Like a private post office, couriers and messengers pick up and deliver messages, documents, and packages. They may travel by foot, on bicycle or motorcycle, by car or public transit, but one thing remains consistent— their commitment to dependability, speed, and security. Depending on what they’re delivering, messengers may need to load and unload vehicles or meet a client to pick up a package they’ll carry in a bag. Some couriers have routes along which they make multiple deliveries, while others take a single package for immediate drop off. Companies often entrust couriers and messengers with confidential or time-sensitive packages. Some couriers work within a small area, such as a single business district… others are responsible for entire cities. Some messengers travel across state lines or internationally. Work schedules are set based on delivery patterns, for example couriers who work within a company may work a regular schedule, while those who travel across country may have long hours, with more time off between deliveries. Many couriers rely on their physical fitness and sense of direction. Some simply walk from one department to another or ride in vehicles for deliveries. They may work for law firms, medical facilities, businesses, or delivery companies. Most messengers have a high school diploma or equivalent.
What they do:
Pick up and deliver messages, documents, packages, and other items between offices or departments within an establishment or directly to other business concerns, traveling by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, or public conveyance.
On the job, you would:
Deliver and pick up medical records, lab specimens, and medications to and from hospitals and other medical facilities.
Obtain signatures and payments, or arrange for recipients to make payments.
Record information, such as items received and delivered and recipients' responses to messages.
Business
customer service
Transportation
movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Arts and Humanities
English language
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
talking to others
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Hand and Finger Use
hold or move items with your hands
put together small parts with your fingers
Controlled Movement
use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Dependability
Attention to Detail
Integrity
Independence
Self Control
Concern for Others
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Office suite software
Microsoft Office software
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
high school diploma/GED or associate's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
In the military:
see titles from the Air Force.
Produced by 
License
