UPS IT Professionals Program

This program provides a seamless pathway for MC students who are enrolled in Computer Science or Computer Information programs to connect with a UPS mentor, build a project portfolio and connect with full-time UPS IT professional positions.

Program Overview

This program provides a seamless pathway for Metropolitan College (MC) students majoring in Computer Science or Computer Information to obtain mentoring and IT skills to support graduates transitioning to a full-time UPS IT employment opportunity. MC students participating in this program will be eligible for:

  • Mentoring: As soon as you are enrolled as an MC student attending school and working third shift, participants will begin meeting with UPS IT professionals at least twice a year for mentoring and coaching. UPS IT mentors will assist students with:
    • Review of resume and on-line career portfolios
    • Feedback about coursework that aligns well with skills needed at UPS
    • Guidance regarding UPS IT career pathways that fulfill student’s career goals.
  • Experiential Learning: Once you have developed IT skills sets, students work at UPS during the day in an IT experiential learning position (co-op/internship). Students will build an IT portfolio of project work. Students will maintain their eligibility for Metropolitan College benefits.
  • Employment: After graduation, students have the opportunity to fill a full-time position at UPS as an IT Professional with an entry level earning potential of $40,000-$100,000. Students will also have the opportunity to continue their education to increase certification levels while working full-time as an IT professional.

IT Professional Positions

MC students have the opportunity to participate in two types of IT Professional Positions:

  • SUMMER INTERNSHIP
    • Paid position
    • Full-time positions working 8am-5pm five days a week
    • Recruitment for summer positions begins in the fall term
    • Existing Metro College participants may be eligible for Metro College benefits for the duration of internship
  • SEMESTER CO-OP
    • Paid position
    • Part-time position
    • Hours are flexible; supervisor will work around the student's class schedule
    • Position appointment for 6 months with the opportunity for an extension
    • Recruitment for these positions is year around
    • Existing Metro College participants may be eligible for Metro College benefits for the duration of co-op

Key skills and competencies

  • A solid understanding of either Java, C#, or .Net demonstrating an understanding of the unique quirks and peculiarities of that language
  • A solid understanding of Object Oriented development concepts
  • A general understanding of web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript / TypeScript, web service calls)

UPS has numerous different types of full-time IT professional positions supporting all of its world class global applications. The 3 most common types of entry positions are Software Development Engineers (various frameworks), Software Quality Engineer, and Business System Analyst.

In addition, UPS also has positions that some may qualify for in User Interface/User Experience Designer (UI/UX), Database Analyst, Data Engineer, Information Security Analyst, Data Scientist and Data & Business, Systems Programming Analyst, Technology Support Analyst, and Intelligence Analyst.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER

The Software Development Engineer (full-time supervisor) performs duties and tasks to support full systems life cycle management (e.g., analyses, technical requirements, design, coding, testing, implementation of systems and applications software, etc.). This position performs tasks within planned durations and established deadlines and collaborates with teams to ensure effective communication and to support the achievement of objectives. This position provides development, maintenance, and support for applications.

Recommended Skillsets: .Net, Java, Angular, SQL Server, Couchbase, Azure, or GCP coding experience.

BUSINESS ANALYST

The Business Systems Analyst works independently on projects of low to moderate complexity. This position serves as a liaison between the business community and Information Services (I.S.). This position elicits and analyzes business needs for assigned projects, communicates with stakeholders, and participates in determining if the solution fits within the long-term strategic vision. This position ensures that Business Systems Analysis (BSA) work products conform to quality and content standards.

Recommended Skillsets: Agile Scrum Master fundamentals using Azure DevOps (ADO).

SOFTWARE QUALITY ENGINEER 

The Software Quality Engineer (full-time supervisor) executes Information Services (I.S.) and Quality Assurance (QA) processes with moderate guidance. This position identifies problems, generates alternatives, and recommends solutions within defined processes as well as documents the progress of assigned tasks to ensure objectives are met. This position collaborates effectively with software quality engineer team members, software development engineers, software vendors, consultants, user communities, and test environment technical support staff in the execution of testing procedures. This position supports testing efforts of small to medium complexity. The Software Quality Engineer is knowledgeable of the key processes and technology within the business functions he/she supports.

Recommended Skillsets: .Net, Java, Angular, SQL Server, Couchbase, Azure, or GCP manual and automation testing experience.

Applicant Requirements

Students interested in the UPS IT Professionals Program must meet the following requirements:

Experiential Learning additional considerations include:

  • Complete a minimum of 3-4 IT courses
  • It is not a requirement to receive co-op or internship credit to participate in this pathway.
  • While not required, students are encouraged to connect with the JCTC/UofL Academic Advisor to learn about opportunities to earn credit.

How To Participate

Step 1: Connect Early With A UPS IT Professional

  • As soon as you become an MC participant, UPS wants to connect with you to provide coaching and mentoring.
  • Email us at UPSITPathway@ups.com In your email, share with us:
    • First and Last Name
    • GEMS ID
    • School you attend and major
    • Your IT interests and goals
  • Attend a UPS IT Professionals Information session to learn more about our program and network with UPS IT professionals.

Step 2: Create a customized IT resume and on-line career portfolio.

  • Begin to work with a Metropolitan College Student Success Counselor to customize an IT resume and on-line career portfolio so you are ready to apply to the UPS IT Professional Program
  • MC Students may contact their assigned Student Success Counselor through their MyMC page to set up an appointment.

Step 3: Apply to an experiential learning positions

  • Interested MC students should apply through UPS' Management Career Opportunities (MCO)
  • Click here to connect to UPsers and login to review an article which provides an explanation of the process for applying through MCO and provides the direct link to apply.
  • If you have questions, please email UPSITPathway@ups.com

UPS IT Professionals Information Session

UPS has numerous IT opportunities in the Louisville area that are a great fit for MC students!

UPS Operation Technology (OPT) division develops and maintains the numerous UPS applications that support all of the UPS Airlines and Transportation Departments worldwide. Within OPT, there are countless opportunities across different roles and technologies. OPT has entry level engineers in .Net and Java, Business Analysts, Software Quality Engineers, and User Interface designers all working in modern tech stacks. We can also get you in touch with groups in information security, data analytics, and other fields within UPS as well.

OPT recognizes the great potential of your IT degree and UPS experience and would like the chance to meet with you and share the many job openings and career paths that we have available. The goal of this session is for MC students to network with UPS IT professionals and to answer any questions you may have. Students are welcome to bring a copy of their resume, share their online career portfolios, and/or bring a coursework plan to receive feedback from UPS IT professionals. 

We invite our MC students to attend one of our career fair events. Please join us any time during the in-person and virtual career fairs events listed below.  These events are an open house format to allow students to come and go as they need. UPS IT professionals are looking forward to connecting with you!

  • (In-Person) Next meeting to be scheduled in May 2024. Check back soon for more information. 
  • (Virtual) Details to follow. 

If you have previously attended an IT career fair, you are welcome and encouraged to join us again to network with UPS IT professionals as well as learn about available positions.

Contact Information

To learn more about this program, contact your George Scott, MC Student Success Counselor.