Samantha McDonough’s story is a perfect example of how it is never too late to completely change your path. Samantha spent years navigating the high pressure world of healthcare administration and project management, but eventually, she realized that the office life just was not doing it for her anymore. Between the endless computer screens and the stress of managing physician schedules, she knew she needed something different.
She was looking for more independence and a way to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Northern Michigan where she lives, so she made the bold move to trade her desk for a driver's seat.
Her journey from planning hospital events to mastering a manual transmission shows exactly how much grit it takes to start over in a brand new industry. Today, Samantha is out there navigating regional routes across the Midwest. She is proof that if you have the right training and a little bit of perseverance, you can find a career that actually fits your lifestyle and your goals.
Samantha sat down with us to talk about her transition, the hurdles she cleared during training, and how Tri-Area Trucking School helped her turn this major life change into her new reality.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what you were doing before you decided to enter the trucking industry? I grew up in a town called Allen Park, Michigan, which is a suburb right outside of Detroit. I went to high school there and eventually went to college at U of M Dearborn. My background is actually in communications and public relations, and for a long time, my career was rooted deeply in the healthcare field. I did a little bit of everything. I started with a special events internship for a hospital, which really directed me toward healthcare. From there, I did staffing, event planning, and health screening events. Eventually, I moved into a role as a project engineer for a construction company that specifically did work in hospitals. Later, I served as a project director at a children’s hospital for a while. Most recently, I was working as a clinician scheduler for a company that handled emergency rooms all over the country. It was a remote position, which was great because it allowed me to move up to Northern Michigan. I live on the water now, surrounded by woods and farmland. It is a totally different atmosphere from where I grew up. It is very country up there, which is what I wanted, but the job itself was still very stressful. I was dealing with complex doctor schedules and money and physicians all day long. I realized I was just burnt out from sitting in front of a computer and being in constant communication with people. I knew I needed a massive industry change..
What specifically drew you toward trucking as a career change? When I decided to leave my remote job, I started looking online for different things I could do that would not take a bunch of extra schooling but would still allow me to make a decent amount of money. I was making a comfortable amount at the time, and I really did not want to take a huge pay decrease just to do something different. I started looking into the different trades and trucking really stood out to me for a few reasons. On a personal level, I have always loved to drive. On a stressful day, I will get in my pickup truck and just go for a drive to clear my head. I am also someone who is very comfortable being alone. I live on my own and I have a puppy who is my main motivation for everything. In my previous jobs, I was in constant communication with clients or physicians every single day, and I was just exhausted by it. Trucking offered the independence I was looking for. Plus, the demand for drivers is so high right now that it felt like a very secure move for my future.
How did your friends and family react to this decision? Honestly, this decision really surprised pretty much everyone in my life. I think a lot of people in this industry have at least one person in their family who does trucking, and that is usually how they get introduced to it. In my case, I had absolutely no connection to it at all. It was not something I grew up around. I just stumbled upon it on my own through research and decided it was the right move for me. It was a completely independent choice to just go for it, and while it surprised people, I knew it was the right path for my own happiness.
How was your experience at Tri-Area Trucking School, especially as someone coming in with zero experience? I chose Tri-Area Trucking School because they were independent. I did not want to be committed to a specific company and go through their private school. I wanted the freedom to choose my own path. I went to the Freeland campus, and I will be honest with you: I was brand new to all of this. I had never shifted a manual vehicle in my life, and I had never backed up a trailer. I was starting from absolute zero. I remember the very first day my instructor, Jim, put me in the truck to drive on the road. We had not even practiced in the yard yet. I was so freaked out that I think I drove maybe two miles in twenty minutes. I was ready to quit right then and there. I thought to myself, "There is no way I can do this." But Jim was so encouraging and comforting. He told me to go home, let my brain form those new neural connections, and come back the next day. He was right. When I woke up the next morning and got back in the truck, it was already so much easier. The school was also great about giving me the extra time I needed. They actually gave me two additional weeks in the yard just so I could be more prepared and comfortable for my CDL test.
What were the biggest challenges you faced during your training? Shifting gears and backing the trailer were the two biggest mountains I had to climb. Because I had never driven a manual before, getting the rhythm of the gears down was a huge hurdle at the start. However, backing was probably the most difficult part for me personally. Even though I struggled, my instructors were incredibly patient with me. I actually failed my first CDL test on the 90 degree alley dock turn. It was a tough moment, but the school called me immediately and asked if I wanted to come back in for another day of practice. I took them up on it, went back in to sharpen my skills, and I passed the test the very next time. That "aha" moment when the backing finally clicked was huge. It was not just about getting it right once; it was the feeling of finally understanding the physics of it and getting it right several times in a row. My instructor was just as excited as I was because he knew how much work I had put into it.
Did you have any specific study techniques that helped you handle the classroom portion? You definitely have to be prepared to pay attention in class. There is a lot of bookwork at the beginning, and it can be hard to listen to people read out of a handbook all day for two weeks, but you have to stay focused. For the pre-trip inspection, you have to memorize a lot of information and say it almost verbatim so you do not fail. I came up with a technique where I would record myself on voice memos on my phone. I would go through the whole inspection out loud, then play it back to myself to see where I tripped up or what I forgot. I did that over and over again until I got it perfect. It is a great way to test yourself. Also, Stan recommended the Crisp CDL quizzes. I did all of those, and I noticed that a lot of those questions were almost exactly the same as the ones on the actual state test. Putting in that extra effort at home is not just a recommendation; it is a requirement if you want to succeed.
You are currently in training with a carrier now. How has that transition been? I am currently with Western Express. Orientation and the initial training can be a little bit rough, and everyone warned me that the first six months to a year in this industry would be a challenge. But I chose this company because they offered a dedicated regional route in my area. I am driving through Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and parts of Illinois. It is the perfect middle ground for me. I am out on the road living the trucking life and staying at truck stops, but the big perk is that I get to come home every single week. That was a huge dealbreaker for me because I need to get my Lab puppy back with me. She is currently staying with my mom while I finish these last few weeks of training. In about a week, I will get my own truck, and then she can finally join me as my co-pilot.
Looking back, what are you most proud of accomplishing? I am honestly so proud of the fact that I passed my state CDL test. If you told me a year ago that I would be driving a 53 foot semi truck, I probably would not have believed you. For thirty years of my life, my personal experience was not even close to being in that wheelhouse. Seeing the words "Commercial Driver License" on my actual license is such a huge accomplishment for me. Even now that I am out on the road, I am still learning. Every other day I see something new, like a different traffic pattern or an oversized load taking up two lanes. It keeps me on my toes. I am proud that I stepped out of my comfort zone and mastered something that used to intimidate me.
What advice would you give to someone else who is considering a career in trucking? If you have any interest in it at all but you are feeling scared, just try it. Do not let yourself be your own worst enemy. The people at Tri-Area are genuinely committed to helping you succeed, but you have to be willing to put in the work. You should also be prepared for the lifestyle change. You will likely be away from home and your family for stretches of time, especially when you are starting out. But the boost in confidence you get when you finally nail a difficult maneuver or pass your test is incredible. Having the regret of never trying something is much worse than trying and finding out it is a challenge. If I can go from healthcare project management to driving a semi truck, you can do it too.
