TRANSPORTATION
Advanced technology and elbow grease keep Houston moving.
Houston’s economy has strong demand for skilled workers in its transportation and transportation service sectors. There are more than 212,400 area residents who work in the transportation and material moving sector. Also, Houston residents own or rent more than 1.3 million vehicles which require ongoing maintenance and service. Employers and consumers, alike, place great importance on finding high-quality mechanics to service their vehicles.
With Greater Houston’s ports and its distribution centers, goods and materials are moved in, out and across Houston every day. Whether its food for hotels, hospitals, or schools; or its building materials for construction projects; or its goods arriving by ship; Houston needs to move things.
Professionals who drive tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles are critical to their customers’ operations, which could include hospitals, construction companies, schools, or manufacturing facilities. As an automotive technician, you could keep people and goods moving by road, through inspecting, maintaining and repairing cars and light trucks. Every day is different, offering the opportunity to solve puzzles—often without physical clues, like a knocking engine bearing or vibrating axle shaft.
A transportation career could be right for you if you enjoy solving problems, using technology, or meeting new people, as well as if you appreciate variety in your day, and like technologically brilliant vehicles.
My life as a City Driver
Mary Kelldorf had been around trucks all her life but never considered driving one for a living. And then she tried it. “Once I got in the truck, I was hooked,” she said. “It was like, ‘I can do this.’” Now, she wishes she had entered the field sooner.
Mary describes how she uses her communication skills to build relationships with her customers. Learn what it means to have good communication skills that employers appreciate.
My life as a City Driver
Jaret Holmes left a job in an office-like setting for a career that allowed him to be more active and see different scenery every day. He learned to drive a commercial vehicle safely and earned the necessary driving endorsements through a program offered by his new employer.
Driving safely is important, Jaret says, and successful drivers need to be aware of their surroundings and environment. See why having a safety mindset is important to employers in a variety of settings.
My life as an Automotive Technician
Stephanie Edwards understands that when parents tell children to go to college, “it’s not so much about the college,” she said. “It’s about wanting their child to have a good and successful life… You can absolutely do that with a technical school education.”
Stephanie solves problems to identify or address issues with the vehicles she services. Learn what else problem solving means and why it’s a skill employers value.