Maria Thomas
Manager for Postal Service
“Remember you can't start at the top of the totem pole.”
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Started at a Cal Poly Pomona
Due to mother's death and father leaving to work in Alaska I was forced to support myself.
I began taking classes part-time at a community college.
Started working for the US Postal Service
Earned my AA degree
Transferred to Cal State Fullerton and earned my BA in Sociology
Continued to work for US Postal Service and went into management
Retired with 25 years of management dealing with customers, employees and multiple unions.
Education
High School
Career
Manager for Postal Service
Retired, but ran a large Post Office for several years.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Business
Travel
Learning / Being Challenged
Day to Day
Running a Post Office entails dealing with customers, employees and unions on a daily basis. Your first priority is to get all the mail delivered every day in an efficient manner. My job also entailed total responsibility for everyone and everything coming and going into my building and delivery within my city. Also responsible for establishing delivery for new homes and route adjustments, requesting additional staff, hiring, and firing, etc.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Do some research on their hiring procedures. Remember you can't start at the top of the totem pole. Your first goal is to get hired, then work diligently at whatever job you attain. Think about your options; figure out what steps to take to prepare yourself for the next step-up the ladder. Work hard and learn from others. Ask senior people to mentor you on your journey. Always behave appropriately both on the job and off the job.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
""You're too young to be a manager. How can I yell at you, you're a woman. Don't help her she has to learn to do it by herself." (unloading trucks when I first started). The Postal Service was very male dominated when I started."
Challenges I Overcame
School Stress
First-Generation College Student
Q&A
What made her interested in studying Sociology
Asked by alondra at CSUFThey liked the classes the major offered, and what the major entailed.
Interviewed By
alondra
at CSUF
