Individuals who want a general academic program and who may not be sure what they want to do usually choose a four-year college or university. Such a program lays the foundation for more advanced studies and professional work. Four-year colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees (the B.A. and B.S.) in most areas in the arts and sciences, such as English literature, foreign languages, history, economics, political science, biology, zoology, chemistry, and in many other fields.

Many jobs in the transportation industry require only a high school education, although an increasing number of workers have at least some college education. Increased emphasis on formal education stems from increased complexity in the industry. Nearly all operations involve computers and information management systems.

A growing number of employers in warehousing and logistics recommend some form of formal training either in-house or through trade or union programs. Most intercity bus companies and local-transit systems give driver trainees 2 to 8 weeks of classroom and "behind-the-wheel" instruction. Railroads require that applicants have a minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent.

For managerial jobs in the transportation industry, employers prefer persons with bachelor's degrees in business, marketing, accounting, industrial relations, or economics. Although most managers must learn logistics through extensive training on the job, several universities offer graduate and undergraduate programs in logistics.

What Do You Want to Do Next?

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Whatever you decide, you are in the driver's seat!