Is Transportation a Good Career Path for Fresh Graduates in 2023

A career in transportation has grown over the years and it’s important to know that transportation is a good career path for any fresh graduates or those willing to change their careers.

Indeed, the demand for transportation will continue to be high because it is essential to both our economy and our way of life.

The requirement for a human operator may not go away soon, even though cars are becoming more and more electronic.

The bulk of transportation-related occupations is well-paid since a substantial portion of them demand training or a higher level of education. Many of them also provide an important amount of autonomy and responsibility.

We believe this is the reason a company like the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport exists and every year they provide job opportunities to fresh graduates.

Working your entire career in the transportation industry won’t be difficult because it is a broad and essential sector of the economy.

Since many of the abilities gained in this profession may apply to other industries as well, changing careers shouldn’t be too difficult if you think to do so in the future.

This article will provide insights into why transportation is a good career path, the job, and salary prospects, and the list of the best pay jobs in the field.

Table of Contents

What is Transportation?

Simply put, transportation is the act of moving people, products, and services. The movement has been an essential component of business since the dawn of time.

Without the help of transportation, there would have been no possibility of international business.

In the past, traders canvassed their wares from one city to the next using donkeys and camels.

Today, however, there are many air, sea, and land transportation modes available.

You Should Check Out: Is Marine Transportation A Good Career Path For Graduates In 2023?

Is Transportation A Good Career Path?

A profession in the transportation industry is a good career choice for any prospective student. It provides several options and can lead to a wide range of vocations.

Careers in transportation are accessible in a variety of economic areas. Transportation positions are available in both the public and private sectors. Those who work in transportation keep the country’s economy going by moving people and things via land, sea, air, and space.

More so, those transportation occupations that provide a decent salary, benefits, and long-term work chances are one thing that makes them so alluring.

Because they appreciate what they do and believe that by offering dependable and safe modes of transportation, most workers in this industry stay with their employers for years at a time.

What Are The Examples Of Transportation Careers?

The transportation industry is a vast and lucrative field that includes several sectors, including marine, trucking, railroads, airplanes, and ships.

There are numerous career opportunities in the transportation industry including:

Logistics engineer
Consultant
flight attendants for an airline or charter service
Customer service
Purchasing manager
Supply-Chain manager
Locomotive drivers
Freight forwarder
Truck drivers
Aircraft mechanics
Marine cargo inspector
Subway train operator

What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Career in Transportation?

When searching for a fulfilling career path in the transportation sector, you must evaluate its pros and cons as it helps understand what the future holds for you in this field.

Pros

You can maintain a work and life balance in this field
High possibility of earning above the average income
The industry offers opportunities for career advancements in your area of specialty
Despite technological advancements, there’s a high job security rate.
The industry provides you with the opportunity to travel around the world.

Cons

Meeting customer’s expectations can be quite challenging
Income volatility exists in some positions
Excessive workload
Stress in the workplace

Don’t Fail to Also Read: Is Miscellaneous A Good Career Path For Graduates? | 2023

What Are The Skills Required to Succeed in a Career in Transportation?

Asides from having the requisite education and training requirements, most positions in the transportation industry require you to have substantial skills and technical knowledge.

With years of experience and training, you’ll be able to gain the top skills to excel in the transportation industry

The skills required to succeed in a career in transportation are

Communication skills
Organizational skills,
Attention to detail,
Leadership skills
Data analysis
Technical skills
Consultative skills
Knowledge of the transportation industry
Customer service
Interpersonal skills
Analytical skills
Accountability

You Should Also Read: Is Oil And Gas Production A Good Career Path For Graduates In 2023?

What Are The Education And Training Requirements for a Career in Transportation?

Having the proper education and requisite training is essential for a career in the transportation industry.

While most job positions in the industry may require no college degree or its equivalent, most well-paying jobs require the following education and training requirements.

High School Diploma or Professional Certification

Most entry-level jobs require at least a high school diploma or its equivalent to stand a chance of being considered.

For example, minor requirements for a train engineer are a high school diploma and a company-sponsored training program, railroad operations certificate.

Check Also: Is Public Utilities A Good Career Path For Graduates in 2023?

Bachelor’s Degree

A college degree from a reputable institution earns you some well-paying job positions in the transportation industry.

Applicants interested in this career path should get a degree in engineering, physics, aeronautics, marine transportation, or any closely related field.

Master’s Degree

A master’s degree shows you have advanced knowledge and training in your selected area of expertise.

If the position you are applying for requires a master’s degree, then you must meet the requirements.

It is important to note that many transportation jobs require a license to legally practice in the industry. This usually involves going through the required training and passing the board exams.

For most professions in the transportation sector, there is a requisite license.

Such positions and their license include:

Pilots

Private Pilot License
Commercial Multi-Engine License
Certified Flight Instructor

Flight Attendants

Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency from the FAA

Train Engineers

License by the Federal Railroad Association.

What are the Salary and Job Outlook For a Career in Transportation?

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that between 2020 and 2030, employment in transportation and material moving jobs will increase by 9%.

This adds roughly 1.1 million jobs, which is nearly as quickly as the average for all occupations.

Additionally, it is anticipated that nearly all economic sectors will require personnel to transfer materials.

Check Also: Is Capital Goods A Good Career Path in 2023?

How Much Can You Make From Transportation?

A transportation career path is beneficial, especially for anyone interested in a stable career with h good job and salary outlook.

Since the transportation industry is broad, encompassing everything from public transit to trucking to taxi services, the pay grade of each employee differs based on certain factors such as area of specialty, educational level, and work experience.

Below is a list of some transportation jobs and their pay rates.

Helicopter Pilot – $100,000
Air Traffic Controllers – $129,757
Port Workers – $74,417
Railroad Yardmasters – $90,530
Dispatchers – $44,051
Civil Engineer – $76,000
Freight Operations Supervisor – $55,357
Longshore Pilots – $80,521
Highway Maintenance Workers – $45,880
Commercial Airplane Pilots – $203,851

You may also like to check out: 20 Best Paying Jobs in Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service | 2023

List of Best Paying Jobs in Transportation

Transportation is a broad field that encompasses many sectors, including trucking, railroads, airplanes, and ships.

If you are considering starting a career in transportation, there are many career opportunities in the industry and some of the best-paying jobs include

Purchasing Manager – $123,174
Logistics Manager – $113,002
Airplane Pilot – $108,000
Helicopter Pilot – $100,000
Flight Test Engineer – $92,997
Traffic Engineer – $79,000
Train Engineer – $79,000
Supply Chain Analyst – $65,000
Civil Engineer – $76,000
Freight Operations Supervisor – $55,357

See how each of these best paying jobs stands out in the article: 20 Best Paying Jobs in Transportation in 2023

What Companies are in the Transportation Field?

The transportation industry continues to grow steadily with the constant technological advancements and consumers making more online purchases than ever.

The major aim of transportation companies is to ensure all passengers, as well as goods, get to their assigned destinations safely.

The top companies in the transportation industry are as follows

United Parcel Service (UPS)
FedEx
XPO Logistics
Hub Group
Schneider National
DHL
J. B. Hunt
C. H. Robinson
Expeditors International
Kuehne + Nagel
Old Dominion Freight Line
Union Pacific Corporation
Uber

People are also reading: Is Integrated Oil Companies A Good Career Path? | Career Tips

How to Get Started in a Career in Transportation

The transportation industry plays a tremendous role in the global economy as it grows year after year, so it is no surprise that many are becoming interested in a career in the industry.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare, start a career and grow and break into the industry.

Obtain all educational requirements and training

Each profession in the transformation industry has its educational requirements attached to its job descriptions.

If you are interested in this field, you should have a high school diploma, bachelor’s, master or associate degree, and a license to practice.

All degrees and licenses should be gotten in from the discipline and agency.

Sharpen your skills set

Various job positions require certain skills to succeed in this sector. It is important to have soft and hard skills when preparing for a career in transportation.

However, skills are gained and mastered by your years of experience. Since the transportation industry is diverse, you can transfer knowledge and skill application gained from your previous career path to your current field.

Join a network system

When starting a new career, you must build/join a networking system that connects you with employees and employers within the transportation sector.

Such connections provide links to job opportunities, training programs, mentorship schemes, and many more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the major problems in the transportation sector?

Some of the biggest issues surrounding transportation systems include: Traffic management measures, long commutes, parking issues, large fleet costs, and Sprawling cities

What are the 5 modes of transportation?

The 5 made of transportation are Road, Rail, Marine, Air, and Intermodal Transportation.

What’s the difference between transportation and logistics?

Transportation involves moving people and goods from one place to one, while logistics involves planning and operation of complicated transportation operations.

How much does a supply chain analyst earn?

A supply chain analyst makes around $65,000 per year.

Conclusion

Without transportation, economic activity would cease. Additionally, there are many employment options for transporters.

You have a career if you enjoy traveling a lot and if you enjoy spending every day with your family and don’t enjoy traveling, singleism is a viable professional option for you! It’s a win-win for anyone.

Finally, a benefit of working in the transportation industry is that as your experience grows, so does your pay.

You should certainly consider a career in transportation if the aforementioned careers and qualifications sound appealing to you and are within your reach.

References

blog.bizvibe.com – Top 10 Largest Trucking Companies in the World 2022
adecco.co.uk – Top 12 Job Skills To Power Your Logistics Career
atsinc.com – The Pros and Cons of a Career In The Transportation Industry

Is Transportation A Good Career Path for Graduates? | 2023 Career Tips