Cultus
Many people have trouble deciding which career path is right for them, especially nowadays, as the economy is not in a particularly good shape, and wage levels in many sectors are not as high as they used to be a few years ago, but there are a couple of careers that have pretty good prospects even in these tough economic times. For example, choosing to work as a professional commercial driver can be a very good decision, considering that it brings many benefits, such as a good salary, flexible hours, and job security. This makes driving a commercial vehicle pretty appealing, even though becoming a commercial driver can be a bit difficult and you need to put a lot of time, effort and money in order to obtain a commercial driver’s license.
The process of obtaining your CDL is complicated and time-consuming, since you have to pass multiple written knowledge and road skills test, as well as physical exams, and pay a couple of thousands of dollars for training and various fees, but once you take a look at how many options you have at your disposal after you receive your CDL, you will realize that it has all been worth it.
Job opportunities for commercial drivers are quite favorable at the moment, and should continue to be favorable over the next ten years, as well. In 2012, there were about 1.7 million jobs, with employment expected to grow by 11% by 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Another good thing about having a CDL, is that there are various jobs that you can choose from. For example you can work as a bus driver, with transporting passengers to their destination safely as your primary responsibility, or as a truck driver, transporting different types of cargo. Also, you can drive a school bus, transporting students to and from school and other school activities. Demand for truck drivers is particularly high now, with the economy growing at a relatively good rate, and the salary is usually very good, so the time you spend preparing for the CDL exams will certainly pay off. Also, the fact that you don’t need a college degree to have a career as a commercial driver, and still earn very well, is a good reason why you should choose this career path.
In order to make sure that you have as many options as possible after you have obtained your CDL, it’s wise to put in extra effort and try and add certain endorsement to your license. To do that, you will need to take some additional written knowledge tests, and depending on the type of endorsement, you will be able to drive a tank vehicle, a combination vehicle, or a vehicle designed to transport hazardous materials. This will definitely help you get a job more easily, as companies are always looking for qualified drivers who have as many endorsements as possible.
To sum up, investing your time and money in a commercial driver’s license may well turn out to be the smartest investment you will ever make, and a good way to make sure you achieve financial security for yourself and your family.
By Dimitar Serafimov
