BRYAN, Texas — The Texas heat is unavoidable, especially when your profession requires you work outside all day.

Jay Bates has served as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service (USPS) for 10 years. Working six days a week and close to 300 days out of the year, the job can be demanding.

“You get wore out as the day goes on delivering mail,” said Bates. “You have to make sure you keep drinking water so you don’t get dehydrated out here.”

Mail carriers in Bryan, Texas deliver nearly half-million pieces of mail every week, according to a USPS spokesman. Before they hit the streets, carriers must load and organize their truck’s load, including packages letters and flats. Read more