Career Roadmap
Phyllis's work combines: Travel, Environment & Nature, and Working Independently
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Vocational
CDL Certification
Laidlaw Bus Transit
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Bus Driver:
Vocational: CDL Certification
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Married way too young and I was not self supporting. I would not recommend this path for any woman.
2.
Then I tried all sorts of jobs. I worked in a hospital which I did not care for at all. I worked in landscaping and loved being outdoors. This was very physical labor.
3.
Then I decided to get my CDL. I took my training at Laidlaw University. They had a great safety course and I learned everything I needed. The company trained and guided me through to certification.
4.
Then I applied at Midway Shuttle Bus Operations. I worked there over a decade and was very happy there. I only wish I had gotten my CDL much sooner than I did.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
Why would you want to drive a bus? Why would you want to transport passengers all day long? How many times do you go back and forth on the same route? Do you just drive around in a circle all day long? How can you stand the traffic?
How I responded:
I have dealt with the discouragement by staying positive. Every job has a certain degree of repetition. I would counter the negativity with true statements such as stating every trip is different. This includes traffic patterns and different people you meet constantly. I so enjoy being in the outdoor setting even when the weather is terrible. When you are driving for your job I find it to be more relaxed. You cannot control certain things and there is no need to hurry on the clock.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I've overcome this obstacle by just sticking to the plan. I wanted to become a driver and I didn't stop until I accomplished this. I moved on from driving a school bus to driving for Midway International Airport. That is the place I loved to work.