Houston Truck Driving Student Upgrades Delivery Career at Sage

Gregory Turner lost his job as a delivery driver, and like a lot of people who face a setback, he was wrestling with the question of longevity. So, he turned to a friend for advice.

“I need a job, but I don’t need just any job,” he told his friend, who he said is close like a brother. “I need to find something that I like and enjoy and that I can turn into a career.”

His friend was working in the trucking industry, and he thought a similar career could suit Gregory. In fact, it’s a direction Gregory once considered himself.

“He told me, ‘You already love traveling, you already like seeing new places, and you’ve always wanted to do trucking. So, go do it,’” Gregory said. “He said, ‘You’re already in a not-so-good spot. What’s the worst that can happen?’”

Gregory stepped up to the challenge, and today he’s close to graduating from Sage Truck Driving School in Houston. He was also recently awarded a $1,000 Howes Truckers of Tomorrow Scholarship, which he said only confirms that he found his long-term footing in the trucking industry.

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

Turning a Challenging Time into an Opportunity

Gregory says trucking wasn’t a random choice. The idea had been in the back of his mind for years.

The appeal wasn’t just about getting behind the wheel, though the thought of driving a big rig definitely appealed to him. Mostly, though, it was about creating a life that offered both adventure and stability.

“Trucking is one way to do that,” Gregory said. “I’m on the road, seeing new places, and I’m also gaining financially. It’s kind of a win-win all across the board.”

While researching training programs near Houston, Gregory came across Sage Truck Driving School. He said the location was convenient, but it was his first impression that ultimately sold him on the school.

“I got a good feeling when I walked in,” he said. “The way I was greeted, the people there, the vibe. I go with my first impressions, and I felt like this is where I’m supposed to be.”

That feeling has only grown stronger throughout the program.

“It’s going great,” Gregory said. “I’m more than halfway through and scheduled to graduate in just a couple of weeks.”

He credits much of his success to the support he’s received from instructors and staff throughout the school. Gregory specifically pointed to Instructors Brenda Taylor and Joe Berger, Houston School Director Byron Williams, and admissions team member Meghan Spillane, who helped him work through challenges involving documentation for his GED.

“She did everything she needed to do to make sure I had everything I needed to be successful in the program,” he said. “The whole team has been a great help. Everyone has been in my corner the whole time.”

Getting a Boost at the Right Time

Even after deciding that trucking was the right path, Gregory still faced a major obstacle: paying for school.

“When they told me what tuition was, the first thing I thought was, ‘Man, I don’t know how I’m going to pay that,'” he said.

Determined to find a solution, he began researching grants and scholarships for trucking students. That’s when he discovered the Howes Truckers of Tomorrow Scholarship. He’d never applied for a scholarship before, and he wasn’t even sure he qualified. But he felt that if he got it, it would only prove this career path was meant to be.

Still, when he received the news that he had been selected, the moment didn’t immediately feel real.

“I was shocked,” he said. “When they told me, it was one of those moments like when you can see someone’s mouth moving, but I wasn’t really processing what they were saying. I was just so thankful.”

Beyond helping financially, the scholarship strengthened his commitment to becoming a truck driver.

“It encouraged me even more to take trucking seriously and to go after every opportunity,” he said. “It just solidified to me that I chose the right direction.”

Following graduation, Gregory said he wants to quickly find a job and log some hours on the road. He wants to travel, gain experience, and eventually own his own truck and business.

But most importantly, he wants to create opportunities for his daughter.

“I’m not doing this solely for me,” he said. “I want my daughter to have the best life she possibly can. I feel like this is going to jump-start that.”

Looking back on the challenges that brought him here, Gregory says the scholarship gave him hope during a difficult time in his life. And it helped him learn a valuable lesson.

“Even though you don’t have everything figured out and you don’t know where your help is coming from, just never give up hope and never stop believing,” he said.