OTC Alumni: Whalen’s Story (Commercial Vehicle Driving)

When I first got out of high school in 2017, I didn’t know which direction I wanted to take for my career. I decided to enroll at Valencia College for 2 years to get my Associate in Arts degree in General Studies. Once I graduated from Valencia in 2019, I heard from a family friend about OTC’s welding program, and in 2020, I decided to enroll.

My experience at Orange Technical College has been exceptional. During my time in the welding program, I learned a lot of different processes for welding and afterward got a decent job welding, but once the work ran out, I decided it was time to finish getting my Commercial Driver’s License.

I enrolled in the earliest available CDL classes, and now I am almost done with the course and have to log 1,000 miles over the road before I can start the next leg of my journey. I have learned a great deal of information from the instructors on how to operate a commercial vehicle as well as tricks to the trade itself. The experience was worth it, and if you are looking for a stellar program, don’t hesitate to sign up for one of their 8-week classes.

My plans after I complete the course are to sign on with either Sunbelt or Knight Transportation as a driver, maybe even later down the road as an owner-operator. I look forward to getting out on the road using the skills I learned at the Orange Technical College – South Campus, to be the best truck driver I can be.