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Trucking fleet
Female truckers: Jerrice’s journey at NFI
Welcome to our trucking series exploring the stories that shape the transportation and logistics industries. Check out part one, about truck driver empowerment and driver recruiting. With help from NFI’s Recruitment Marketing Team you’re provided with a broad range of insights from a trucking industry leader.
Meet Jerrice
Jerrice is a driver for NFI, based out of South Bend, Indiana, who defies conventional expectations of who we all imagine drives the big rigs. Her story is not just one of the work we choose to do, but of resilience, female empowerment, and how to remain true to yourself. As part of our ongoing exploration of NFI, a New Jersey-based supply chain solutions provider, and a valued WEX customer, we explored Jerrice’s experiences as a female trucker in the industry.
From working in a nursing home to the open road
For Jerrice, the path to becoming a trucker was not a traditional one. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to reevaluate her career. While working in a nursing home during COVID, she saw the pandemic take 58 residents’ lives. Like many, during a period now known as “the great resignation,” a career change was the answer in the face of fear and loss during the crisis. Over the course of 2021, more than 47 million people quit their jobs: Jerrice was in good company.
It was during this time that a friend introduced her to NFI, sparking her curiosity about the trucking profession. And as she learned more about the job and with the promise of adventure and opportunity, Jerrice seized the chance to embark on a new chapter in her life.
Navigating driver training challenges early on
Despite her determination, Jerrice encountered challenges along the way. The brief training period provided by a Commercial Truck Driving (CDL) training program, while a critical educational experience, didn’t adequately prepare her for the complexities of the road. As she quickly discovered, real-world driving is often different from the textbook scenarios taught in class. There are factors like driver behavior, unspoken and untaught rules of the road, and confusing travel routes that are difficult to navigate.
Jerrice believes in and advocates for trucking companies hosting their own tailored training programs. This way the nuances of specific regions and road conditions can be addressed, giving drivers the information they need to drive safely and confidently.
She saw a leap in her skills when she began training with a female instructor at NFI named Melinda. It was during this training period that Jerrice honed her skills and finally understood the elusive aspects of maneuvering a big truck. Under Melinda’s mentorship, Jerrice finally figured out how to park her trailer—a task she had frustratingly struggled with.
“She is the one who fine-tuned me. With her, I finally figured out how to park my trailer. It must have been a woman’s touch and the verbiage we use to communicate that finally made it click.”
Transcending gender bias in the trucking industry
In her experiences as a female trucker, Jerrice witnessed first-hand the gender biases that can sometimes crop up within the industry. According to Zippia, today women only make up about 15.7% of professional truck drivers in the U.S., a slow but steady growth since 2010 where the number sat at 11%, but still an indicator that men dominate the industry.
Having previously worked in other traditionally masculine fields, such as steel working, Jerrice was no stranger to the skepticism and prejudice that comes with being a woman working a stereotypically male job. Through her strength and resolve, she proved time and time again that gender is no barrier as long as you are doing what you love.
Embracing the freedom of the open road
For Jerrice, the allure of trucking lies in the freedom of being on the road. Despite the dangers of driving, she revels in the opportunity to be outside – to see the changing landscapes and experience the seasons.
That freedom attracts many different types of people to the profession. While she noted that many truckers she works with have been in the profession for a long time, she has also met a lot of people like her – people whose lives were turned upside down during COVID, compelling them to make a change.
The pandemic gave many the opportunity to reevaluate their career aspirations. Many trucking companies provided free training for new drivers to get a CDL, which helped prospects more readily make the decision to enter the trucking profession. With more freedom and more time spent outside of an office building, for many, driving is the most liberating career.
Every day is different when driving, so monotony is not a concern for most. In fact, Indeed recently revealed the top factors that truckers loved the most about their jobs. Most loved the travel, self-supervised work, variety, and the purpose of the job. Trucking is an essential service impacting many industries globally. Being an integral part of a business’ operations comes with a sense of importance and responsibility, which many truckers find gratifying.
Jerrice takes that responsibility especially seriously, doing her best to be safe and considerate on the road. As a former school bus driver for over 16 years, she has maintained a safety-first mindset.
Squashing misconceptions and stereotypes about trucking
One of the biggest truck driver misconceptions she hears is that the job is simply driving. As the operator of an 18-wheeler, it’s the driver’s responsibility to be alert and aware for the entirety of any given trip. They need to be able to react in a split second. They also need a certain level of ingenuity to problem-solve while on the road.
“You sometimes have to be your own mechanic, GPS, or manager. It takes independence and creativity to navigate the challenges that arise when you’re on the road.”
Finding belonging and a supportive community at NFI
A big part of what has made Jerrice’s journey meaningful is her affiliation with NFI. At the start of her trucking career, she researched NFI and quickly found many things to like about the company. She came to appreciate the company’s family values, inclusivity, and their philanthropic initiatives, such as their work with the American Heart Association.
Jerrice particularly likes the SheDrives campaign, which warmly welcomes female truckers at NFI, providing a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Jerrice is actively involved in online communities and social media groups where she can connect with fellow female truckers, share advice, and seek support.
Advice for aspiring truckers
As Jerrice reflects on her trucking journey so far, she offers words of encouragement to those considering a career in trucking: “To anyone thinking about a career in trucking, don’t let anything or anyone get in your way. Go for it, fight for it, and know that you can succeed at anything you put your mind to. Stay true to yourself.”
Jerrice’s journey as a female trucker at NFI embodies the spirit of empowerment and resilience that defines the modern trucking industry. Through her experiences, she challenges stereotypes, overcomes obstacles, and inspires others to pursue their passions fearlessly.
For more trucker stories and information on how to better manage your over-the-road fleet, visit:
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Resources:
Harvard Business Review
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Zippia
Indeed
NFI
Editorial note: This article was originally published on April 30, 2024, and has been updated for this publication.