Q & A with Truck Driving Grad Robin Grapa

The 35-year-old Phillips, Wisconsin, native is seeing the country while enjoying a great career with V&S Midwest Carriers.

What first brought you to Fox Valley Technical College?

A few years ago my husband, Adam, and I started talking about driving truck over the road as a team. He already had his CDL, and I decided to search training options on Google. Fox Valley Technical College came up in my search, and I remembered seeing its trucks at the Appleton campus while driving along Highway 41. The college is basically in my backyard, and the web search revealed that it is one of the top truck driving schools in the nation.

How did FVTC impact you?

I think about my experience in learning how to drive a semi-truck at Fox Valley Tech every day. Applying what still seems like a million details and hands-on knowledge all come together to focus on safety. There is a lot of responsibility that goes into this career, and Fox Valley Tech’s instructors do a great job of taking what feels overwhelming and making it all understandable.

What do you enjoy most about your career?

As a team driver I get to work and share experiences on the road with my husband every day. My office has windows and the scenery changes by the second. I always look forward to driving through the salt flats and the mountains, along with seeing prairies and foothills.

This career is also about hard work. At the end of a busy delivery day, I reflect on all that was accomplished, and that can include driving through busy traffic in a tight downtown area or a really tough backing situation.

What advice can you give others about selecting a college today?

Explore all of your options carefully and go with what is the best fit for not only a career, but your happiness as well. Don’t write off truck driving as part of your options! It’s a fun career and there are many jobs available with flexible routes. If you’re looking for something with quick job placement, I graduated from Fox Valley Tech on a Friday and started working the following Monday.

NOMINATE AN OUTSTANDING ALUMNI

Fox Valley Technical College is seeking nominations for its 2015 Outstanding Alumni Award. The annual award recognizes an FVTC alumnus who has demonstrated the value of technical education through career advancement, community service, personal and educational growth, career success, and support of the Wisconsin Technical College System.
The nomination deadline is noon (CST) on March 2, 2015.