Today we’d like to introduce you to Lakyndria Walker.
Hi Lakyndria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am 25 years old I live in Saint Louis, MO and I am in the transportation industry. I have been a truck driver since September of 2020 and I love the career I’ve chosen. I want to shed light on the topic of how small of a percentage of women are in my field and what it’s like being a female driver in a male-dominated field. I’ve faced many challenges having to prove to myself that I can do the same thing the men in this field can do. Sometimes I’m not taken seriously I’ve had drivers mistake me for a dock worker or receptionist. When they see someone like me, they don’t see a truck driver and that’s the narrative I wanna change when it comes to this industry. Women Truck drivers are often stereotyped as lesbian masculine females. I want people to know that this industry comes with many faces not just one. We as the common people have to break down the barrier of what women should or should not due when it comes to their careers. If a woman wants to be a construction worker, then that’s something she should be able to pursue without getting judged by her mostly male co-workers. I want to be the face of what women in the trucking world are now!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m not going to lie it was definitely a bumpy road and it came with a lot of lessons. When you are in this type of profession, you have to have patience because so many things can go wrong. First and foremost, you have to dedicate so much time and energy into your job. You have to adapt to a lifestyle that you aren’t quite used to and whatever free time you’ve had before you might as well say goodbye because for the first year of your career, you will have to build up your OTR (over the road) experience. But once you get that first year of experience over the road out the way, then you can breathe a little easier because now you can choose between going back on the road or coming home every night. You also have to maintain your safety record in and out of the truck that also includes your personal vehicle. Professional drivers are held to a higher standard because of the knowledge we have been taught on driving Semis. Which is why this job comes with a lot of pressure and that’s what people don’t understand. It’s easy to get your CDL but it’s just as easy to get it taken away.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a truck driver in the transportation industry and what sets me apart from others is my drive to achieve my goals. I am a firm believer of not staying In one position long, I’ve always had a hard-working spirit since the age of 18. I’ve had many jobs I was a gas station manager, customer service agent, correctional officer and the list goes on. I’ve always had it set in my mind the type of lifestyle I was going to live and everything that I wanted I was going to have. I didn’t let failure stop me instead, I embraced and kept going. You cannot be great at who you are or what you do without some setbacks. I like to tackle my issues I don’t like avoiding them or ignoring them you will never know how to adjust to life stresses that way. What I am most proud of is the fact that I’ve created a successful pathway for my nieces, nephews and future kids.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I strongly believe good luck has played a good role In my life and business I don’t think I would’ve Made it this far if I had bad luck.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: domonique.walker.353
