From High School to Highway: Phoenix Student Gets Jump on Career at Sage

At 18 years old, Aubrey Jenson already has a firm vision of where she sees herself over the next few years: behind the wheel of a big rig, driving down an open highway while most people are sound asleep in their beds.

“Driving at night is peaceful,” she said. “Less traffic, fewer cars… I just enjoy being up when no one else is.”

This vision led Aubrey to seek education and training at Sage Truck Driving Schools in Phoenix, where she’s already being recognized for her commitment to a career on the open road. She recently received a $1,000 Howes Truckers of Tomorrow Scholarship, an award that recognizes the next generation of drivers stepping into the industry with passion and purpose.

It is a significant achievement for someone who was finishing high school just a few months ago.

Finding Sage at the Right Place and Time

Aubrey grew up in northern Idaho near Coeur d’Alene, where she worked at a plant nursery after graduating high school last spring. It wasn’t a job she envisioned doing long-term, however, as she has always felt most at home in the driver’s seat.

“I’ve always liked driving,” she said. “It can be peaceful, and I think trucks are really cool. It’s cool to be your own boss.”

Her first exposure to the trucking world came from family friends who owned their own rig. They spoke highly of the freedom they felt when traveling and the genuine love they had for their jobs.

“Both of their sons drove, and they would tell me constantly how much they enjoyed it,” she said. “That really stuck with me.”

When she decided to pursue a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Sage felt like a natural choice based on recommendations from others in the field. “Everyone I talked to said Sage was the best school,” Aubrey said.

Originally, she had her sights on a bigger change and moved south to attend Northern Arizona University. But after deciding traditional college wasn’t the right fit, she discovered Sage also had a Phoenix campus, and her career plans suddenly snapped into focus.

Receiving Mentorship and Financial Support

Now several weeks into training, Aubrey has completed her classroom work, earned her permit, and is practicing backing skills on the driving range.

“It’s going really well,” she said. “I’m loving it, and I’m excited to get out on the road. I’m going to learn how to drive a manual truck soon, and I’m really excited for that.”

Along the way, she’s found strong support from staff and instructors. She credits Tammy and Nicole in the Phoenix office for helping her get set up, and instructor Andre Joyner for his clear, patient teaching style.

The biggest surprise of her Sage experience came when Phoenix School Director Lynn Jorgenson asked her to stay after class. He informed her she had been selected for the Howes Truckers of Tomorrow Scholarship—an award she hadn’t even realized she was being considered for.

“I had no idea,” she said. “It was a really awesome surprise, and I’m super grateful.”

The scholarship arrived at an ideal time. Aubrey moved to Arizona on her own, juggling a new job at a Scottsdale resort while attending classes. Even with savings from high school, managing expenses was becoming difficult.

“I was actually in a really rough spot with payments,” she said. “The money really meant a lot to me.”

“We are proud to recognize Aubrey as a recipient of the Howes Truckers of Tomorrow Scholarship,” said Rob Howes II, President of Howes Products. “Her excitement and commitment to pursuing a career in trucking embodies the very spirit of this program and we look forward to seeing (HIM/HER) succeed as part of the next generation of trucking professionals.”

A Bright Future on the Road

“Aubrey is the kind of student who reminds all of us why we do what we do,” Lynn Jorgenson said. “Her drive, maturity, and genuine passion for this industry are remarkable—especially for someone just beginning her adult life. She shows up prepared, asks thoughtful questions, and pushes herself to grow every day.”

Because she is 18, federal regulations limit Aubrey to intrastate routes (within Arizona) for now, but she is eager for the experience those early jobs will bring. Her long-term goal remains becoming a long-distance, nighttime interstate driver.

Her advice for future Sage students? “Study. Study like crazy,” she said. “Pay attention when instructors are talking because they know a lot more than you do. It’s going to be useful.”

Even though she’s one of the youngest students on the range, Aubrey sees her age as an advantage. “It kind of makes me feel like I’m getting ahead,” she said. “It’s fun to be around people with more experience. I learn a lot from them.”