35 www.ortrucking.org Issue 2 | 2024 “As a woman in trucking, I feel like I bring a different perspective in a male dominated field,” said Katie. “But I want women interested in trucking to know that time in the driver’s seat is not a prerequisite. You can be an asset to a trucking company without driving a truck or having tied down a load. What’s most important is your attitude and willingness to learn.” Katie Cox – RAM Trucking Like many women working in trucking today, Katie Cox was born into the industry. Her dad had spent 40 years in the industry and her grandpa 40 years before him. Katie spent her summers in high school and college working in the shop and answering phones. She explored a few other industries before coming back to RAM Trucking where she primarily works in operations, but also wears a lot of other hats as those involved in small business often do. “As a woman in trucking, I feel like I bring a different perspective in a male dominated field,” said Katie. “But I want women interested in trucking to know that time in the driver’s seat is not a prerequisite. You can be an asset to a trucking company without driving a truck or having tied down a load. What’s most important is your attitude and willingness to learn.” As anyone who has worked in dispatch or helped run a small business knows, her days are often spent coordinating a lot of moving pieces like “a really complicated ballet” as she compares it. She attributes her ability to coordinate all the moving pieces to her willingness to learn. The learning curve was steep when I entered the industry, but I think what helped me and made me feel comfortable was asking all the questions. Making sure you approach every situation with humility; whether that be with your colleagues in the office, with administrative staff, or with drivers, and being open and willing to listen will go a long way,” said Katie. Katie says her advice applies to both men and women, but it’s even more important for women who may not have started their career in a truck. “It can be intimidating to come into an industry that’s male dominated, but you must be willing to learn and ask, ‘What do you need from me?’”
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