Shipping is a far more varied career path than simply delivering parcels to people’s doorsteps. Anyone with experience in one area of shipping might easily transfer into another, so there’s plenty of variety to be found within the sector.

Local couriers

Local couriers do exactly that. They work for local delivery companies and deliver parcels within a small area. Their remit usually covers a town or city, and they’ll work alongside other couriers to service residents. The type of item being shipped varies wildly, of course, and some couriers might even be charged with moving medical supplies like transplants or blood for transfusions. This means that qualifications vary too. Most local courier jobs are entry-level, but some (medical, for example) require more advanced qualifications.

Short-haul trucker

There are various definitions for what constitutes a short-haul trucker, but it’s generally accepted that any delivery within a radius of 150km would be classed as short-haul. This being trucking, however, those deliveries will be large, often heavy-duty items. Drivers must be adept timekeepers and able to handle the demands of driving a truck through sometimes congested areas. Short-haul truckers will often complete multiple shipping jobs per day and might even source their shipping jobs independently. This gives them unprecedented control over their schedules, where they’re willing to go, and how much work they want to take on.

Long haul trucker

One of the more arduous but rewarding types of shipping jobs, long-haul truckers traverse big distances. Some will travel cross country; others will venture even further and traverse whole continents. Long haul trucking is the job of choice for drivers who yearn for the freedom of the open road, but it’s not without its stresses and challenges. Driving over long distances and sleeping in a cab can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Moreover, just because long-haul truckers travel huge distances doesn’t mean that their schedules are any kinder. They’ll still have to hit tight delivery deadlines and, with so much distance involved, there’s more potential for things to go awry.

Food delivery

A part-time job or side hustle for many, delivering food can nonetheless be a full-time job in some instances. Food delivery is similar in scope to being a local courier, albeit you’ll be focussed purely on food and won’t always need a car. Motorbikes and even bicycles are standard when it comes to fulfilling food orders. This is a sector that’s expanding rapidly with more and more jobs available via apps and diversifying food restaurants, so it’s a good place to start if you want to drive but can’t commit to a full-time career.

Newspaper delivery driver

This warrants its own entry simply because of the unsociable hours involved! Newspaper deliverers start early, sometimes even before dawn, and their working day is concluded before most people’s even begins. They operate in an extremely local area (rarely, if ever, covering more than a single district) and specialize in getting newspapers out early. Much like delivering food, this is a popular part-time career.