Jobs on the Ice
In response to a comment on my last blog about jobs here.....
The first place to look is on the U.S. Antarctic Program website it shows all the different opportunities to come down here. If your friend isn't a Ph.D. or a renowned artist/writer her best bet for getting a job here is with one of the support companies. Raytheon Polar Services Co. (RPSC) is by far the largest.
RPSC starts posting job openings in February or March on their website:
On that website the best thing to do is apply for anything you might be qualified for. I applied for at least 10 jobs and that's pretty standard unless you're a skilled tradesperson like a plumber. (note: if you know any good plumbers, electricians or mechanics, RPSC always seems to need more of them)
The actual hiring process is long, complicated and everyone here seems to have some story about how their paperwork got lost... so if your friend wants a job she should keep following up on her application every couple of weeks.
Very few people here (aside from skilled tradespeople) get hired unless they go to one of the job fairs. Think about it, the job's at the bottom of the world so it's tough to replace people who are lazy or have severe social problems. RPSC doesn't pay to fly people to Denver Headquarters for interviews so the job fairs are really the only places supervisors get to meet the people they are hiring. A flight to Colorado may be expensive but it makes you a lot more attractive to hire. (and could get you a better job that makes up the cost of the flight in a few weeks)
Your friend will likely get a job as a member of the "377 club." It's named for the weekly wage of Janitors, Dish Washers, and General Assistants this year. There is also an internship program I don't know much about where you get paid less and have to turn in a research project. Evernone in the club is overqualified: there are a lot of Liberal Arts majors and even a rocket scientist here washing dishes. With a 54-60 hour work week and no overtime pay members of the club make less than minimum wage, but you don't have to pay for rent, food or the trip to New Zealand. (seeing your paycheck, however, is still depressing especially AFTER they take taxes out)
Jobs are competitive and you should really want to get to Antarctica and work hard. Mainly they want people with the potential to stay in the program for a few seasons who can deal with isolation and old facilities and won't want to go straight back home after they get off the plane.
If you have any more questions you and your friend can e-mail me at my Alumni.Olin.Edu address.
The first place to look is on the U.S. Antarctic Program website it shows all the different opportunities to come down here. If your friend isn't a Ph.D. or a renowned artist/writer her best bet for getting a job here is with one of the support companies. Raytheon Polar Services Co. (RPSC) is by far the largest.
RPSC starts posting job openings in February or March on their website:
On that website the best thing to do is apply for anything you might be qualified for. I applied for at least 10 jobs and that's pretty standard unless you're a skilled tradesperson like a plumber. (note: if you know any good plumbers, electricians or mechanics, RPSC always seems to need more of them)
The actual hiring process is long, complicated and everyone here seems to have some story about how their paperwork got lost... so if your friend wants a job she should keep following up on her application every couple of weeks.
Very few people here (aside from skilled tradespeople) get hired unless they go to one of the job fairs. Think about it, the job's at the bottom of the world so it's tough to replace people who are lazy or have severe social problems. RPSC doesn't pay to fly people to Denver Headquarters for interviews so the job fairs are really the only places supervisors get to meet the people they are hiring. A flight to Colorado may be expensive but it makes you a lot more attractive to hire. (and could get you a better job that makes up the cost of the flight in a few weeks)
Your friend will likely get a job as a member of the "377 club." It's named for the weekly wage of Janitors, Dish Washers, and General Assistants this year. There is also an internship program I don't know much about where you get paid less and have to turn in a research project. Evernone in the club is overqualified: there are a lot of Liberal Arts majors and even a rocket scientist here washing dishes. With a 54-60 hour work week and no overtime pay members of the club make less than minimum wage, but you don't have to pay for rent, food or the trip to New Zealand. (seeing your paycheck, however, is still depressing especially AFTER they take taxes out)
Jobs are competitive and you should really want to get to Antarctica and work hard. Mainly they want people with the potential to stay in the program for a few seasons who can deal with isolation and old facilities and won't want to go straight back home after they get off the plane.
If you have any more questions you and your friend can e-mail me at my Alumni.Olin.Edu address.
posted by Adam at 9:51 AM
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