Page de couverture de Built in the Midwest

Built in the Midwest

Built in the Midwest

Auteur(s): Midwest Truck Driving School
Écouter gratuitement

À propos de cet audio

 There are careers that pay six figures, have massive demand, and take months to get into — not years. The reason most people never consider them has nothing to do with the work. It has to do with what they were never told. Built in the Midwest is where we have real conversations about careers in the skilled trades. From truck driving and electrical line work to heavy equipment and beyond. We bring in the people doing the work, the employers hiring for it, and the instructors training the next generation — because most people make career decisions with almost no real information. They pick a path based on what everyone else is doing, what sounds good on paper, or what their parents did. And then they spend the rest of their life wondering if they got it wrong. This show exists so you don't have to guess. You'll hear what the work actually looks like, what it pays, what employers want, and what nobody tells you before you get started. Hosted from Escanaba, Michigan by Midwest Truck Driving School, where we train CDL drivers, linemen, and heavy equipment operators. But the conversations here go well beyond our own programs — because the trades are bigger than any one school, and the decision you're making deserves the full picture. Whether you're an employer who wants to share your perspective, a tradesperson with a story, or someone trying to figure out their next move — pull up a chair and tune in. Got a question about a specific trade or career? Send us a message. We'll get into it on a future episode. New episodes every Friday.Copyright 2026 Midwest Truck Driving School
Épisodes
  • What a Schneider Recruiter Learned from Talking to Thousands of Drivers

    What a Schneider Recruiter Learned from Talking to Thousands of Drivers
    Mar 6 2026

    Jillian Garcia never planned on a career in trucking. She was a self-described introvert who'd spent years in childcare and the restaurant industry before a temp agency placed her at Schneider.

    Ten years later, she's a Senior Territory Recruiter covering Wisconsin and Upper Michigan — and she's talked to more drivers than most people will meet in a lifetime. In this conversation, she opens up about overcoming social anxiety, what she actually looks for when she's evaluating candidates, why the first year breaks some drivers and builds others, and the career paths in trucking that most people don't know exist.

    WHAT WE GET INTO

    — How a girl who was "terribly shy" with social anxiety ended up doing presentations and connecting with people for a living - and why pushing past that fear changed everything

    — The traits that separate drivers who build long careers from the ones who don't make it past year one (hint: it's not driving skill)

    — Why "being teachable" is the single most important piece of advice she gives every new driver

    — What the day-to-day actually looks like at a company like Schneider — home time, truck setup, dedicated vs. OTR, and the options most people don't realize exist

    — Schneider's mirrorless truck technology and why they're always first to test what everyone else eventually adopts

    — The real talk on safety: cameras that protect drivers, tech that prevents accidents, and why "you're the captain of your ship" isn't just a slogan

    ABOUT JILLIAN GARCIA

    Jillian is a Senior Territory Recruiter at Schneider National, covering Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, and Northern Illinois. She's been with Schneider for ten years, starting as a temp in customer service before moving into recruiting. Her grandfather drove for Schneider in the late '70s.

    She travels to CDL schools, hiring events, and job fairs across her territory, connecting with students and career changers who are figuring out their next move.

    📩 GOT A QUESTION ABOUT THE TRADES?

    Leave a comment or send us a message — we'll get into it on a future episode.


    LINKS

    Connect with Jillian: https://www.facebook.com/JillianGarciaSNI

    Midwest Truck Driving School Lineman Program: midwesttruckdrivingschool.com

    North Country Heavy Equipment & Electrical Line School: https://ncheschool.com/


    🔗 CONNECT

    Website: midwesttruckdrivingschool.com

    Email: marketing@midwesttruckdrivingschool.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CDLMidwest

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwesttruckdrivingschool/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@midwesttruckdrivingskool


    New episodes every Friday!
    Voir plus Voir moins
    42 min
  • From the Marines to MO Valley: Mason's Veteran Story

    From the Marines to MO Valley: Mason's Veteran Story
    Mar 6 2026

    Join us as we dive into an engaging chat with Mason, who reveals his unexpected journey from military life to pursuing a career in the trades. He candidly shares how his decision to join the Marines at a young age sparked a series of life events, leading him to discover his true passion for hands-on work. Mason's story is all about finding your niche and not being afraid to pivot when things don't feel right—like when he realized that working behind a desk just wasn’t his jam. We also tackle the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life, and Mason's insights could be a game-changer for anyone feeling a bit lost after leaving the military. So, whether you’re contemplating a career shift or just curious about the trades, this episode is packed with relatable stories and valuable advice.
    Voir plus Voir moins
    34 min
Pas encore de commentaire