How much did you actually know before you made your career decision?

Not what you thought you knew. What did you really understand about the work, the pay, the day-to-day — before you committed years of your life and thousands of dollars to it?

Most people don't have a good answer. And the ones who do usually wish they'd asked better questions first.

This is the first episode of Built in the Midwest. Hosts Josh and RJ both made career decisions they'd handle differently — and that's a big reason this show exists. They get into what goes wrong when people choose a path based on emotion instead of information, the careers that were never even presented as options, and why a classroom full of people ranging from 18 to 65 might tell you more about the trades than any brochure ever could.

WHAT WE GET INTO

1. Why it's crazy to make a life-altering decision based on almost no real information
2. A 26-year-old veteran was terrified of being the oldest person in a classroom — and what he found out when he got there
3. The career paths that were never even presented as options — and what that costs people
4. How emotion drives most career decisions, and what happens when you try to reverse-engineer the facts afterward
5. What this show is here to do about all of it

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Two guys who believe people should have the opportunity to work meaningful, well-paying careers that allow you to live well and provide for your family.

1. Josh Barron serves as the School Director for Midwest Truck Driving School as well as North Country Heavy Equipment & Electrical Line School.
2. RJ Parrish manages the schools' marketing and media, helping to drive awareness and understanding of trades career opportunities.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Cold open

00:42 — What this show is and who it's for

01:13 — The 18-to-80 classroom

02:36 — "If I don't do this, I'm going to regret it"

03:27 — The veteran who thought 26 was too old

08:35 — The question most high schoolers can't answer

11:40 — "I had a very different image in my head"

13:48 — The decision that started with a Starbucks

16:01 — Emotional decisions vs. informed ones

18:30 — The guests you'll hear from in this show

21:45 — "That decision will affect you your entire life"

CONNECT

1. Website: midwesttruckdrivingschool.com/podcast
2. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CDLMidwest
3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwesttruckdrivingschool/
4. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@midwesttruckdrivingskool

Got a story? Know someone who should be on the show? Reach out at midwesttruckdrivingschool.com/podcast

Learn more about the training we offer at midwesttruckdrivingschool.com

New episodes drop every Friday.