How many left another career for UPS??

[mm92280]

I am am outside, a non-UPS'er but had actually been curious about UPS and have even given thought to leaving my current job if I could get a job with UPS.

So, how many of you folks had careers elsewhere but decided to go to UPS, particularly to work in a field that wasn't totally related to your previous line of work?
I am currently, in an IT position but have grown a little bored of the day-to-day life of sitting in a chair at a cubicle and maintaining systems and entering data. The negative part that I can think of with UPS is that I actually think I might prefer to be a driver but I know from reading that they don't really hire them off the street. It sounds like the best way to become one is to work part-time as a package handler for 3+ years and that would get your "clock" going at the company and potentially open the door for a driver position.

Obviously, I would have a tough time leaving a 50k a year job to be a part-time package handler just in the hope (again, hope, not a guarantee) that it would lead to a full-time driver position. Has anyone here gone this route before? Surely we have some people here that made career changes to go to UPS.

 

[dannyboy]

M&M, welcome to the BC.

I might suggest this, work part time at UPS and at your regular job as well. We have shifts (depending on where you are) that work around the clock. So you could work 9-5 at your regular job, then from 5:30-6 to 9 or so. We also had night time shifts that worked 10:30-3 or so.

Not saying it would be easy. But doable. And you would be able to keep the cash coming in for the transition time from part time to full time, as in some places it could take a bit longer. This path is a bit rough on personal time though.

Just sayin, cover all your bases.

Driving is not a bad position at UPS. There were days I regretted being a UPS driver. But there were a lot more where I truly enjoyed what I did.

Good luck.

d

 

[Anonymous 10]

This was never my career but I've always felt that I might have missed my calling. I think that later in life that I will regret not going to Las Vegas and trying to make it big singing Sinatra songs as like maybe an impersonator or something.

 

[superballs63]

I did, I worked for 6 years in the auto body repair field. I started at the bottom and was painting, but my boss wasn't very excited to pay me any more cash. Initially I was just doing UPS for the benefits and some extra dough, but 2 jobs wore me down so I left the body shop and went full time with UPS. I already earn more than I did from 2 jobs and for the most part I enjoy it more although there ARE some days when I wish I would have stayed with painting.

Maybe I'll go back to it when I retire

 

[island1fox]

I had spent my last year in College with much of my time in a NYC public school as a student teacher.
I graduated with my degree and teachers license and was scheduled to start as a school teacher the next September.
Instead I went from a P/T UPS job to a fulltime position with many different jobs both hourly and management for the next 36 years.
If I had life to live over I would not change very much --the career really worked out well with UPS.
I discovered that no matter what position I held --the teaching backround certainly helped !!
Good luck with the road ahead !!

 

[Richard Harrow]

Do yourself the favor and stay where you are at. I'd probably leave UPS tomorrow if I were offered $50k a year job elsewhere in a more relaxed, less strenuous enviroment. I can understand how your job might get boring, but atleast you have the internet, air conditioning, and (I'm assuming) an 8-and-skate day.

 

[DS]

Hi mm,glad you found the BC,you will get all kinds of advice here,both good and bad I think if you are in IT now and making 50k a year,you must be pretty good at what you do.Being a driver nowadays,it's next to impossible to achieve the metrics that IE guys sitting in cubicles looking at gps images and deciding how fast you should be able to do your job.
If you want to advance,there must be another level you can progress to in IT,
and lots of companies looking for a little imagination and talent in the field.
Being a ups driver is kinda like emptying a bathtub with a teaspoon every day,
but way harder on the extremities, including lack of recognition that is usually replaced with condemnation.
Keep us posted

 

[packageguy]

Welcome aboard, first try part time, see if you like if not then just stay with your job.

 

[Re-Raise]

It is just incredible the time it takes to go from part-time to full-time now. UPS is is very committed to getting by with fewer drivers on the street.

As drivers retire at my center they are not being replaced. We have part-timers with 15yrs in that still aren't driving. There may be more opportunities at larger centers but from what I have gathered on this site the wait is pretty long everywhere.

 

[UnconTROLLed]

I am am outside, a non-UPS'er but had actually been curious about UPS and have even given thought to leaving my current job if I could get a job with UPS.

So, how many of you folks had careers elsewhere but decided to go to UPS, particularly to work in a field that wasn't totally related to your previous line of work?
I am currently, in an IT position but have grown a little bored of the day-to-day life of sitting in a chair at a cubicle and maintaining systems and entering data. The negative part that I can think of with UPS is that I actually think I might prefer to be a driver but I know from reading that they don't really hire them off the street. It sounds like the best way to become one is to work part-time as a package handler for 3+ years and that would get your "clock" going at the company and potentially open the door for a driver position.

Obviously, I would have a tough time leaving a 50k a year job to be a part-time package handler just in the hope (again, hope, not a guarantee) that it would lead to a full-time driver position. Has anyone here gone this route before? Surely we have some people here that made career changes to go to UPS.

I have gone the same exact route you are describing, even by job title (laid off in 2002 from an IT job making 60k). I actually started working at UPS just before I was laid off.

 

[brownmonster]

It is just incredible the time it takes to go from part-time to full-time now. UPS is is very committed to getting by with fewer drivers on the street.

As drivers retire at my center they are not being replaced. We have part-timers with 15yrs in that still aren't driving. There may be more opportunities at larger centers but from what I have gathered on this site the wait is pretty long everywhere.

We have 50 some drivers in our center. Part timers with 3 or 4 years are getting driver jobs. Just depends on the area.

 

[brownmonster]

I worked full time for ten years in the printing industry before I caught on with UPS. I must say I went from surviving to thriving. I still live like I make small money though.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

I left the military after 8 years with the intention of working in the human resources field. UPS was the furthest thing from my mind. 21 years later...

 

[Richard Harrow]

As drivers retire at my center they are not being replaced.

Our most recent new-hire came on in October 2007. Since then, we've lost 1 to retirement, 1 died, 1 to feeders, and 1 to clerking. Just under four years, four drivers gone, no new drivers brought on.

 

[Big Babooba]

I waz a prufe reeder fer Webstirs Dikshunery befour I come to UPS. Cant ewe tell?

I was an engineering student 33 years ago when I came to UPS for a summer job. It's been a long summer.

 

[mm92280]

I have gone the same exact route you are describing, even by job title (laid off in 2002 from an IT job making 60k). I actually started working at UPS just before I was laid off.

Sleeve, so I'm assuming you came to UPS doing a part-time position when you were laid off from your IT job. Were you a part-time package handler? How long did you do part-time work for UPS before you moved to full-time. I just wanted to get a little more career info from you, so I can see how things progressed for you there.

 

[TheKid]

I did not find UPS . . . It found me . . . 24 yrs. ago

 

[klein]

Well, Edmonton is still seeking drivers at UPS hired off the street

It's certainly not the best job, neither the best paying job around here.
That's why drivers and other UPS employees have a large turn around.
Not many want to stay there.
Look how disperate they are : Even placing job ads on Kijiji (e-bay company) ! LOL (yeah, makes me laugh).
They treat you like crap, no wonder no one wants to work for them.

I could never visualize myself working all my life there.
I like learning and doing new things, and I can relate to other people much more, because I have done several jobs in my life.

As of now, I'm working as a Confined Space Attendant in a major power plant near the city.
It's only temporary, but pays $1728 per week (US$ 1780).

My next job might be in a brewery. They are seeking a brewer, which is very much related to my trade (dairy-specialist).
Have an interview there this week. Looking forward to it. Kind of a dream job for me
And ofcourse, it pays more then UPS, and much less hassle !

If you really want to change jobs, - go for the better, not for worse !

 

[Anonymous 10]

Well, Edmonton is still seeking drivers at UPS hired off the street.

It's certainly not the best job, neither the best paying job around here.
That's why drivers and other UPS employees have a large turn around.
Not many want to stay there.
Look how disperate they are : Even placing job ads on Kijiji (e-bay company) ! LOL (yeah, makes me laugh).
They treat you like crap, no wonder no one wants to work for them.

I could never visualize myself working all my life there.
I like learning and doing new things, and I can relate to other people much more, because I have done several jobs in my life.

As of now, I'm working as a Confined Space Attendant in a major power plant near the city.
It's only temporary, but pays $1728 per week (US$ 1780).

My next job might be in a brewery. They are seeking a brewer, which is very much related to my trade (dairy-specialist).
Have an interview there this week. Looking forward to it. Kind of a dream job for me
And ofcourse, it pays more then UPS, and much less hassle !

If you really want to change jobs, - go for the better, not for worse !

That's great Klein maybe that job will have there own kind of Brown Cafe message board that you can post on. This would be a dream for me and others here. Good luck and hope I don't see you around.


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[Babagounj]

mm92280
a little background about klein , he was fired for washing down his evening meal with a beer, while on the clock.
So him stating his wish to work in a brewery , never mind his wish to work at all , is quite humorous.