The alarms that mark the morning of so many days are more than often set to function around the early morning train, bus, or otherwise commute, be it getting to work, school, or perhaps that very essential yoga class.
Transport is doubtlessly among the basic necessities of life. After all, without transportation, we wouldn’t have food on our tables or clothes on our backs. Transportation makes it possible for us to get where we need to go when we need to go there.
Transportation makes it possible for us to ship goods from place to place so that we can find what we want at prices we can afford. Not only is it a requirement for people in their daily chores, but it’s an essential ingredient for the prospects of a better state and economy, being amongst the largest industries in the world, thus posing as a prominent career choice.
As choosing a career is a very significant part of your life and should be carefully considered, so today, let us guide you through the promising prospects of the transport industry.
An Intro To The Transportation Industry
One of the biggest sectors in the world, transportation, is continuing to expand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics declares that many new employment opportunities will be available for individuals who wish to earn a living as truck drivers because the demand for their services is expected to rise by 28 percent over the next ten years.
Four important industries fall under the broad category of transportation:
- The Aviation Sector, Includes All Types Of Air Travel, Encompassing Both Commercial And Passenger Transport.
- The Motor Vehicle Business, Incorporates Both Long-Distance And Short-Distance Transportation Careers.
- Passenger And Freight Trains, Make Up The Transportation Rail System Business.
- Water Transportation, Which Provides Opportunities On Both Passenger And Cargo Ships.
But is a job in the transportation sector really worth being called a good career path? The answer to this depends on various elements discussed further in this article. So, keep reading with us!
Pros Of Working In The Transportation Sector
Careers in transportation are engaging, demanding, and profitable. You will play an imperative role in getting freight and people to their destination as a transporter. Besides, if you love traveling and are adept at it, working in the transportation sector can be a great career choice.
Numerous choices and opportunities are available in the field of transportation. From lorry drivers to pilots, you can opt for any profession to excel in the transportation industry. A career in transport is advantageous because of the following factors:
1. Transportation And Logistics: A Fast-Growing, Secure, And High-Demand Industry
There is a desperate need for transportation jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck driver jobs are expected to grow substantially faster than all the other occupations through 2024 due to rising freight volumes and the need to fill vacant positions by retiring workers.
Consequently, given the shortage of workers brought on by the high demand in the sector, your job security is guaranteed.
2. The Potential Of Making More Money Than Average
Transportation is one of the world’s biggest and most profitable sectors and provides security of revenue and future. Every year, millions of passengers and freight worth trillions of dollars are transported around the globe.
With such a high demand, which cannot be ignored or met elsewhere, businesses often have a tonne of revenue potential.
Profitable companies can then pass on income to their staff through increases, bonuses, and higher commission rates because they make more money in the transportation industry, even during the most uncertain times.
3. Diversity In Employment Opportunities
A transportation career is broad and challenging. Opportunities are available in a wide range of transportation-related businesses, including aircraft, railways, maritime transport, and trucking.
There is no restriction on the extent your journey can go because you will have the chance to gain expertise in every industry area, from operating and managing vehicles to monitoring operations and logistics management.
4. Develop New Skills
Working in the transportation sector is a daunting task. You will encounter issues that you must resolve immediately and make informed decisions. These difficulties, however, might encourage you to be inventive and creative in your work field while also helping you polish your professional skills.
The transportation sector has all of the difficulties that call for problem-solving abilities as well as leadership and organizational skills. Thus, as your career in the transport sector develops, you also start picking up certain talents that will be valuable in the long term.
5. Working In The Transportation Sector Is Rewarding
Employment in the transportation sector will never make you sense that your efforts are in vain. The most exciting thing you can do is support successful enterprises. Without the aid of the transportation industry, stores would simply run out of goods, inflation would soar, and costs will rise drastically.
Thus, those working in the transportation sector can sleep each night soundly, knowing they truly contributed their efforts. Refrigerators are stocked to the brim, store shelves are overflowing, and infrastructure is constantly improving thanks to the effort logistics specialists make.
Job Posts In The Transportation Sector
The transportation sector is one that is constantly evolving and growing, and transportation jobs can present fresh obstacles every day. Besides, a lot of jobs in the transportation industry provide for professional advancement.
Given below are the top positions in the transportation sector with promising career prospects:
1. Truck Drivers
Truck drivers are responsible for moving cargo from one site to another. They frequently move goods from production sites to retail stores. Schedules for truck drivers are usually variable, and they must finish their missions in a certain period.
They may have to travel on local or long-distance routes, keeping them on the road for several days or weeks. Truck drivers typically transport various goods, including food or cattle, depending on their business. The following are some typical duties for this position:
- Vehicle Unloading And Loading.
- Examining The Truck To Make Sure It’s Operating Safely.
- Completing The Relevant Paperwork For Each Shipment.
- Driving Safely And Abiding By The Rules Of The Road, Particularly Those That Apply To Big Vehicles.
- Maintaining a Record Of The Driving Hours, Any Traffic Offenses Committed, And Similar Tasks.
Their average salary depends on their level of experience and qualifications. On average, the salary of a truck driver in the US is estimated at around $70,000 per year.
A few of the truck driver jobs include truck driver supervisor, flatbed driver, delivery driver, and CDL driver.
2. Freight And Material Movement
Material movers handle items such as stock and freight and may help prepare materials for transport or unload them from delivery. Their responsibilities may include carrying materials, wrapping or packaging products, and cleaning equipment.
Material handlers may transport goods manually or with the help of motorized equipment like forklifts to and from loading docks, manufacturing or storage locations, and delivery vans.
The other responsibilities of material handlers include:
- Accepting And Handling Fresh Shipments Of Supplies And Goods.
- Preparing An Account And Keeping Track Of The Placement Of All Materials In a Database.
- Completing Customer Orders.
- Preserving Written Records For All Shipped Commodities.
- Using Digital Media To Weigh The Goods.
- Using Mechanical Equipment, Such As Clamp Trunks, Manual Jacks, And Lift Trucks Safely.
- Inspecting Equipment And Assisting With Repairs As Required.
The average annual salary of material handlers is estimated to be $30,000 depending on the number of working hours. A few material handling jobs include production scheduler, logistician, packaging engineer,
3. Operations Analyst
Operations analysts enable transportation enterprises to implement target strategies and resolve internal issues. This job involves organizing and planning the specifics of moving freight from the source to the destination. These are intricate networks of operational positions—like truck drivers—and administrative ones—like logistics specialists.
Operations analysts usually perform the following duties:
- Determine The Operational Issues
- Utilize Models To Investigate Problems
- Provide Recommendations And Solutions To Problems
- Work Together With Coworkers
The average annual salary for a full-time operations analyst is approximately $58,000.
If you’re planning to work as an operations analyst, make sure you fulfill their educational requirements that include complete know-how of business, engineering, statistics, and management courses.
4. Air Transportation
Careers in air transportation involve moving both passengers and cargo. These professions include every facet of efficient air transport, from different kinds of pilots to technicians to airport staff. Each role requires an extra level of education, experience, and qualifications.
Air transportation involves careers, including pilots, air traffic controllers, flight attendants, gate agents, operations crew members, and flight instructors.
Air traffic controllers and airline pilots require a good amount of studies and qualifications to get the job. Air traffic controllers must have an associate degree, while airline pilots must have a bachelor’s degree.
The annual salary in air transport careers varies according to the profession. For instance, the average yearly salary for a pilot is approximately $43,000 and for a flight attendant is roughly $34,000.
5. Railroad Transportation
Railroad transportation involves transporting freight or people. Railway workers run vehicles that travel vast distances between cities or towns carrying people or cargo by rail. Additionally, they work in teams responsible for repairing damaged switches and railway tracks.
There are several railroad occupations for different jobs. Many jobs simply call for a high school diploma and come with extensive on-the-job training.
A railroad transportation career may include jobs such as a conductor, yardmaster, locomotive technician, rail car maintenance, train driver, and locomotive brake operator.
The average annual salary of a railway worker is approximately $45,000. However, the figure may vary according to the job.
6. Water Transportation
Water transportation careers involve transporting people or freight via water bodies, including oceans and rivers.
Water transportation workers often have highly specialized responsibilities on the vessel they work on. In addition, they may be called upon to address medical emergencies or rescue passengers from sinking ships.
This industry offers a variety of entry-level positions and other positions that require additional certifications. Some types of water transportation careers include working as a captain, deckhand, marine oiler, motorboat operator, and marine cargo inspector.
The average annual salary of a marine transportation worker figures around $75,000 at entry-level, while the number may exceed $100,000 according to the level of expertise.
7. Public Transportation
Many specialized occupations in public transportation are related to efficiently transporting people.
Professionals in these fields must adhere to traffic laws and take routes that follow predetermined schedules to ensure efficient, on-time delivery. Employees in the public transportation industry need to have excellent customer service abilities.
Careers in public transportation include bus drivers, subway operators, van drivers, taxi drivers, route supervisors, schedulers, and fleet managers.
The average annual salary in a public transportation career ranges from around $30,000 to $40,000, depending on the type of job.
8. Private Transportation
Careers in private transportation involve the safe carriage of passengers with who the employee has specific contracts, such as working for businesses or institutions. They are in charge of handling shipments or transporting customers promptly.
Duties of private transportation employees typically include:
- Transporting Customers Or Items Between Locations
- Reaching Destinations On Time
- Meet Administrative Requirements, Such As Office Pickups
- Interact With Clients Appropriately
- Make Sure The Car Is Always Fuelled Up And Ready To Go.
- Plan Any Necessary Car Repairs.
Types of private transportation jobs include chauffeur, bus driver, and courier driver. The average annual salary ranges between $45,000 to $55,000.
9. Diesel Engine Mechanic
A diesel mechanic is a specialist who repairs machines and vehicles with diesel engines. They usually look after automobiles, find issues, and fix them. A diesel mechanic will often do routine maintenance tasks as well. Other duties of a diesel mechanic include the following:
- Inspecting Equipment And Vehicles To Find Faults Or Symptoms Of Degradation.
- Restoring Broken Devices To Functioning Order.
- Describing Mechanical Issues To Owners And Detailing The Work Carried Out And What To Look Out For After Repairs.
The average annual salary of a diesel mechanic rounds off to around $60,000.
10. Road Maintenance Worker
A road maintenance worker’s job is fixing roads, highways, and airport runways. Their work involves replacing guard rails, highway markings, and snow railings, coupled with patching up damaged or broken pavements.
Their primary duty is to ensure a safe traveling experience by maintaining the quality of roads. They also replace safety barriers and markings, fill craters, and clear obstructed streets and pathways.
A road maintenance worker’s average annual salary is around $45,000.
Challenges In The Transportation Industry
When it comes to a career, who would have any time to waste? It’s imperative to note what challenges await you if you join the transportation industry.
Even though it opens doors to opportunity for many people, the main drawbacks of working in the transportation sector include the following:
1. Volatile Industry
Transportation generally undergoes constant change. With frequent shortages, delays, and time constraints, market rates, laws, and regulations are subject to change.
Stress might accompany workers in the transportation industry if there isn’t adequate preparation, excellent training, and a keen awareness of market trends.
Even though positions in accounting, human resource management, finances, and other executive agencies tend to be a little more secure, transportation flows affect people in all roles, demanding a quick-witted person in each of them.
2. Competitive Sector
The transportation industry is fiercely competitive. A department, sector, or company’s success could be destroyed by underperformance in a single position. Individual success immediately affects the success of the larger firm in such a competitive industry.
So, if you feel the transportation business is the one for you, be ready to put in a lot of effort and accept being held accountable for your tasks.
3. Volatile Income
For many people, having a consistent income is essential. However, a lot of individuals in the transportation industry, especially those in administrative roles, are paid an hourly pay rate.
Moreover, the volatility of transportation occasionally affects workers who get commission incentives. It can be challenging for sales and operations staff to receive a reliable commission because so many factors are outside their control, including supply and demand, fuel prices, maintenance costs for trucks and trailers, and insurance premiums.
You might want to avoid these commissioned positions or pick a different business entirely if you seek a stable, reliable monthly income.
4. Difficult To Satisfy Customers
In the end, shipping freight is another cost businesses must bear. Therefore, as you can expect, shippers heavily consider the price. No matter how many shipments you’ve made for them, many firms will go elsewhere if they can save some money by doing so.
This is a typical difficulty faced by experts in the sector, even though explaining the advantages of working with them and justifying the higher price can help.
Is The Transportation Career Worth Your Time And Energy?
Choosing a career is a very significant part of your life and hence should be carefully considered. Several opportunities are available in the field of transportation. Therefore, it proves to be a good career choice because of the following reasons:
1. High Demand
Jobs in transportation are in high demand. Due to a growth in cargo volume and the need to replace retiring employees, truck driver jobs are expected to grow substantially faster than the average for every other occupation in the coming years.
2. Secure Future
The transportation industry provides a steady future. According to several reports, drivers’ median yearly incomes are high compared to those of all other professions.
3. Opportunity To Learn And Grow
Jobs in the transportation sector are challenging. Opportunities are available in a wide range of transportation-related businesses, including aviation, railways, maritime, and trucking.
There is no bound to the extent your career can go because you’ll have the opportunity to gain expertise in every industry area, from operating cars to controlling teams to monitoring operations and logistics.
Final Thoughts
Although the transportation sector is undoubtedly profitable and advantageous, success in it requires a high level of expertise, knowledge, and meticulous attention to detail. This industry offers a variety of lucrative opportunities as well as jobs for individuals who don’t necessarily wish to move up the corporate ladder.
A profession in transportation is advantageous. You might have a positive response because the transportation sector is highly regulated, and it is challenging to keep up with all the latest facts and developments. However, if you’re persistent enough and stay current with the news, this position can be a good fit for you.