first steps to the bottom of the Earth

[will]

Hi! First off, I have to mention how helpful this site is!!! I’m interesting in getting a job in Antarctica and have been cruising the forum for a while, which has answered most of my rather uneducated questions. However, I’m still a little fuzzy on a couple of topics. First of all, when is the best time to send in a formal application through the Raytheon website (for the next summer session- 2009/2010). I plan on attending the Job Fair in march/april, so should I hand out my resume there and then formally apply through the website after? Or should I apply before the job fair, but still hand out my resume there? Thanks in advance!

Secondly, I wonder if anyone has a suggestion on how to build a good Antarctic resume? I’m a first-year college student who is majoring in Biology, but I want to take a year off (for various reasons). I’ve lived in Minnesota all my life, so I days where the temp is -50 are not completely foreign to me! I haven’t worked many official jobs, but many unofficial ones (aka, slave labor). I’m used to physical labor (farm work with horses… some 15 hour days even). I have been around the world a little bit (Europe, across the U.S. for equestrian triathlons, and half my family lives in Canada). I have also worked a retail job for about three years now or so. Since I do have some time before I apply for an entry-level job, what are your suggestions for adding experience before then? There are many handy-man or cooking jobs that I can find through my university, but are there better ways to build up a good Antarctic-hopeful resume? I’ve heard some of the good positions for first-timers are janitorial, general assistant, or a dining assistant. What are they looking for?

Thanks! This group has been a big help and I hope I don’t sound too naive!

[thepooles98]

For most jobs it’s far better to have done the job for real before going to the ice. Translation, If you want to be janitor, it helps a lot if you’ve been a janitor before. Mostly these entry jobs are boring. If you’ve done it before you know what to expect and it isn’t the shock that the job would be to someone else. If you are still in school and want to try for a DA or janitor job, then get part time jobs at school in one or both areas.

I’d apply for GA general assistant as well, It sounds like you are already there. That is where the general handy person does well.
You might as well apply now if you can go at a moments notice this year. Otherwise the hiring wont start till March or so next year. The hiring/resume process has changed over the years and is now heavily controlled by HR. Still you might as well give it a go. Remember at the job fair to get permission to keep in touch with the people who like you.
M

[will]

You should apply for dining attendant or janitor, those are the jobs you probably have the best chance of getting, if you dont mind hard work. If you’ve ever had any survival training or similiar skills in a sub zero environment (Ive worked in Alaska) that helps translate down in Antartica.  I went through the whole schpeel even attending a job fair a few years back.  I have my first contract to go down this season, I’m also waiting to hear about a job in Greenland with VECO if I get that I won’t be heading south this year but north rather. Good luck with getting down to the ice.

[Been_There]

If you are like Free Spirit 87 and would back out of a job after having applied and offered a position, don’t bother to apply.  You are not the kind of person the program wants.
 
BT

[will]

Has FS87 arrived yet?  Really curious how he does.

[Sciencetech]

I’m not sure if anyone knows who he/she is, so it’s up to FS87. Hey FS87 — where are you? On the Ice yet, or did you go to Greenland?

The board has been quiet lately….. [crickets chirping]

[Been_There]

Not nearly as quiet as that other board.  ZZZZZZZZZ BT

[will]

Thanks for the help. And good luck to those going south (and for those already there)!

[Author]

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