A columnist from the Sun Sentinel, Michael Mayo, met an interesting man when writing a story in 2009. That man was Duane Harris.
In 2009 he was a 4.0 student at Keiser University in Fort Lauderdale as a 49-year-old computer programming student. At that time he was living out of his 1995 Ford Thunderbird while attending school. That didn’t deter him from success.
“No mannter how bad you think you have it, no matter how tough the economy is, there’s no reason to ever give up,” Harris told Mayo.
After graduating college Harris struggled finding a job in the computer industry as no one was looking to hire a 50-year-old new college graduate.
He got a job as a gas station attendant and got to know the trucking company owners. They helped Harris get a grant to pay his $5,000 trucking school tuition.
He’s been on the road ever since making deliveries to Lowe’s stores for a trucking company out of Eustis, FL.
His been driving for a year which has allowed him bring in a steady paycheck. Every few months he is able to head to Boca Raton to visit his two daughter and even took them on a small vacation a few weeks ago.
Harris is as positive as ever with his new career. He’s traded in his Ford Thunderbird for an 18-wheeler.
“It’s like a mansion compared to what I am used to. I’ve got a double-wide bunk bed, a microwave oven, a refrigerator,” Harris said. “After all I’ve been through, I’ve learned to see the bright side of things. My motto is, ‘No Excuses.'”
I think Harris story shows that life can have as many turns and bumps as the road you drive on, but staying positive can help push you in the right direction.
Everyone’s story is a little different. We’d love to hear yours. What brought you to the trucking industry?
Source