In 2012, Suud Olat arrived in the US from Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp. With perseverance and dedication, he earned his bachelor’s degree. However, Olat’s ultimate goal was to buy a house for his mother. That’s when he turned to trucking. For Olat, the American dream isn’t just about working hard – it’s about having the freedom to work towards your own dreams.
After spending two decades in the Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya, Olat arrived in America in June 2012. He was the first in his family to be resettled in Nashville, Tennessee, while his parents arrived in December 2016.
Starting out at a local warehouse job earning $9/hour, Olat eventually became a permanent resident, moved to Minnesota, and earned his American citizenship in 2018.
With a newfound sense of belonging, Olat pursued higher education and obtained a bachelor’s degree in international relations and political science from St. Cloud State University in 2019.
Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the protests following George Floyd’s murder, Olat ran for Minneapolis city council in 2020. Although he didn’t win, he gained invaluable experience and continued his advocacy work for non-profits like ONE Campaign that fight extreme poverty. Olat’s journey is one of determination and resilience in pursuit of the American dream.
It was around this time that he found himself thinking, ‘”You know what, Suud, mom and dad, they’re both almost 70 years old, and they’re here in Minnesota. You need to buy a house for your family.”
He says he got into trucking after his mother said to him, “You’ve been doing a lot of good work for the community, it’s time for you to work for yourself. When are we going to buy a house?”
Olat obtained his commercial driving license by attending trucking school in Salt Lake City, where the process was faster and more cost-effective compared to Minnesota. He paid around $5,000 for the entire course. After graduation, he secured a job at an independent trucking firm through his network of acquaintances in the industry. His ultimate goal was to purchase a home for his mother.
Olat feels that trucking can be a lucrative profession, allowing you to travel across the United States and see much of this country. Working as an independent contractor for a family-owned business, he earns an average of $1,000 per week before taxes, and has visited 48 states, which he finds delightful.
Although his job involves driving hundreds of miles per day, it provides him with a sense of accomplishment and independence. Olat is a college graduate but was having difficulty finding well-paying employment because he is a refugee. So, driving a truck has allowed him not only to have a good income but also the freedom to work as much as he wants
Olat acknowledges that some people he knows have encountered racism in America, from rural towns to urban cities. However, during his truck-driving profession, he has not been met with anything but respect in his travels. He’s discovered that while new drivers may find the job challenging and stressful, most folks in his industry appear friendly and accommodating, always ready to offer a helping hand.
Olat hauls just about anything and everything on the road except hazardous products, and his travels have taken him across various states, such as Washington to Dallas and Jersey City to Miami. Usually, he stays on the job for a month or two before returning home for ten days.
Olat feels that the hard work of truck driving is very American. America is a country of labor, and personal determination can lead people to success and fulfillment. Becoming a trucker allows individuals to achieve their dreams, whether it is purchasing a home or another vehicle. In his opinion, driving a truck offers unprecedented freedom that is difficult to achieve in any other location on the globe.
Source: Business Insider
