Monday, July 28, 2025
The biggest draw this summer? USPS career conferences
Employees are flocking to the professional development events
The Postal Service’s career conferences are pulling in crowds this summer.
Carlos Perez, an acting customer services supervisor at the New Britain, CT, Post Office, was one of 183 attendees at a Connecticut District event held in June.
“There is so much knowledge in this room,” Perez said. “I’m going to work tomorrow with a richer perspective. I wish we could do these more often.”
The conferences allow participants to explore job opportunities and potential career paths, network with USPS leaders, take part in interactive sessions and even get a professional headshot.
The Postal Service scheduled 50 conferences across the nation, from May through August.
California 5 District broke its attendance record this year with more than 250 employees signing up for a June event, nearly 160 employees attended an event in Washington District.
“Even more impressive than the conference’s turnout was the engagement,” said Mina Varma, a Seattle employee development manager. “There were a lot of questions and discussions this year.”
The boost is not only for the employees who attend — managers benefit, too.
“These events help you spot more talent,” said Jack Colwell, a Connecticut District Post Office operations manager. “I’ve already spoken to a number of good candidates.”
Career conferences are open to all Postal Service employees while off the clock.
Employees can sign up for a career conference by clicking on the career conference banner on Blue or LiteBlue, which offers a list of available dates and locations, along with registration information.
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Like always, the eagle faces forward
USPS is celebrating its past, but its focus remains the future
The Postal Service marks its 250th anniversary on July 26 with an eye on the future.
Although the organization has spent the past few weeks celebrating its past, it remains focused on the same thing that has motivated it from the beginning: its mission to serve the American public.
In recent years, USPS has worked to transform itself through improvements to its mail and package delivery network; investments in new infrastructure and equipment; upgrades to its workplaces; and the rollout of a new delivery fleet.
The changes have allowed the organization to create new products and services such as USPS Ground Advantage and USPS Connect that provide new opportunities for growth and better ways to serve customers.
Under the leadership of Postmaster General David Steiner, who began his tenure this month, the organization is focused on continuing to improve its service, operating in a financially self-sustaining manner, and strengthening its reputation, brand and culture.
It’s the same spirit of dedication and innovation that led to some of the organization’s greatest achievements: Post Offices, the Pony Express, airmail, ZIP Codes, automated mail processing, Forever stamps and USPS Informed Delivery.
What will be the great postal success stories of tomorrow?
Check back in another 250 years. Chances are the Postal Service will still be here, delivering for a nation that has always depended on it.
This is the final entry in Link’s six-part series on the Postal Service’s 250th anniversary. Previous entries are available on the 250 Years of USPS page.
Heroes
He didn’t throw caution to the wind
This employee helped a customer who was knocked down by strong gusts
Letter Carrier Ryan Thompson was completing his deliveries in Bridgeport, CT, on a blustery day last January when he spotted a customer in need of help.
Twenty minutes earlier, the Postal Service employee had delivered mail to the man’s home.
As Thompson looped back around the neighborhood, he spotted the customer on the ground outside in the freezing temperatures and stopped to check on him.
The man explained that he had come out to retrieve his mail but strong winds had knocked him — and the screen door he was holding onto — down. He was unable to lift himself back up.
Thompson helped the man up and took him inside his home. The customer declined Thompson’s offer to call 911.
The man’s wife later wrote a letter to the local Post Office thanking Thompson.
Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered July 20-26
USPS turned 250 — and we were there to cover it
The Postal Service marked its 250th anniversary last week. Maybe you heard?
Link delivered comprehensive coverage of the milestone throughout the week, including an overview of anniversary activities; stories about two philatelic releases — the 250 Years of Delivering stamps and the “Putting a Stamp on the American Experience” prestige booklet — and their joint dedication ceremony in Washington, DC; articles about the Delivering Since 1775 website and little-known facts about the first postmaster general, Benjamin Franklin; and the final installment in our six-part postal history series.
We also brought you a special anniversary-themed edition of “News Quiz” and told you about a stamp contest that invites the public to bring back a favorite stamp from the past.
Finally, “Heroes” brought you the story of Ryan Thompson, a Bridgeport, CT, letter carrier who helped a customer who was knocked down by strong gusts, while “People” highlighted the Postal Service’s man of the hour these days — Stephen Kochersperger, the USPS historian.
He’s done more than a half-dozen media interviews in recent weeks as the organization geared up for tis 250th anniversary, but if you think he’s had enough, think again.
“While the 250th has kept me very busy, I don’t think of talking about our history as work. I enjoy it,” Kochersperger said.
Hey, we feel the same way!
Email us your feedback. Your comments could be included in our “Mail” column.
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The biggest draw this summer? USPS career conferences
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Like always, the eagle faces forward
USPS is celebrating its past, but its focus remains the future
-
Heroes
He didn’t throw caution to the wind
This employee helped a customer who was knocked down by strong gusts
-
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered July 20-26
USPS turned 250 — and we were there to cover it