I left my job at a bank to become a truck driver. I love the independence and spending more time outdoors.
Courtesy of Tara Maxam; iStock; Rebecca Zisser/Insider
- Tara Maxam, 31, was working as a banker and loan officer when the pandemic hit.
- She wanted a more flexible and outdoorsy role, so she went to school to be a truck driver.
- Here's Maxam's story, as told to writer Taayoo Murray.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tara Maxam, a 31-year-old truck driver from Tampa, Florida, who works for Schneider National. It has been edited for length and clarity.
This story is part of "How the Pandemic Changed My Career," an Insider series documenting the moves and moments that shaped people's careers over the last two years.
I was a banker and loan officer for two years. The branch closed temporarily for about four months between March and June 2020, when the pandemic hit and state lockdowns went into effect. There was still work to be done at the branch, so my coworkers and I were still required to work remotely to assist other departments.
Living indoors became the new normal, and I was starting to realize that being outdoors felt more therapeutic and refreshing.
Now, as a truck driver, I call my windshield my big-screen TV. On my lunch breaks and resets, I stop to sightsee and enjoy the view. It's different from working at the bank because I get to see the world from a different point of view.
On June 18, I handed in my letter of resignation at the bank
There had always been something more I yearned to experience but couldn't quite put my finger on it. I had an ongoing interest in trucking, but being a woman, I hesitated at first. As the pandemic unfolded, I realized how therapeutic being on the road could be for me.
My manager and coworkers were sad to see me leave but so proud to see me take on a new challenge. My family was also scared for me yet supportive.
My partner, who's a truck driver, inspired me. My first spark of interest in trucking came after seeing how effortlessly he enjoyed driving 18-wheelers.
I started truck-driving school on June 21 and officially started my driving career on August 18.
Going in, I was very nervous
With beginning anew in what I considered to be quite an adventurous career, I was honestly terrified at first. I've always been afraid of major change, but this was something I really wanted to do.
The biggest challenge for me was stepping outside my comfort zone. While in trucking school, I had to learn every part of the truck, as it's mandatory not only for the final state exam to obtain my commercial driver's license but also important for doing proper daily inspections.
I trained tirelessly to get to my state exam day
Trucking school was 11 hours a day, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
I had to complete backing-up training, practicing the three backing-up techniques. On my first state exam, I failed my 90-degree alley-dock backing test. That meant I failed the entire exam and would need to retake it on another day.
That was a major setback mentally. I replayed the moment so many times in my mind. I watched a lot of YouTube videos and observed other students doing backing practices. That helped me to see what I was doing wrong or right and also helped me see how I could improve. It gave me the confidence I needed to go back and pass my state exam with one of the highest scores at the truck-driving school, according to the school manager.
My perspective on work and life has changed tremendously, especially throughout the pandemic
With changing careers and losing a family member to COVID-19, I've learned to appreciate life and family time.
As an essential worker, the pandemic has also made me realize how much more important my role in society is. Truck drivers are necessary for transporting everything. We are the lifeline of the world.
My schedule allows me to have work-life balance
My days are quite flexible. I create my daily schedule and drive mostly during the nighttime so I don't fight with traffic, unless there's a major accident on the road or roadwork.
On average, I work roughly nine to 10 hours a day, depending on my assignment route. I drive from Georgia to Florida every day, or alternate days. I pick up my loads in Georgia and deliver to store locations throughout Florida. I'm not away from home for too long, and I do get weekends off.
At the bank, I worked every day from 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, and was confined to an office space. And the pay wasn't as good as driving trucks.
I enjoy the independence that driving trucks allows me. However, truck driving isn't always fun. When there's a breakdown, tire blowout, or backed-up traffic on the road, it plays against my hours of service. These delays affect delivery time and sometimes run me completely off schedule.
Post-pandemic, I plan to continue trucking. I want to drive to the other 48 states and possibly Canada. That's something I'd like to experience.
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