From the Next Generation of Trucking to FedEx Freight
For many high school students, figuring out what comes after graduation can be overwhelming. But sometimes, one experience can change the direction of a student’s future.
For Carlos Lopez, a graduate of the Patterson High School Truck Driving Program in Patterson, California, that experience was a field trip to FedEx Freight.
Today, Carlos is a technician at FedEx Freight in Sacramento, California, and his journey demonstrates the impact that high school trucking programs and industry partnerships can have on young people’s careers.
A Field Trip That Inspired a Career
While attending Patterson High School, Carlos participated in a trucking program led by instructor Dave Dein, where students explored careers throughout the transportation industry.
Through industry presentations, site visits, and hands-on learning opportunities, students gained exposure to career pathways beyond the classroom.
One experience stood out for Carlos.
“During this program, we had a presentation and field trip with FedEx Freight,” Carlos said. “I was so impressed that it inspired me to pursue a career with the company.”
After graduating from high school, Carlos attended trade school to develop his mechanical skills. That training eventually led him to a technician position with the very company that had inspired him years earlier.
Coming Full Circle: From Student to Industry Professional
Recently, Carlos returned to Patterson High School to participate in the school’s logistics fair. But this time, he wasn’t attending as a student.
He was there as an industry professional, sharing his career journey and introducing current students to opportunities in trucking.
“It felt good being able to give back in some way,” Carlos said.
For Dave Dein, seeing a former student return to inspire others was especially meaningful.
“Seeing Carlos stand before a new class of students was an incredibly proud moment for me as his former instructor,” Dein shared. “It is a rare privilege to watch a graduate transform their passion into professional excellence.”
Carlos’s return represents something powerful: a student who once benefited from industry engagement is now helping inspire the next generation.
Why Industry Partnerships Matter
Carlos’s journey illustrates the importance of connecting high school students with trucking companies before they make decisions about their futures.
For Lindsey Trent, President and Co-Founder of Next Gen Trucking, these connections are central to the organization’s mission.
“These programs introduce high school students to the many opportunities available in our industry while helping build the next generation of our workforce,” Trent said. “I’m thrilled to see a Next Gen Trucking student now working at FedEx Freight. It’s a great example of what these programs can do.”
Grant Snyder, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist at FedEx Freight in Sacramento, also emphasized the value of programs like Next Gen Trucking in developing the industry’s future workforce.
For Dein, the impact extends beyond helping students secure their first jobs.
“These high school programs do more than teach the mechanics of safe vehicle operation or logistics coordination; they build a sustainable talent pipeline that bridges the critical workforce gap,” he explained.
By opening their doors to students, offering field trips, participating in career fairs, and connecting with local educators, trucking companies can help young people discover career opportunities they may never have considered.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Carlos’s story is a reminder that a single field trip, conversation, or introduction to an employer can make a lasting difference.
His journey from Patterson High School to trade school to FedEx Freight demonstrates how career exploration and technical education can help students build a path toward meaningful employment.
Now, Carlos hopes to encourage other young people who may be uncertain about their futures.
“I promise, it’s all worth it in the end,” he said.
At Next Gen Trucking, stories like Carlos’s reinforce why connecting schools, students, and industry partners matters. When young people can see the opportunities available in trucking, they can begin to imagine themselves building a career in the industry.
This blog was developed using a FedEx Freight employee spotlight and reflections from Dave Dein.