Is truck driving a good or bad idea for a newlywed?

[IHaveRespawned]

I am supposed to be getting married this year and I am sinking financially.

I was an Advanced EMT working in public safety many years ago, until I got into some trouble and lost my license due to 2 misdemeanor convictions (stemming from same incident; never having been in trouble before)

I switched careers into the tech industry and worked as a software developer for 4 years. Sadly, the job market in tech has been destroyed.

Sadly, despite being highly skilled and capable, I feel like I am going to have to settle. Even my mom is rather disappointed that I am considering truck driving, when she said I "could have been a doctor" but those damn misdemeanors from long ago are holding me back.

I am going to truck driving school, and they are lining it up to where I can at least have my wedding. But afterwards, I will be away from home for about a year, only being able to have a few days off every few weeks.

Although, I have the potential of making up to $1,500 a week. I was making $76k/yr at my cozy remote web developer job, but as I said, my industry has been wrecked.

Good

Bad

See poll

[Jersey2]

Have you tried combining your experience as an EMT and technology guy and aggressively look for a job in the health industry such as health device manufactures, medical software developers, 911 police facilities, a ambulance service company, hospitals or anything else where those two go together? By aggressively, I mean go for jobs not posted. Seek out CEOs and write them a letter with you resume attached, a real letter on good paper stock. Find recruiters that specialize in this niche, etc. Even look to be a contractor and work your way into a company.

For truck driving, it can be good money for UPS drivers, over the road drivers but again research it and find what niches pay the most and what their requirements are and then work your way to that job.

[Jersey2]

Some companies will not deny you for the misdemeanors. There are city governments that will ignore it if it isn’t a violent crime. Check into that.

[IHaveRespawned]

In terms of healthcare licensure, I am fucked. I have disciplinary action on a healthcare license. There is so much red tape to run through to regain eligibility, but it is error prone and likely to result in failure. The tech job market right now is a major mess. Between economic uncertainties and AI, employers are pulling back. I had an interview lined up, just to be informed that week they had to place a hold on that position. It is looking grim in terms of employment prospects in the tech industry. It is an employers market now.

[Jersey2]

Understood. Just remember that your knowledge of healthcare, licensing aside, is a big plus. Recruiters and employers tend to run with “this guy knows X” and giving it a huge plus for consideration. I know, I have been on the other side many times in difference countries.

But yeah, you can drive trucks. I think there was a need for them recently where drivers were making huge money. Check to see if the pay is better in different city’s as a local driver. The $1500 a week does add up to about the same pay as your remote job but not as cushy.

[Iron_Man]

they’re always gone and they sleep in their truck not a good job for a newlywed

[IHaveRespawned]

What other choice do I have at the moment when I cannot return to healthcare and the tech industry is shot? I was denied a part-time security officer role due to my convictions from 9 years ago! I haven't even so much as received a traffic violation since, yet my career prospects have been destroyed. All because I brought a girl a cookie cake at like 20 years old.

[Iron_Man]

Talk to your wife work it out where you’re both pleased and happy come up with a solution before she married you, didn’t she realize this?

[IHaveRespawned]

I already spoke with her. She is not pleased or happy about it, but she is willing to accept the option. I need to be able to provide for us and our future family. I have to make tough decisions. Sitting on ass collecting govt checks for life is not doable.

[Iron_Man]

well, do what you have to do for now, but try to work a different solution and find a different job in the future because you could end up at this job for years

[IHaveRespawned]

Can you think of any other job that makes roughly $75k without a degree?

[Iron_Man]

I don’t know can you work construction? You can always become a painter or be a handyman and charge your own rates charge by the hour or charge by the job and work by yourself and hire other people to work with you if you want. You also can do pressure clean all kinds of stuff.

[Iron_Man]

you can actually be your own boss self-employed like I did and make your own living and set your own days and your days off and you never have to worry about being gone on the road being gone for two weeks at a time

[douride2]

Well truck driving at $1500 a week is about $78000 a year. I never did that good trucking. But like you said & I know I did it. You will be away from home for days or weeks at a time. If I were you I would take the job.

[Anonymous]

I thought Trump was going to fix all your problems like you said. Guess you can chalk that up to another lie of his. 🤣

[IHaveRespawned]

I am waiting. Supposedly big changes are about to occur. But I only believe when I see.

[IHaveRespawned]

And he has only been in office for what? Like less than 5 months? He has accomplished a shit load since. But ultimately, I am looking at the cost of living and quality of an American's life, period.

[Dongie]

I say don't go over the road. Stay local.

[IHaveRespawned]

To be considered for regional/local placement, truckers supposedly need to put in their time.

[Dongie]

It figures. Do something else. You don't want to continue down the same path with your new bride. The first year is kind of important.

[seeyounexttuesday]

none of this sounds true.

[IHaveRespawned]

What sounds false?

[seeyounexttuesday]

that two misdemeanors have prevented you from getting any job
that you there's truck driving jobs that keep you on the road for a year and that if such a job existed it would only pay $1500 a week.