Michael Alvarez
A string of labor-intensive jobs drove Michael Alvarez to search out opportunity on the open road
The COVID pandemic forced Michael Alvarez to reevaluate his options, and he discovered the world of trucking and its importance to the American economy.
— by Larry Hall
During the past year, Michael Alvarez was in a position familiar to many people; he was searching for a change. That change took form with the help of the Metallica Scholars Initiative. Now, Alvarez is trucking the roadways for one of the largest food and beverage companies in North America, PepsiCo. His gratitude for the All Within My Hands Foundation is matched by our gratitude for his contribution to the supply chain.
Searching for answers in his late teenage years, Alvarez took to job hopping hoping to find something to satisfy his wish for a long-term career.
“After high school, I was completely undecided about what I wanted to do with my life,” Alvarez said. “I worked a series of jobs and what really interested me about truck driving was the opportunity” he added as be began seriously considering trucking a few years down the road.
“I was working at FedEx as a material handler, and that job was very labor intensive. I’ve been working labor-intensive jobs my entire life, so I really wanted a change,” Alvarez said. “This (truck driving) is very intensive too, but there are more opportunities” for someone who has a CDL (Commercial Truck Driver – Class A) license.
Leave it to a worldwide crisis to really bring into focus what he wanted to do as he looked into industries could not only survive worldwide tumult but thrive in it.
“Once the COVID 19 pandemic occurred, a whole world became available in the truck driving realm. My eyes really opened as soon as I learned there was a shortage in the industry,” Alvarez mused.
“I wanted to take it upon myself to learn a new skill. What really sold me on truck driving was the present demand. They’re looking for workers, and you become a good target for companies to hire. That’s why I went with the Valencia College CDL program,” Alvarez added.
Once he finally landed on a career he wanted to pursue, it was time to put his best foot on the gas and propel his life forward.
“One of my favorite parts of the class was learning how to back one of these trucks up. It was such a daunting task at first,” Alvarez said. I was incredibly frustrated because it was unlike a vehicle, but I managed to get the hang of it. It makes a lot of sense once you’re in a job and you’re in a bay full of a dozen trucks -- your main goal is to get that truck square and flush in that loading bay.”
Now, Alvarez found a purpose and was driven to excel in his new career. He is excited to break into the industry, but he already has plan for his future beyond entry level goals.
“I would love to be a supervisor and climb up the chain of command at Pepsi. I want to continue expanding my knowledge of CDL commercial operating, including acquiring additional endorsements such as hazardous materials, tankers, and double and triple trailers.”
At Valencia College, we work every day to create a level playing field for college students of all backgrounds, fashioning a college where every student can succeed. And our students continue to amaze and surprise us. Read more of their stories.