My personal experiences as a letter carrier in Richmond, Virginia

Postal truckPhoto byJoel MoysuhonUnsplash

I was the postmaster's secretary in Piscataway, New Jersey 08854 for over eight years before I transferred to Richmond, Virginia 23225 as a letter carrier.

Transfer from Piscataway, New Jersey

The only way to transfer from Piscataway, New Jersey to Richmond, Virginia was to give up some things. I had to give up my seniority and go to the bottom of the carrier list. That meant giving up typing letters, answering the telephone, running an office for the postmaster and three supervisors, and being the timekeeper for over 100 employees.

Before transferring to Richmond, the supervisor of carriers in Piscataway had to teach me how to drive postal vehicles. Driving a postal van wasn't as challenging as learning to drive a 2-ton truck. Even so, I passed the driving course.

Transfer to Richmond, Virginia

Once I moved to Richmond, I was the only female in the medium-sized post office where I was assigned.

• I hated working as a letter carrier.
• I hated driving a postal vehicle.
• I hated delivering mail in the hot summer and cold winter.
• I hated having to deliver mail in the rain.
• I hated being chased by dogs.

Postal CarrierPhoto byNatiional Geographic Screenshot

As a person of faith, I believed things would have to change for me. While delivering mail, I prayed and imagined having a secretarial position again.

Three months later

Things changed after three months when I was offered a clerk's position in the main post office. It wasn't a secretary position, but it was much better than being on the street every day.

SecretaryPhoto byBoston Public LibraryonUnsplash

It was not long before I was offered a secretarial position in the postmaster's office. I was glad to be behind a desk, answering the telephone and typing letters again.

Length of journey

My transfer from the Piscataway's postmaster's office to the Richmond's postmaster's office was only three months. Within that short time, I had three positions, but only one that made me happy.

• a carrier delivering mail
• a postal clerk sorting mail
• a postmaster's secretary again