corporate level is 25 percent female.
Con-Way Freight is another company that has many women in these positions with 23.1 percent female directors. Celadon’s board of directors is made up of 20 percent females and J.B. Hunt Transport Services features a board with 18.2 percent women. J.B. Hunt filled 20 percent of their executive positions with women; and Swift Transportation has 16.7 percent female executives. Celadon also has female executives – 14.3 percent.
Women Drivers
Although women make up 52 percent of the workforce, only 6 percent of the driver population is female. And, since the trucking industry is suffering a shortage of drivers, the market is prime for women to get into the industry, especially if they want to start out as a driver. And, according to Truck Market News, women truckers have 50 percent of the crashes that men do, thus saving companies that hire women drivers tons in repairs, legal fees, settlements and trials. And, the publication found that women drivers are faster at turning in their paperwork.
Although women make up 52 percent of the workforce, only 6 percent of the driver population is female. And, since the trucking industry is suffering a shortage of drivers, the market is prime for women to get into the industry, especially if they want to start out as a driver. And, according to Truck Market News, women truckers have 50 percent of the crashes that men do, thus saving companies that hire women drivers tons in repairs, legal fees, settlements and trials. And, the publication found that women drivers are faster at turning in their paperwork.
Getting into the Business and Issues
When getting into the business, women could start out on their own, working for a company; however, many start out as a partnership with their husbands. Because of the issues inherent in any male-dominated profession, starting out could be tough unless you already have friends in the industry. Though, even if you don’t, you can make it through all of the training. As with other jobs, sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and other forms of bullying happen, according to PTC Challenge.
When getting into the business, women could start out on their own, working for a company; however, many start out as a partnership with their husbands. Because of the issues inherent in any male-dominated profession, starting out could be tough unless you already have friends in the industry. Though, even if you don’t, you can make it through all of the training. As with other jobs, sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and other forms of bullying happen, according to PTC Challenge.
Though the publication reports that the trucking industry is dominated by male attitudes, that is quickly changing, and the more women that get into the industry, the more it will change. Groups such as Women in Trucking help females through the training and are there to support women throughout their careers. Several carriers are also members of the organization.
Once you start as a driver, you can choose to move up with your carrier to executive positions or you could even start your own trucking company. Starting out as a driver, if that is your inclination, opens tons of doors in the trucking industry. Even if you prefer to skip the physical aspect of the job, with the right education and skills, you could move up quickly on the administrative side of things.
Skills
Some of the skills a women learns by raising a family fall right into the trucking profession. Skills such as the multitasking that a wife and mother must have and their attention to detail are two of the important skills needed in the trucking industry. And, if a woman doesn’t know how to fix something on her truck, she’s not beyond asking for help or having it towed into the shop. Because a female driver may not know how to fix the truck, she tends to pay more attention to the maintenance of that truck so there’s less chance of breaking down on the road.
Some of the skills a women learns by raising a family fall right into the trucking profession. Skills such as the multitasking that a wife and mother must have and their attention to detail are two of the important skills needed in the trucking industry. And, if a woman doesn’t know how to fix something on her truck, she’s not beyond asking for help or having it towed into the shop. Because a female driver may not know how to fix the truck, she tends to pay more attention to the maintenance of that truck so there’s less chance of breaking down on the road.
Benefits of Trucking
Both men and women will find that the trucking industry has many benefits. When driving, even though you have deadlines, you still have the freedom of stopping when you want for a break as long as you can get your load delivered on time. You can choose to work for a large carrier, small carrier, OTR company or local company. You can choose to drive a desk or a truck. You can partner with your soul mate if you want to spend 24/7 with him or her.
Both men and women will find that the trucking industry has many benefits. When driving, even though you have deadlines, you still have the freedom of stopping when you want for a break as long as you can get your load delivered on time. You can choose to work for a large carrier, small carrier, OTR company or local company. You can choose to drive a desk or a truck. You can partner with your soul mate if you want to spend 24/7 with him or her.
And, if you drive for yourself, the benefits increase. You can drive when you want to and take time off when you want to. If you have a load to go to the other side of the country, no back haul and no loads waiting, you can spend a few days taking in the sights. And best of all, the pay is great, especially when you get into specialty hauling jobs such as radioactive waste, driving in the mountains of northern and north western states or even driving on the ice roads.
BY STAFF WRITER
BY STAFF WRITER
No comments:
Post a Comment