The two jobs I've had in my life have a bit in common. Both involve working with numbers, answering the phone, and using a computer (on occasion at my past job). One more thing they have in common is dealing with shipping and receiving packages. I find that industry fascinating, and I almost entered into it. I also love shopping online and getting packages in the mail.
At my past job, I accepted many packages working behind the customer service counter. We got shipped a lot of things including displays for movies, promotional tickets, etc. We also got shipped items that we would sell such as books of stamps, Orca cards, and lottery tickets. I would then have to enter the items with monetary value into our inventory so we could keep track. The only notable thing we ever shipped out was a drug testing kit, I believe. Not always, but on occasion when a new hire would get drug tested, we would then have to ship the test via FedEx for the results. I often would be tasked to call the number 1-800 GO-FEDEX to schedule a pickup.
I have plenty of experience in my personal life involving shipping. As I said earlier, I shop online a lot. I do most of my Christmas shopping online. I have even shipped packages to people as well. Some semi-famous YouTubers will set up a PO Box, and I have shipped them items through the United States Postal Service. I even got to see one of them open the things I sent him on video. And when my girlfriend and I were long distance, I sent her a couple care packages in the mail. Recently, because of a misunderstanding, I "subscribed" to a gift set I ordered online. I only wanted one thing. So, I had to request a refund, get the address label, affix it to the package, and schedule a pickup to send it back. I don't mind dealing with shipping and the post office, but it can be a bit of a headache at times.
I did consider a career in the shipping industry when I was between jobs. I looked at jobs for both UPS and FedEx, but the one I got closest to was Amazon. I got to the point where I needed to just find something to not only make money, but to have something productive to do. I went for an Amazon delivery driver position, because I thought that would be fun leaving people's packages on their doorsteps. I applied and got hired and did a two day training session. On my first day, I was already having second thoughts because I had to report to the warehouse in the industrial district of Seattle. Because of a miscommunication, I didn't attend my first day on time, so at that point I just decided to quit. But the knowledge I gained from the training seminar was pretty helpful, and I know I lot more about how Amazon ships packages than I did before.
At my current job, we receive packages on a fairly regular basis. Having to sign for them or provide a carrier your name is something I'm definitely accustomed to doing. I am hoping to gain more experience in the matters of shipping as time goes on. I've gotten to know and recognize the guys that deliver us packages.
And to be honest, I haven't completely ruled out a career in shipping. It's a good work out for all the awesome people out there who make sure packages get from one place to another. But I'll play it by ear and just see what my heart wants.
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