It Or Truck Driving?

[Lelife]

In 2012 I went to college after high school as I had no idea what to do with my life. I got a degree in data risk analysis dec 2016 still no idea what I am doing with my life. I have worked three different it help desk jobs and now I am waiting for my fourth. I signed a contract but they are taking a while to fill out the paper work accept Ed the offer. Currently Back at parents house. It's been a week since i heard back from staffing agency regarding status of position.

Today I decided to apply for a truck driver position as I am tired of doing help desk. I contacted the trucking company and they told me to get a physical which I did and they told me to study for cdl while they process everything. I told my parents about my choice but they are being non supportive of my decision and they think that I should not be throwing away the degree. My mom even told me that those jobs are for the under educated and that she would not tell anyone about me being a truck drive due to the embarrassment.

I want to travel the country and not be stuck in a cubicle. But my family keeps pressure in me to stay the course of computer jobs. And take more classes which I honestly don't care to do. What do you guys think?

[Mamyalynne]

I think that it's your own life, it's yours to live and of course your parents want something safe and secure for you but ultimately they should accept your the choices you make.

Sorry you're feeling unsupported, I'm sure they do care.

[Old_Geezer]

Ultimately you choose what'll make you happy: but be sure you choose for the right reasons. I've no idea what truckers make, and it takes a particular type to be out there alone on the road all the time. It's nice to have something to fall back on, and I guess that you already have the degree under your belt. How long have you been considering a truck driving job ? Is it something you always wanted, or a recent realisation ?

[anneasquith]

If you mature enough to make an independent decision, take the job, good luck .

[Buenchico]

Try the 'job match' feature here. (It's the official carrers website for UK graduates). You might find that it comes up with some suggested career paths which you've not yet considered:
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/planner

[RobNorth]

Bear in mind that as a truck driver you will be stuck in a cubicle, completely alone for ten hours a day every day with little or no time for tourism.
Alternatively, If you go to work in IT for a really big outfit like GE or CAT and stick it for a few years you will find there is ample opportunity to divert into other jobs with them, plus opportunities for travel in a more civilised and comfortable manner.

[jno]

You’re not throwing away your degree, you’ll always hVe it; your knowledge will need updating a lot, but that would still be true if you worked in IT.

[Garaman]

I'd be concerned too if I was your dad. Truck driving might be fun for a short while, but it hardly offers much in the way of career prospects. I imagine it would get boring as hell in no time anyway.

If you have only done help desk jobs then you haven't found the right opening to suit your degree. I think you should look for something more suitable in the IT world.

[Guilbert53]

I worked in IT all my life but never did a "help desk" job.

There are hundreds of different jobs in the IT industry that don't involve working on a help desk.

Try to find a more interesting, demanding and well paid job in IT and not just a "help desk" job.

There are many IT jobs that involve visiting customers and getting "out and about".

I lived in the UK and taught IT classes for customers world wide so visited most countries in Europe, went to the USA about half a dozen times, also even went to Japan.

There are loads of jobs in IT that are NOT help desk jobs and stuck in a cubicle.

[Guilbert53]

One other thing.

You say your degree was in Data Risk Analysis.

I would have thought in this day and age with HUGE banks of hard disks holding important data, plus the risk from hackers, viruses, criminals, terrorists etc, that companies are crying out for people skilled in data risk analysis.

Try to locate companies that concentrate on data risk analysis and see if you can get a job with them.

Even if you don't want to stay doing that, once you are inside any company it is often possible to move to another department that may interest you more.

I started in IT over 40 years ago cleaning mechanical devices (it was all punched cards and huge printers in those days) but finished up teaching people about data warehousing.

THINK BIG, don't think small.

[waterboatman]

It's your life, not your parent's.

Look at it this way. Everything you buy has been delivered on a truck. I drove HGV's having got the licence in the army. Did it for quite a while when I left the army. I was the only driver on the company that has two HGV's. a 24 ton six wheel tipper and a 24 ton flatbed for carrying bricks from the works to customers all over Hampshire. I loved it. (I have two engineering degrees by the way) Go for what you want to do. Driving will bring you an income while you wait for something you can do with your degree. Many truck drivers have other qualifications.

[Guilbert53]

>>>Everything you buy has been delivered on a truck.

Everybody has to breath air but you are not going to get rich or make a career out of selling it.