This part of my life deserves much consideration because the knowledge I gained from this training is what has brought me most of the pay raises and promotions I have had during my career. Most of my formal Vocational Training was provided by the US Postal Service. I found my job with the Postal Service through a tiny ad they had posted in the New York Times back in 1983. Unbeknownst to me at the time the Postal service started making huge investments in automation technology. They were shifting away from labor and moving towards capital as the economic mode of production. This created a huge surge in demand for personnel with mechanical abilities and electronics knowledge. That is why they put the Ad in the News Papers. They could not get enough emloyees from the inside who knew both fields and could pass the tests. I passed the test with ease and was one the first people hired to go into the newly created position of BEM (Building Equipment Mechanic). In this position I would work as an HVAC mechanic on large AC systems and also fix the electric and electronic controls if needed.

My ability to absorb new knowledge and apply it effectively was greatly appreciated by the USPS. This is why they sent me to so many schools because they knew as soon as I got back I would hit the work floor and produce outstanding results with the newly acquired knowledge.