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4 reasons to consider a career in the transportation industry

A Schneider associate stands between two company trucks.

Of the multitude and varied businesses and industries in our country, why would someone choose a career in the transportation industry?

If you are looking for a career where you can make a difference, be part of something that matters, continue in your education and receive on-going training, then you may have found your match in transportation.

Reasons to start a career in the transportation / logistics industry:

1. The work you do will make an impact.

There will be a relatable purpose to your work because transportation and logistics are a vital part of our economy. After all – if you bought it – a truck brought it. With the continued growth of online shopping, transportation and logistics have never been more important.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, about 13.3 million people work in the transportation industry. These people have a huge variety of jobs – in customer service, operations, purchasing, warehousing, materials handling, strategy, forecasting, planning, leading and more – and the industry wouldn’t be possible without each one of them.

2. There will be opportunities to advance.

You will have opportunities to grow, learn and develop. You will encounter problems that need resolution, and will be challenged to think differently, seek other perspectives and ask key questions.

There is a focus on designing strategies to attract, recruit and retain top talent in this industry, resulting in plenty of opportunities for advancement during the next several years. This industry is enriched by technology – not replaced.

3. You will be challenged.

The work you do will be varied and challenging. And who doesn’t like a good challenge?

This industry is full of hard-driving and competitive leaders and customers. You will be pushed to do more, and you will, in turn, expect more of yourself. This leads to a sense of pride and accomplishment, which leads to job satisfaction.

4. You will belong to a community.

The world of logistics is a community made up of shippers and providers, carriers and brokers and more. While social attitudes change and modern science improves, there will still always be a need to supply and deliver goods in every part of the world. Most logistics companies have relationships with domestic and international companies alike.

You will belong to an elite group of people who speak the same language and share a passion for this business of transportation. They are dedicated, inspirational and motivated individuals committed to delivering products where they are needed, safely and on time.

Ready to look for a career in the transportation industry?

If I have convinced you to consider a career in this exciting and fast paced industry, I will offer a bit of ‘caution’. This is a 24/7/365 business. It is not necessarily low-stress or a 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. job. Transportation professionals put in long days and even some evenings and weekends.

At times, it may take an all-day marathon to resolve a customer problem. The work doesn’t stop until it is done. Some people thrive in that kind of environment. If you are that kind of person – jump with both feet into transportation.

Ready to make a switch to a career in transportation?

Schneider is a leader in the industry. We have jobs in customer service, engineering, operations, sales & marketing and more. Find out where you could make an impact.

About the author
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Gina’s career in transportation started in 2013 when she joined Schneider on the Corporate Recruiting team, but soon thereafter, moved into a recruiter role for First to Final Mile. Prior to working at Schneider, she spent 21 years in the healthcare industry, managing medical staff credentialing and privileging processes. In her spare time, Gina enjoys working on her hobby farm and spending time outdoors with her husband.

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