From Motorcycles to Big Rigs: How Sage Student is Building a Future on the Road

For the past four years, Stevyn Austin has made his living fixing motorcycles, a profession that runs deep in his family. His brother is a head mechanic, and his stepdad has worked with engines his entire life.

But while turning wrenches felt familiar, Stevyn started thinking bigger.

“I know I can make more money for my family,” he said. “And I’ve always been into trucks and driving, so I was like, might as well just try doing it.”

Now a student at Sage Truck Driving Schools in Caldwell, Idaho, Stevyn is putting his mechanical know-how to work in a new way. He was also recently named one of the latest recipients of the Howes Truckers of Tomorrow Scholarship, a $1,000 award given by Howes Products to support new drivers launch their trucking careers.

Finding the Right Career Route

When Stevyn decided to pursue truck driving, one of his biggest concerns was cost. With a young family and a tight budget, he knew he needed a school that offered both quality training and financial accessibility.

“There was another school I looked at, but it was a lot more expensive,” he said. “Sage was the cheaper option, and my wife and I aren’t really built of money. It made sense.”

That practical decision set him on a new course that balanced ambition with financial reality. And when he learned about the Howes Truckers of Tomorrow Scholarship, things became even more manageable.

The scholarship, designed by Howes Products to support students entering the trucking industry, helped reduce the financial pressure of training and gave Stevyn the breathing room he needed to focus on learning.

“I’m just extremely grateful,” he said. “It’s a huge blessing for our family. It’s honestly a weight off our backs to get that help.”

“We are proud to recognize Stevyn as a recipient of the Howes Truckers of Tomorrow Scholarship,” said Rob Howes II, President of Howes Products. “His excitement and commitment to pursuing a career in trucking embodies the very spirit of this program and we look forward to seeing him succeed as part of the next generation of trucking professionals.”

Stevyn said his time at Sage has exceeded his expectations. The instruction and support have made the transition from mechanic to aspiring truck driver both exciting and achievable.

“It’s gone great,” he said. “The class was easy to understand and very informative.”

His instructor, Tom Hostetter, has been especially helpful thanks to his expertise and approachable teaching style.

“Tom’s been awesome,” Stevyn said. “He’s been doing this for 40 or 50 years and he’s easy to talk to and easy to listen to. Going through the class made me even more excited for what’s next.”

Looking Down the Road

Stevyn has just a few weeks left of online coursework and behind-the-wheel training before earning his commercial driver’s license. Once certified, he hopes to start with a local or regional route so he can stay close to home.

“Right now, I just want to be home while my kids are still little,” he said. “Later on, when they’re older, I could see going over-the-road.”

And while his mechanical background will come in handy, especially when it comes to maintenance and repairs, it’s the stability and earning potential of trucking that motivate Stevyn most.

“I just want to make a better living for my family,” he said.

With Sage’s affordable training, supportive instructors, and the added help of the Howes Truckers of Tomorrow Scholarship, that goal feels within reach.

For others thinking about taking the same leap, Stevyn has some straightforward advice.

“Pay attention because there’s a lot of information,” he said. “And study your butt off. The more you study, the easier it’ll be.”

For Stevyn Austin, every mile ahead puts him closer to a new start — one built on hard work, family, and the drive to keep moving forward.