Sage Denver Student Strives to Build a New Career for the Long Haul

For more than 20 years, Otton Murillo earned his living the hard way — through construction jobs. Specifically, he worked in concrete, which required long days and demanded a lot from his body.

The work paid the bills, but it also began to take its toll.

“It’s a lot of physical work,” Otton said. “I wanted to get into something where I could go out, make my check, come back home, and hopefully not be as tired.”

This desire for physical and financial sustainability eventually led him toward a career path he had been quietly considering for a few years: truck driving.

Now a student at Sage Truck Driving Schools in Denver, Otton is working toward his commercial driver’s license (CDL) and was recently awarded a $1,000 Howes Truckers of Tomorrow Scholarship. The award, he says, validates his career change while providing a welcome boost as he works toward his new career.

Key Advice from Local Truck Drivers

Otton’s decision to pursue trucking didn’t come out of nowhere. Several of his friends already work as truck drivers, and over time, their experiences left an impression.

“They encouraged me to go get the license,” he said. “They’re doing good. And it seems like pretty easy work most of the time. Not all the time, but most.”

These friends also helped Otton envision himself on this new path by making the career transition feel less extreme. Many of them do local hauling work within the state, transporting materials like sand, rock, and dirt — jobs that overlap with construction projects familiar to Otton.

“Some of it’s construction-related,” he said. “Some is just moving materials. It’s basically whatever the job calls for.”

With residential construction slowing down, Otton said the timing felt right.

“I always kind of looked at trucking as an escape route,” he said. “It was always in the back of my mind. With work slowing down, it felt like the perfect time to finally do it.”

Early Training at Sage in Denver

Otton said he chose Sage due to convenience and support. The Denver campus is close to home, making it easier to balance home life with school. Just as important, he appreciated the financial options available that made the training possible.

“SAGE offers financial help, which is really, really helpful these days,” he said.

Just a few days into his training, Otton said he already felt confident he made the right decision.

“Everything’s going good,” he said. “We just started, and we’re already going over the trucks, learning the components and how everything works.”

This early exposure was important to Otton, who said he had limited experience around commercial trucks. He credits his instructor, Billy Richardson, for helping him gain clarity during the early part of his education.

“He knows his stuff and explains everything really well,” Otton said. “Everybody in the office has been good about answering questions, too. That makes a big difference.”

The Surprise Scholarship That Made a Big Difference

Otton learned about the Howes Truckers of Tomorrow Scholarship while browsing the SAGE website. Seeing the opportunity, he decided to apply — even though he wasn’t sure he had much of a chance.

“I didn’t know how many people applied,” he said. “So when they told me I got it, I was glad.”

The news came from campus director Tabitha Garcia, and the timing couldn’t have been better.

“It’s that time of year when money’s short,” Otton said. “It helped a lot. It was another bill I had, and this helped take care of it and keep the money at home. A thousand dollars is good help. I’m really thankful there are scholarships like that to help somebody making a big career change.”

“We are proud to recognize Otton 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 embody the very spirit of this program, and we look forward to seeing him succeed as part of the next generation of trucking professionals.”

Otton’s goals moving forward are straightforward. After earning his CDL, he’d like to start working for a company and build experience. Down the road, he hopes to operate his own truck and possibly take on opportunities that allow for more independence.

“If I get the chance to go on the road for some loads, I’d take it,” he said. “But mainly, I just want to establish steady work for myself and see how far I can take it.”

For others considering the trucking profession — and Sage specifically — Otton believes preparation and support are key.

“This is a big change,” he said. “Having people who explain things, answer questions, and help you along the way really matters.”