Ever had a goal that seemed so far out of reach it would never happen? Drivers set goals all the time, even if they don’t know it: safe navigation from point A to point B, being on-time for a pick-up or delivery. Personal goals for family or finances. Maybe, like me, you’ve got a personal goal related to education, purpose.
I started my journey in education during a ten-year break from trucking. At the time, I was focused on purpose -- I’d become convinced I was meant to help others. In 2010 I began my education in psychology and communications, finishing that portion of it in 2015. I had already interned for two years as an addiction counselor, yet the next portion of the journey was uncertain. To finish my education, I moved and planned to attend a seminary while completing clinical counseling coursework.
But if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.
Riddled with roadblocks, my best-laid plans had to change course. Nothing new for a driver, but it can make you question why you’re doing what you’re doing. I went back to what I knew, trucking. I tried a couple of online courses at two different schools, but neither of them understood the life of a trucker and the difficulty of accessing reliable internet OTR at the time.
I took a year off to reevaluate and volunteered as a chaplain with Channel 21 Ministries, now Lonesome Road. I began to understand the several barriers for truckers seeking mental health services. When I returned to my educational goals, I jumped in the shallow end of the pool by earning a graduate certificate in Life Coaching, then earning my master’s in Mental Health and Wellness with an emphasis in Christian Ministry.
Through it all, I continued to drive as an owner-operator, and also became a writer-contributor here on Overdrive Extra. I stocked my toolbox with anything that could further my goals of helping truckers, and completed more than 40 certifications in addiction therapy, psychological techniques, and nutrition. After graduating, I hung my so-called “shingle” online and began doing just that.
[Related: We are not alone in the struggle against depression and other serious mental-health risks]
I had never planned to go any further in my education, yet after speaking with some very wise and Godly men, I decided to continue in the direction of clinical counseling. Those doors continued to close, and God opened others I didn’t see coming. I realized I could help truckers from within organizations, so I began my PhD journey.
It’s been five long years since that began. My focus has always been on turnover and retention, one of trucking companies’ biggest problems (because they are two sides of the same coin). By identifying why it’s been such a challenge for so many organizations, it’s my hope to improve OTR lives by enhancing organizational operations. Which brings me to the reason for telling you all of this (no, not trying to brag on myself).
I’m finally at the point where I can begin recruiting participants for research to finish the degree. If you’re a professional driver and willing to voluntarily participate in my study, aimed to help your fellow trucker, here are the criteria, and my contact information. I’m looking for U.S. drivers 21 or older who:
- Have 3+ years with the same carrier
- Are willing to take about 5-10 minutes to complete a demographic questionnaire and share their experiences in a 45- to 60-minute Zoom interview, and
- Fill out a short background form.
Participation is voluntary, and strictly confidential -- no driver or company names will appear in the final report.
To learn more or participate, please contact me directly via my email:
Cpetersen10@my.gcu.edu
[Related: OTR lonesome: Proactive measures to fill the social void for real connection]
