Wherever you are in the United States, you’ve seen the trademark UPS truck appear, delivering packages reliably every day of the year. The only exceptions are New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, but even then, urgent packages arrive via UPS Express Critical.
The company’s reputation hinges on satisfied employees showing up each day and doing their job well. So it’s not surprising that UPS has become one of the best places to work.
But a career with UPS doesn’t have to include driving a truck. Whether you have a college degree or not, here are five of the greatest career opportunities at this reliable company.
1. Independent Contractor
Work for UPS on demand and at your preferred schedule as an independent contractor. This job includes the same responsibilities as a salaried driver but with better benefits.
As an independent contractor, you can set your schedule within limits. You’ll still have to deliver the assigned packages, but if you need to take time off throughout the week or work fewer hours, that’s within your control.
You’ll also get paid a high hourly rate, and since you drive your vehicle, you’ll receive mileage reimbursement, too.
However, be aware that you may not receive weekly hours if UPS doesn’t need your help. You’ll have irregular paychecks, and you don’t receive benefits. You’ll need to pay taxes out of your pocket, too.
2. Package Handlers
Maybe driving all day isn’t your thing, and you’d rather handle the behind-the-scenes work of package delivery. If so, consider applying for the job of a package handler.
These individuals are warehouse workers who sort packages as they arrive. They group them by destination and load them into the vehicle scheduled to handle that particular route.
The downside of package handlers is that you do need to be able to lift heavy boxes occasionally. It’s up to you to keep those packages safe and secure until they reach the vehicle delivering them to their final stop.
3. Automotive Technician
Do you have the skills necessary to work on heavy trucks and machinery? If so, UPS needs you as an automotive technician.
Each warehouse uses hundreds of vehicles daily, from forklifts to delivery trucks. When something breaks down, it’s more efficient and cheaper to fix it in-house.
Your role includes dealing with propane, ethanol, and diesel vehicles on old and obsolete machinery as well as state-of-the-art equipment. You may even have to fix machines that run on batteries.
4. Senior Applications Developer
Looking for a job with leadership potential and excellent pay? If you have the experience and credentials, a Senior Applications Developer role could be in your future.
In this position, you offer the application development team knowledge and support. Your skills are vital to the company’s rollout of future projects.
You’ll perform analyses, tech requirements, design, coding, testing, and other software and data architecture design aspects. Your input is necessary to determine which emerging technologies should be part of the company’s future and how to effectively achieve those goals.
For this role, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or an otherwise related field, as well as a minimum of four years of experience in integration, design, and implementation.
5. Hub Supervisor
A Hub Supervisor is a potential opportunity when you need something part-time or with less physical demand. This is often seen as an entry job to bigger and better roles at UPS, but it stands alone as a good career for the right person.
In this job, you’ll supervise less than ten part-time Package Handlers. Your responsibilities include training and developing their skills, plus holding them responsible for all safety practices and production deadlines.
Your leadership skills are directly linked to your group’s attendance, motivation, and productivity, so it’s important to have strong communication abilities and foster a culture of cooperation and safety among your team.
If you’re hired for the part-time role, you’ll work 5.5 hours a day, Monday through Friday. This job includes health benefits for you and your dependents, and if you do your job well, you may get offered assistance with furthering your education.
Part-time supervisors are also entitled to paid time off, holiday pay, 401(k), and discounts on the job. Most companies don’t offer benefits to part-timers, so this is a worthwhile career choice for those with the leadership skills and knowledge to do the job but don’t want a full-time workload.
Conclusion
Full- and part-time workers at UPS have some of the best career opportunities offered anywhere in the country. High pay, reliable work, and benefits are part of the package, and most of the positions don’t require an education to get hired.
Whether your goal is to be an independent contractor, a full-time employee, or something in-between, there’s a position available for you at UPS.
