UPT IME
Getting in the driver’s seat
If you talk the talk, you’d better know how to walk the walk.
As a professional journalist, over the years
I have refi ned my approach and developed
skills to report on specifi c industries. As
someone who has a writing and publishing
background, my job has always been to gain
an understanding of the industry I serve and
share that information with readers.
First, some background
Since I started my publishing career with this
same company back in 2007 — the name has
changed a few times, but the offi ce has not
— I have always reported on the transportation
market. I began with a stint reporting on
recreational vehicles (just in time for the ‘08
recession to hit). From there, I moved on to the
automotive tool and equipment distribution
world. I rose through the editorial ranks and
branched into the commercial vehicle market
in 2010 when I became managing editor of not
just PTEN and Professional Distributor, but also
Fleet Maintenance.
I took a break from Fleet Maintenance
when I became the lead editor for PTEN and
Professional Distributor in 2014. It wasn’t until
developing content for a specifi c magazine
that I understood the importance of taking a
deep dive into an industry. Time and experience
taught me to more thoroughly vet industry
sources and how to parse out the necessary
information readers need in order to make
sound decisions for their own business.
When I stepped into the lead editorial role
for Fleet Maintenance last year, this mindset
of developing a thorough understanding of
an industry did not change.
As a general rule, journalistic processes
encourage you to utilize your resources to
gain a full understanding of the subject on
which you’re reporting. But resources can
only get you so far. You also need to have
background knowledge to provide a comprehensive
understanding of the subject. Th is
can be through passive research, attending
industry events and by sheer volume and
time spent reporting on the market. But,
there is something to be said about gaining
fi rst-hand knowledge and experience on a
subject through professional training.
With that, as I begin my second year as
the lead editor for Fleet Maintenance, I’m
establishing my commitment to the industry
with continued education.
Continued education
So, how do I plan to further my education,
to ensure I have a thorough understanding
of our industry? Th e fi rst step toward this
commitment is to gain a fundamental understanding
8 Fleet Maintenance | October 2018
of the vehicle, and the requirements
of someone operating that vehicle. Th at starts
with the truck itself.
With that, I am very excited to share
with you that I am registered to attend the
Waukesha County Technical College’s professional
truck driving program. Th is 12-credit
technical diploma program will provide
intensive classroom, on-range and on-road
training through a 10-week course at a local
technical college.
Not only will I gain certifi cation to legally
inspect and drive a commercial vehicle over
26,000 pounds, I will get a fi rst-hand look
inside the educational structure for new
recruits coming into our industry.
The course itself is designed to provide
a comprehensive understanding of how a
truck operates, the details on the functionality
and operation of different systems of
the truck, requirements and process for
conducting pre- and post-trip inspections,
an overview of the hours of service requirements,
trip planning and hands-on learning
for how to operate a Class 8 tractor-trailer.
At the end of the course, I will have the
opportunity to complete (and presumably,
pass) the skills tests for vehicle inspection,
basic control skills and on-road driving test
to receive a state-issued Class A Commercial
Driver’s License.
My goal is to gain a more thorough understanding
of the commercial vehicles you
and your techs see in the shop on a regular
basis. I want to know and understand
this process first-hand, for perspective on
the requirements of this segment of the
industry. After all, drivers are the first line
of defense when it comes to maintenance
and service.
Trade publication editors are typically
cut from two diff erent cloths: a professional
writing and publishing background, with
an understanding of how to learn about an
industry; or as members of a trade profession
who learn how to write about it. Having
an editor with both writing and industry
experience is the best of both worlds. You
always start with one, and learn from there.
(Unabashedly biased) I personally believe
having the publishing background is critical
to establish a content-driven career in
trade publishing. But to truly advance and
excel in that world, it is critical to further
education to establish and maintain industry
credibility.
By Erica
Schueller
Editor-in-chief
» Back to school: Fleet Maintenance‘s editorin
chief gains first-hand industry knowledge
by working towards her Class A CDL.
Photos courtesy of E.Schueller
» The Waukesha County Technical
College professional truck driving
program started Friday, September 28.
Photos courtesy of E.Schueller
More Online
Want to keep up with my progress during this 10-week training course? Follow
me on Twitter and Instagram. Plus, I will also provide regular updates online at
VehicleServicePros.com/blogs/in-the-drivers-seat
@FM_Editor
/in-the-drivers-seat