Freedom to Shape Your Lifestyle

One of the biggest perks in trucking is the level of freedom it offers. Drivers often have the flexibility to choose routes that fit their schedules and personal needs. Want to be home every evening? There are regional routes tailored precisely for that. Prefer longer hauls that allow for exploring new places? That’s an option, too. Trucking isn’t about fitting into a mold—it’s about crafting a career that lets you balance your work and life on your own terms.

Stability in an Uncertain Job Market

Another major advantage of the trucking industry is its job security. With the demand for skilled drivers continually rising, trucking provides a level of stability that’s becoming increasingly rare in many other professions. No matter where you are in your career, this field offers numerous opportunities to advance, diversify, or specialize. It’s a career path where growth isn’t just an option—it’s the norm.

The Unique Camaraderie of the Open Road

Perhaps the most unique aspect of trucking is the community it fosters. Drivers share a bond that’s built on shared experiences, challenges, and mutual respect. Whether it’s swapping stories at a rest stop or engaging in online forums, the friendships in this industry are uniquely supportive. It’s more than just a job; it’s being part of an extended family that truly understands what life on the road is all about.

Joann Y.’s Inspiring Transition

Take Joann Y.’s story, for example. A former flight attendant, Joann made the life-changing decision to join the trucking world after the pandemic reshaped her career. Speaking on an episode of She Drives with Radio Nemo, Joann revealed how trucking with NFI Industries gave her the professional and personal balance she had been searching for.

She shared how trucking provided her with newfound freedom, unmatched job stability, and an empowering sense of purpose. “It was one of the best things I ever did,” Joann explained. Her remarkable story highlights why more people should take a deeper look into trucking as a viable, rewarding career.

Discover What the Road Offers

If you’ve been considering a career that offers more than just a paycheck, Joann’s experience might inspire you. Trucking is about opportunity, growth, and creating a life that works for you. Curious to hear Joann’s full story? Check out her episode on She Drives with Radio Nemo. click here to listen

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Amplify WIT’s Voice on Social Media

Follow WIT on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Sharing posts, liking updates, and spreading the word about WIT’s initiatives helps expand the reach of its mission. Your social media engagement matters!

Stay Informed

WIT keeps members up to date with its weekly e-newsletter, WIT e-News, and its award-winning magazine, Redefining the Road. These resources deliver industry insights, organizational updates, and opportunities to engage. Stay connected by reading these publications and sharing them with others in the industry.

Engage with the Community

WIT’s members-only online platform, Engage, fosters mentoring, community building, and education. By participating in discussions and connecting with other members, you can enhance networking opportunities and grow alongside like-minded individuals. The Engage app makes staying connected even easier.

Participate in Events

WIT hosts impactful events like the annual Accelerate! Conference & Expo, which focuses on empowering and educating women in trucking. This event offers 60+ educational sessions, networking opportunities, and volunteer roles. Additionally, the Salute to Women Behind the Wheel at the Mid-America Trucking Show honors female CDL holders and celebrates their contributions to the industry.

Mentor and Support Career Growth

Through WIT’s mentor match program, members can connect for career development and guidance. Mentoring is a rewarding way to contribute to the growth of others while gaining fresh perspectives yourself.

Advance Your Career

Take advantage of the Professional Development Certification (PDC) program, offering 30 online courses designed to help you grow personally and professionally. The first course, “The History of WIT,” is free for members.

Represent WIT at Industry Events

If you attend industry trade shows or conferences, consider volunteering at the WIT booth or assisting with presentations. It’s an excellent way to connect with others while representing WIT’s mission.

Engaged members are happy members, and your active participation helps WIT thrive. Ready to get involved and make an impact? Join Women In Trucking today and become part of a community dedicated to empowering women in the industry. Click here to join now!

The post How to Get Involved with Women In Trucking appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Source: NFI

NFI’s SheDrives program empowers women in the trucking industry while fostering a community where drivers feel valued and supported.

For Ebony, a CDL spotter working with NFI, this initiative has provided more than just career growth—it’s given her a sense of belonging and a better balance between her job and home life.

“I’m excited to be a part of the SheDrives initiative because I’ve never been part of a company that actually includes its drivers,” Ebony said. “As a female driver, I came from over-the-road (OTR) driving before I joined NFI. Now, I’m local to home, which means I get to be at home with my kids every night—which is awesome.”

From Healthcare to Trucking

Ebony’s career path has been far from conventional. She began as a nurse, working in the field for a decade. Afterward, she transitioned to roles in a food production plant and later as a heavy machine mechanic—both environments traditionally dominated by men.

Her ambition to break the mold led her to set her sights on earning a CDL and exploring opportunities in trucking. Initially, Ebony’s male colleagues doubted her ability to thrive as a truck driver. Instead of discouraging her, their skepticism fueled her determination.

Ebony earned her CDL and started her OTR career, proving her capabilities and silencing the critics. When she discovered an opportunity with NFI as a CDL spotter, she saw the chance to achieve a meaningful work-life balance and jumped at it.

Better Work-Life Balance and a Supportive Culture

At NFI, Ebony discovered a flexible schedule that not only aligns with her professional goals but also allows her to spend more time with her family. The company’s commitment to supporting employees in balancing their work and personal lives stood out to Ebony.

Her supervisor, Brice B., has seen firsthand how dedicated Ebony is to her role. “Ebony was a great hire for 858 as a spotter in Topeka at the bakery,” Brice shared. “She has a high level of ownership of her job and takes great pride in it. She does whatever is asked and even offers possible solutions to issues when they arise. She’s one of the hardest workers we have.”

Brice emphasized NFI’s employee-first mindset as a driving force behind its culture. “Here at 858, we strive to make employees the main focus and always try to put family first,” he said. “

For Ebony, this support system has been invaluable. “It has been exciting to be included as a driver, to be taken care of as a driver, and to be treated like family by my bosses and my co-workers,” she said. “We are a little family.”

A Community That Elevates Women

The SheDrives program does more than reinforce NFI’s inclusive culture—it also creates a platform for women in trucking to connect, share experiences, and uplift each other.

“I like seeing people like myself at NFI,” Ebony said. At a recent SheDrives meeting, it was nice to be able to share similar stories and experiences with other female drivers.

Ebony’s experience has served as a testament to NFI’s dedication to its people, from fostering community to upholding family values. “Some companies say they value family, but it’s not that way once you’re hired,” she said. “This is the first company in over 25 years of working that makes me feel that way.”

Empowering Women to Thrive in Trucking

Ebony hopes more women will take the leap into the trucking industry and is confident that programs like SheDrives will pave the way. Her advice for women aspiring to join the field is simple yet powerful:

“Don’t listen to naysayers,” she said. “Have confidence in yourself. Not only are females capable, but they can be exceptional!”

For Ebony, the support from NFI and SheDrives has been instrumental in her success.

“I’m glad I made this transition to NFI,” she said. “If I decide to go back over the road, I can do that with NFI. That’s the most exciting thing—I don’t have to go to another company. I can just let my bosses know and see if they have any routes available.”

Though she’s still relatively new to the company, Ebony is optimistic about what’s ahead. “From what I’ve seen so far—and what they have to offer—I’m excited and I’m glad to be here,” she concluded.

NFI’s commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for drivers like Ebony demonstrates why they’re a standout in the trucking and transportation industry.

Source: The Trucker

The post Ebony Speaks on How NFI and the SheDrives Initiative Have Redefined Her Career appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

On October 30, the Women in Trucking Association revealed its 2024 list of “Top Companies for Women to Work in Transportation.” Based in Plover, Wisconsin, this organization annually acknowledges companies that prioritize inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.

“Companies named to this prestigious list must demonstrate corporate attributes that are essential to any successful enterprise committed to gender diversity as part of their corporate strategy,” stated Brian Everett, publisher of Redefining the Road magazine.

Everett highlighted key attributes necessary for selection:

• A corporate culture that promotes gender diversity

• Flexible work hours and requirements

• Attractive compensation packages

• Quality benefits, such as paid maternity leave

• Opportunities for training, ongoing education, and professional growth

• Career advancement potential

• Access to well-maintained and secure equipment and facilities for drivers

Norita Taylor, director of public relations at OOIDA, emphasized the organization’s groundbreaking efforts in tackling challenges within the trucking industry.

“OOIDA has fought for the rights of all truckers for more than 50 years and looks forward to seeing more and more women join the industry as drivers and small-business owners,” Taylor shared with Land Line. “At the heart of our mission is to improve conditions for all small-business truckers, which makes it that much better for women to enter and remain in an industry traditionally dominated by men.”

Taylor further noted OOIDA’s unwavering dedication to fairness across the board, which is mirrored by its diverse workforce.

“OOIDA also exemplifies this dedication in its approach to building and maintaining a workplace that respects and acknowledges the unique contributions of its female staff,” Taylor remarked. “By integrating women fully into its ranks, OOIDA leads by example, showing that a more inclusive industry is possible and preferable.”

This year’s compilation by Women in Trucking features a “diverse range of company types” within the trucking realm, including “motor carriers, third-party logistics companies, and original equipment manufacturers.” The acknowledged companies will be celebrated later this month during the 2024 Accelerate! Conference & Expo in Dallas.

Source: Land Line

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