Careers in Trucking: Women in the Fast Lane
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When you think of a truck driver does that memorable scene from Thelma and Louise come to mind?
Ellen Voie wants to change that stereotype and amplify gender diversity in the trucking industry; so she started Women in Trucking, a nonprofit, whose mission is to mentor women with the information, education, opportunity, community, and support they need to succeed in a male-dominated business. Established in 2007, the organization now boasts more than 4,000 members.
Voie\\u2019s pivot happened after earning degrees in broadcast journalism and communications. She landed a job in a steel fabricating plant where she moved up the ranks to transportation management and thus her second pivot into the trucking industry.
Voie speaks about her organization\\u2019s diversity and inclusion initiatives, the best practices for women drivers, and why \\u201cthey should ask a lot of questions and make sure they know what they\\u2019re getting into before signing on the dotted line.\\u201d She also lends her opinions on how the pandemic affected the trucking industry and why the turnover rate for \\u201con the road\\u201d \\u2014 or long-haul \\u2014 drivers is so high. Listen to her five steps to consider before pursuing a career in the trucking industry, on this episode of SheVentures.
2:03 What attracted Voie to the trucking industry?
6:04 What was the catalyst for Voie to start her organization, Women in Trucking?
13:22 Voie talks about barriers to women in trucking
15:35 Five steps Voie would recommend to young women interested in trucking careers
18:32 Voie shares typical wages for entry- and intermediate-level drivers.
23:38 Why is there a demand for on-the-road drivers, and how is their job different from daily drivers?
26:05 Reasons Voie feels churn (the turnover rate) is so high in the trucking industry
29:40 How the pandemic affected the trucking industry
32: 52 What are the statistics on assault and microaggression affecting women in trucking?
35:17 Voie speaks about her organization\'s diversity and inclusion initiatives
40:02 Advice Voie would give her younger self and where listeners can find out more about WIT