One truck driver is working to remedy the trucking business’s labor scarcity — by inspiring more women to get behind the wheel.
From the cab of her 18-wheeler, which she’s named Sparkle, Clarissa Rankin dispenses recommendation on household life, gasoline prices and life on the highway.
The Charlotte, North Carolina, mom of two has amassed more than 1.5 million followers on TikTok, making her one of the common truckers on the platform.
She received into the sector as a matter of necessity, after a bachelor’s diploma in prison justice put her more than $50,000 in debt, Rankin instructed CBS Information’ Errol Barnett.
In her first yr trucking, after acquiring her Industrial Driver’s Licence (CDL), Rankin pulled in $50,000. She now makes properly over $150,000 from driving — not counting the social-media endorsements, which may add one other $12,000 each month.
“I love the road. And it’s a break away from life, cause the only thing you’ve got to worry about is driving the truck,” Rankin instructed Barnett.
Rankin’s husband, Joey Rankin, impressed her to take the leap into trucking. He now acts as her dispatcher, arranging her schedule so the household of 4 can spend as a lot time collectively as potential.
Rankin’s mission is to get more women into the business. Presently fewer than 1 in 10 truck drivers are feminine, in accordance to the Women in Trucking Association. Rankin herself was turned down for the primary six jobs she utilized to, she instructed Barnett. One would-be employer instructed her he would not rent her as a business driver — however would rent her as his assistant.
“A woman actually was the one who gave me my first CDL job,” she instructed Barnett.
Michelle Locke is among the many drivers who credit score Rankin’s inspirational movies for getting them into the business. Seeing a TikTok of Rankin counting greenback payments satisfied her to make the leap into trucking.
“If she can do it, I can do it,” Locke instructed Barnett.
“I can retire from this,” she mentioned.