9781422276679

Careers in Demand for High School Graduates

Transportation & Manufacturing

Careers in Demand for High School Graduates

Transportation & Manufacturing Daniel Lewis

Mason Crest 450 Parkway Drive, Suite D Broomall, PA 19008 www.masoncrest.com Copyright © 2019 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Series ISBN: 978-1-4222-4132-5 Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4222-4139-4 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file. Developed and Produced by Print Matters Productions, Inc. (www.printmattersinc.com) Cover and Interior Design by Lori S Malkin Design LLC QR Codes disclaimer: You may gain access to certain third-party content (“Third- Party Sites”) by scanning and using the QR Codes that appear in this publication (the “QR Codes”). We do not operate or control in any respect any information, products or services on such Third-Party Sites linked to by us via the QR Codes included in this publication, and we assume no responsibility for any materials you may access using the QR Codes. Your use of the QR Codes may be subject to terms, limitations, or restrictions set forth in the applicable terms of use or otherwise established by the owners of the Third-Party Sites. Our linking to such Third-Party Sites via the QR Codes does not imply an endorsement or sponsorship of such Third-Party Sites, or the information, products or services offered on or through the Third-Party Sites, nor does it imply an endorsement or sponsorship of this publication by the owners of such Third-Party Sites. MASON CREST

Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Armed Forces Computers, Communications & the Arts Construction & Trades Fitness, Personal Care Services & Education Health Care & Science Hospitality & Human Services Public Safety & Law Sales, Marketing & Finance Transportation &Manufacturing Careers in Demand for High School Graduates

Words to understand: These words with their easy-to-understand definitions will increase the reader’s understanding of the text while building vocabulary skills.

Sidebars: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. Examples include news cover- age, moments in history, speeches, iconic sports moments and much more!

Text-dependent Questions: These questions send the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there.

Research projects: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connected to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Series glossary of key terms: This back-of-the book glossary contains terminology used throughout this series. Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field.

contents

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 Airport Security, Baggage, or Maintenance Worker......... 11 Cargo and Freight Agent................................................................. 23 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector.............................. 35 Manufacturing Equipment Operator....................................... 49 Automotive Service Technician/Mechanic........................... 61 Truck Driver............................................................................................. 73 Bus Driver............................................................................................... 85 Taxi Driver or Chauffeur.................................................................. 97 Index ........................................................................................................................... 111 PHOTO Credits ............................................................................................................ 112 Chapter 1: Chapter 2: Chapter 3: Chapter 4: Chapter 5: Chapter 6: Chapter 7: Chapter 8:

F or millions of Americans, life after high school means stepping into the real world. Each year more than 1 million of the nation’s 3.1 million high school graduates go directly into the workforce. Clearly, college isn’t for every- one. Many people learn best by using their hands rather than by sitting in a classroom. Others find that the escalating cost of college puts it beyond reach, at least for the time being. During the 2016–2017 school year, for instance, tuition and fees at a “moderate” four-year, in-state public college averaged $24,610, not including housing costs, according to The College Board. The good news is that there’s a wide range of exciting, satisfying careers available without a four-year bachelor’s degree or even a two-year associate’s de- gree. Careers in Demand for High School Graduates highlights specific, in-demand careers in which individuals who have only a high school diploma or the general educational development (GED) credential can find work, with or without further training (outside of college). These jobs span the range from apprentice electronics technician to chef, teach- er’s assistant, Web page designer, sales associate, and lab technician. The additional training that some of these positions require may be completed either on the job, through a certificate program, or during an apprenticeship that combines entry-level work and class time. Happily, there’s plenty of growth in the number of jobs that don’t require a college diploma, though that growth is fastest for positions that call for additional technical training or a certificate of proficiency. So what career should a high school graduate consider? The range is so broad that Careers in Demand for High School Graduates includes 10 volumes, each based on related career fields from the Department of Labor’s career clusters. Within each volume approximately 10 careers are profiled, encouraging readers to focus on a wide selection of job possibilities, some of which readers may not even know exist. To enable readers to narrow their choices, each chapter offers a self-assessment quiz that helps answer the question, “Is this career for me?” What’s more, each job profile includes an insightful look at what the position involves, highlights of a typical day, insight into the work environment, and an interview with someone on the job. An essential part of the decision to enter a particular field includes how much additional training is needed. Careers in Demand features opportuni- ties that require no further academic study or training beyond high school

I n t r o d u c t i o n

as well as those that do. Readers in high school can start prepping for careers immediately through volunteer work, internships, academic classes, technical programs, or career acade- mies. (Currently, for instance, one in four students concentrates on a vocational or technical program.) For each profile, the best ways for high school students to prepare are featured in a “Start Preparing Now” section. For readers who are called to serve in the armed forces, this decision also provides an opportunity to step into a range of careers. Every branch of the armed forces, from the army to the coast guard, offers training in areas including administrative, construction, electron- ics, health care, and protective services. One volume of Careers in Demand for High School Graduates is devoted to careers that can be reached with military training. These range from personnel specialist to aircraft mechanic. Beyond military options, other entry-level careers provide job seekers with an opportu- nity to test-drive a career without a huge commitment. Compare the ease of switching from being a bank teller to a sales representative, for instance, with that of investing three years and tens of thousands of dollars into a law school education, only to discover a dislike for the pro- fession. This series offers not only a look at related careers but also ways to advance in the field. Another section, “Finding a Job,” provides job-hunting tips specific to each career. This includes, for instance, advice for teacher assistants to develop a portfolio of their work. As it turns out, employers of entry-level workers aren’t looking for degrees and academic achievements. They want employability skills: a sense of responsibility, a willingness to learn, discipline, flexibility, and above all, enthusiasm. Luckily, with 100 jobs profiled in Careers in Demand for High School Graduates, finding the perfect one to get enthusiastic about is easier than ever. Ways to Go in Transportation and Manufacturing The transportation field includes everything from highway construction to passenger car rental, from ship building to bus driving. The transportation sector is projected to create more than 400,000 new jobs by 2022, according to a U.S. government report. Land, air, and sea vehicles need to be driven, built, and maintained, as do roads and rails. Besides offering a base of employment, the transportation field provides people with plenty of personal satisfac- tion. Some of these jobs are union jobs, with excellent benefits; others, such as revolutionary ridesharing services like Uber, offer few benefits but a lot of freedom and control over where and when you work. The manufacturing jobs also play important roles in the national economy. These job titles can be found in many categories of business, from environmental engineering to food

Introduction  •

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p  75 percent of the 665,000 bus drivers on the roads work as school bus drivers.

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science. The great pluses of these fields is that your supervisors recognize the need for continuing training that will help you expand your knowledge base. So you’re not likely to stagnate. If you like what you read about one job, you might also consider the related careers listed at the end of that chapter. There may be something there for you to study further. All lists are meant as a starting point for your personalized job search. One thing leads to another. Just be sure to consider the needed skill sets and abilities and the future prospects of each position. The more you know about any given job, the better you will be able to make a decision about your probability of success doing the work.

p  Heavy equipment operators are always in demand at large seaports and construction sites.

Introduction  •

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1

Airport Security, Baggage, or

MaintenanceWorker Join an active crew at a large or small airport. Help keep travelers and shipments safe in the air. Get your career off the ground.

words to understand municipal: relating to a city or town. perimeter: outer edge. warren: describes a building with a complicated layout of hallways and other spaces.

A irports are like little cities, complete with neighborhoods and roadways and people in motion 24 hours a day. Airports are also major employers. From the patrols that guard the fields and runways to the screeners who check travelers’ bags and luggage, jobs of all kinds abound at international and municipal airfields. With an increase in funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there has been a similar increase in security-related jobs. You can also find employment as a service provider, helping people with luggage and directing them to the right gate. Or you can work to maintain the grounds, from the parking lots to the hangars to the runways.

t  An airport security officer stands guard, keeping an eye out for suspicious activity.

Is This Job Right for You? Would a career working at an airport be a good fit for you? To find out, read each of the following questions and answer “Yes” or “No.” Yes N 1. Do you like to be around plenty of activity? Yes No 2. Are you responsible and dependable? Yes No 3. Do you have a good, clean record? Yes No 4. Can you stay alert on your feet? Yes No 5. Can you work well as part of a team? Yes No 6. Can you take direction well? Yes No 7. Would you enjoy an aviation-related career? Yes No 8. Would you be able to handle working “on call?” Yes No 9. Are you a problem solver who can foresee outcomes? Yes No 10. Are you comfortable dealing with the public? If you answered “Yes” to most of these questions, you might consider working in an airport. They are looking for good people! What’s the Work Like? Security officers, also called access controllers, are needed to guard airfields and runways. Some are stationed near gates, while others patrol the grounds in vehicles. Yet others are in charge of guarding the perimeter of the area. Some carry weapons; others do not. You also find security per- sonnel throughout the terminals. Screeners go through luggage and check passengers. They are trained to use X-ray equipment to detect weapons and other ille- gal items in carry-on baggage. As a screener, you do not have the power to arrest anyone, but you know to bring in airport police TALKING money There are a wide variety of jobs at airports, with a wide variety of pay scales. For example, transportation security screeners earned an average of $40,160 per year in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Aircraft cargo handlers (a job category that includes both passenger baggage and other types of cargo) earned an average of $47,360.

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when necessary. It is your job to stay alert and communicate any problems related to pas- senger safety. Many other workers are needed in airport maintenance. The physical plant of an airport needs to be in top operating order day and night, and crews are at work nonstop to provide that safe and accessible environment for the nation’s airline passengers and the myriad of businesses that utilize airports. Lighting must be in working order. Electrical services must be maintained. The grass needs cutting. The shrubs must be managed. Snow and ice have to be removed from planes and runways. At any given time, you’re likely to see someone painting walls or fixtures as you walk through a terminal. You’ll find people repairing walls and seating and every other functional or decorative item. There are almost 20,000 airports across the country, and they all need staff. That said, only a fraction of airports concentrate on serving regular passenger airliners. The majority of airports serve individual pilots and their aircraft and are located throughout the country. p  An airport screener searches a passenger’s carryon bag. Airport Security, Baggage, or Maintenance Worker  • 13

p  During the winter season, airport maintenance crews will deice planes. A buildup of ice on the plane’s wings and stabilizers could endanger lives.

Who’s Hiring? • Aviation companies • Department of Homeland Security • Flight schools • Hospitals or other heliports • International or municipal airports • Private airports and companies • Security contractors • U.S. military

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Where Are the Jobs? As a member of airport security, you will work outside or inside, depending on the responsibilities of your job. Guards are posted in stations along roadsides. They may also roam the grounds by foot or in vehicles. You might work in a com- bination of environments through- out your career or even throughout the week. As a screener, you’ll spend your time indoors, within the terminals. Every airport is a warren of hallways and rooms between and surrounding cavernous spaces, where crowds roam between check-in desks and gates. You’ll have a regular station at the point where paying passengers enter the gate area. As a member of the airport maintenance crew, you could be working just about any- where. You might maintain the runways. You might spend the majority of your time in the hangars. Or you might be part of the crew that cares for the other buildings, from the termi- nals to the towers. You might be employed by a major messenger and package service and be surrounded by workers who are all employed by that same company. You might report to a large interna- tional airport. Or you might be in a smaller, municipal airport that mainly serves pilots who fly for pleasure, along with the pilots who work for local companies. This work takes many forms. A Typical Day Here are the highlights of a typical day for a screener. Control crowd. The airport is busy all day long, but there are waves of crowds that are especially large. The crew keeps an eye out for lines that are backing up and opens more chutes as needed. Help educate passengers. An older woman has a bag of cosmetics, and a number of items are fluids not allowed on the plane. You explain, patiently and firmly, that the rules are the same for everyone, and you remove the items. A few kind words from you help ease her discomfort about the loss. TALKING TRENDS Passenger travel dips with the economy, but overall, air traffic is expected to increase between now and 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statis- tics. There are a number of factors involved, including increases in disposable income and expanding international cargo traffic and low-fare air carriers. Airport Security, Baggage, or Maintenance Worker  • 15