As we wind down 2024 and I reflect upon my first year in the trucking industry, I can safely say that I've learned quite a few valuable lessons through the stories and topics I've had the opportunity to cover.
Here are my five favorite stories from the year—pieces that challenged my understanding of the industry and, I hope, provided some value to the readers.
First impressions from a CV industry newcomer | Fleet Maintenance
As a newcomer last February, my goal was to be able to provide a fresh take and opinion from my position as what I perceived to be an 'outsider' to the industry, without stepping on the toes of those who had been here for years before me.
I've since learned that insight doesn't just come from experience. While that surely helps, sometimes curiosity is almost as valuable, especially in an industry like trucking where those with knowledge are eager to share it with just about anyone interested in listening to them.
These first couple of outings gave me more than just test drives to compare—They provided opportunities to speak with those who had a hand in creating the experience, some of the most passionate people in the industry—and this gave me perspective beyond the machines themselves.
Tools needed for transmission troubleshooting and repair | Fleet Maintenance
Speaking of going beyond the machines, this transmission troubleshooting feature helped me learn to navigate a different side of the industry. The maintenance industry at first glance may seem to be defined by parts, components, and tools. Technical stuff. But at its core, it's about people solving problems.
Standards and procedures don’t exactly make for extremely riveting content, but it is important information nonetheless. Seeking the human side behind the troubleshooting helped me to connect with not only my interviewees, but the topic itself.
How to train techs by example in the shop | Fleet Maintenance
I saw myself in these stories of new technicians trying to figure things out, and it made me grateful for my own learning experience. Instead of just handing the new guy the answer on a silver platter, give him a metaphorical toolbox to fix things himself.
Self-sufficiency is key, but it takes mentorship and a good example to get there.
Hurricane Helene: What to expect and how to help | Fleet Maintenance
The most challenging story I’ve worked on so far was covering the devastation left by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, just hours from my home in Charlotte. Seeing roads washed out and homes destroyed in person gave me perspective I hadn’t had before, and it was difficult to fully articulate in writing afterward.
Its impact will reverberate through the communities there, and the transportation industry in specific, for months and years to come.
Hope after Helene: Trucking community comes together in North Carolina | Fleet Maintenance
That is why ‘Hope after Helene’ felt like an important project to me—Not just because it brought some good news, a story of resilience in the wake of something terrible—But because it highlighted the tireless efforts of our industry in particular.
Seeing OEMs, drivers, and volunteers work together to deliver supplies was another reminder that trucking isn’t just about the logistics, it’s about community. Stepping up and keeping things moving, even when times are tough.
Looking Ahead
With 2025 right around the corner, my priorities are simple: keep learning, keep experiencing, and continue to tell stories of the people who keep this industry moving. If this past year is any indication, there’s plenty more ground to cover.
