As flexible and lucrative as rideshare and delivery driving can be, this kind of gig work has its downside.
For one, it’s very difficult to find driving jobs that provide benefits such as medical and disability insurance, sick pay, and paid vacation. For another, there’s really no way to advance in your career, and ultimately, to move up a few levels on the career ladder.
We understand why rideshare and delivery drivers might want to branch out and do something new, so we put together this article describing five jobs that allow drivers to pivot to a new career.
First, we’ll examine the characteristics drivers are likely to be looking for in terms of a different line of work. Then, we’ll offer some ideas for potential careers that would work well for drivers. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- What drivers should look for in a new job
- 5 life changing jobs for rideshare and delivery drivers
- How to get a new career started
What drivers should look for in a new job
Drivers aren’t always the most conventional people—which means the jobs drivers prefer might not be run-of-the-mill, either. Going straight from a dynamic and stimulating driving gig into a nine-to-five job that offers little more than repetitive tasks may not be too desirable.
Let’s look at some job characteristics that drivers have said are important:
- Stability. Without knowing where your next paycheck is coming from, and when you’ll get it, it’s hard to feel good about what you do. A good job for a driver will be one that offers a steady stream of work in a stable and in-demand industry.
- Flexibility. For many drivers, it’s important to continue working on their own schedules. Another job, or family responsibilities, might make it difficult to always work set hours.
- Career Path. The “dead-end job” aspect of driving is something most drivers would give up in a heartbeat. Getting a job that allows for growth builds confidence in your future, while helping prevent boredom and dissatisfaction with your work.
- Benefits. Many drivers, especially those who work full-time, would like a job with benefits like health insurance, disability insurance, sick pay, and paid vacation—which drivers and other gig workers don’t typically have.
Now that we’ve covered what job characteristics are most important to drivers, we’ll discuss some jobs that may just be what you’re looking for.
5 jobs that could change your life
1. Web development/Software Engineering
We know. This job title sounds like it might require a great deal of skill, determination, and training—and it does. But if you’re looking for the kind of job that will give you everything you’re searching for, this is it. This line of work is state-of-the-art, in high demand, stable, flexible, challenging, and comes with a great career path … as well as (usually) employee benefits.
As a driver, you have a huge advantage over others who might be looking into this kind of work. Your flexible schedule will give you the time you need for training, and allow you to continue to earn while you take classes and get your feet wet in the field.
And it just so happens there’s a school that’s looking for drivers like you: Kenzie Academy. Kenzie offers training in software engineering and UX design, two hot career fields that can change your life. If you live near Indianapolis, you can attend classes on campus; but no matter where you live, you can complete the program online.
As a software engineer you’ll do the coding: writing the computer instructions that make the websites and apps work. You can train at Kenzie Academy to be a software engineer, and be ready to go into the workplace after only 12 months. It’s a full-time program, but you’ll still have time to do a few rideshare or delivery runs to keep money coming in.
2. Transportation and logistics
Although the kind of driving you’re used to falls under this category, there are numerous other jobs that go way beyond ferrying passengers and fast food. For instance, you could be a bus driver or a truck driver, transport people with medical needs, or get involved in the logistics of the ever-growing package delivery industry.
A company like UPS or FedEx could offer a compelling career path. While you may start out sorting packages in a retail location, you could work your way up to managing regional distribution centers, and ultimately (if you wish) working in the corporate office. Even at the entry level, these companies offer stability and benefits, and there is often some schedule flexibility as well.
3. Customer service
Whether you realize it or not, as a driver you have skills that qualify you for a job in this field. You deal with customers all the time. You’ve learned a lot about how to handle people, even when they fall into the category of “unruly.”
As more companies encourage employees to work from home, there is a greater need for customer service representatives with real skills in handling other human beings. Healthcare is a huge field for customer service personnel, and large health networks, as well as massive pharmacy chains, need people to field calls and make them.
Customer service is also a key component in retail sales. And as more transactions are completed online, people will want to ask questions about items before they purchase them, and get help with handling their complaints or returns.
The financial services industry also has many openings for customer service representatives who can answer questions about loans and bank balances, or direct them to the professionals who have the experience and training to do so.
These jobs typically offer full benefits, and some flexibility in terms of hours. In many cases, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, customer service jobs are work-from-home positions. There’s also room to grow on this career path.
4. Sales
Think about it. Even though persuading a passenger to ride with you or encouraging someone to make a delivery order is pretty much up to the apps and the companies that own them, many skills you have as a driver could be applied to a sales environment.
You’ve got people skills. You know how to be polite even when you don’t feel like it. You often offer advice about the best places to have fun around town, or describe to out-of-towners what winters are like in your area. You may also be a clever networking person. Your way with people just might open doors to new opportunities.
That’s largely what it takes to succeed in sales. And now, with the economy changing as much as it is, people who are good at sales are in high demand. People skills, like those you use in your job as a driver, go a long way in sales, and this kind of job has some other good qualities.
There’s lots of flexibility in sales. Often, you can make your own schedule, depending on the product or service you’re selling. There are sales jobs that allow you to work from home, making outgoing calls, as well as jobs that send you out and about on sales calls.
You can check on specific jobs in your area, but here are some listings from around the country that should help get your brainstorm brewing.
Expanding businesses in the current environment include alternative energy, healthcare products, sanitization and security services, and of course, vehicle sales.
Sales can be stable if you’re good at it and you land at a good company. You will get benefits in most situations, and you can work your way up through the company’s sales force. If the company doesn’t offer that opportunity, you always have the option of going somewhere else.
After all, it’s your people skills and self-driving initiative (pardon the pun) that employers are looking for. You can always be trained in the inner workings of different products and services, so going into sales opens a big, wide avenue of opportunity to you.
5. UX Design
Did we just hear you say, “WTF is that?” If you did, you’re not alone, because this field is so fresh and new. Many companies that need UX designers don’t even understand what they do—yet. But this field is becoming increasingly integral to many companies’ online operations.
First of all, UX design is short for “user experience design.” It refers to the process of designing products that are useful, easy to use, and enjoyable to interact with—and therefore, valuable to users.
By mastering UX design, you’ll be an expert in the ways people interact with an app, website, or software program. This is a terrific fit for you as a driver, because it requires those people skills you’ve had to cultivate to do your driving gig. To be good at UX design, you must understand what people want to do with a device or software, and make it easy for them to operate.
You also need to be creative, responsive, and able to find your way around a problem. Since these are attributes you’ve already cultivated in your driving job, now you can apply them to UX design, and create a whole new way of life.
Kenzie Academy has put together the perfect UX design training program to get you in on the ground floor, so you can move up from there. The program is part-time and just six months long, so it’s convenient to work while you study. And who knows? While you’re on the road, you might meet someone who’s looking to hire a UX designer. Even if you don’t, Kenzie has a comprehensive placement program that provides mentorship in preparing for the workplace. They’ll even connect you with jobs you’re going to love.
As for salary … let’s just say you’re going to like this particular career path. Kenzie graduates start their first jobs earning as much as $53,000 per year.
But even if you’re not seeking a job that ties you to a computer for 40 hours a week, these skills can help you bring in money as a part-time employee, consultant, or an entrepreneur. Hey, wouldn’t it be cool to sign your own paycheck? These things are possible with the training you’ll get from Kenzie Academy.
Get unstuck, even if you keep driving
If you’ve been feeling like you’re stuck in a rut as a driver, we hope this article has given you some inspiration that could free you from the grind. There are numerous opportunities out there, even as the world and the job market continue to change and grow in new directions.
You can’t go wrong with any of these jobs. But if you truly wish to advance into a new and exciting career that will still be viable after self-driving cars and drone deliveries make driving and delivering obsolete, we recommend you contact Kenzie Academy. Build a future as a software engineer or UX designer, and you’ll be flying high for a long time to come.
