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Hello,
I have been Really REALLY wanting to work down in Antarctica for the past several years and am looking for some suggestions on how to secure myself a position for either Summer, Winter or both down in Mcmurdo. I am willing to take ANY position, but my experience is with finance, computers, and GIS. I attended the job fair last year but nothing came of it. Besides the online application process, what else can I do to let them know I am really interested? How do I get contact names and numbers/email addresses for HR to let them know I want to work for them?
Thanks for any suggestions or help!
Janehi Jane
it may not be too late for this upcoming summer season (october)–did you get business cards/names last year when you were at the job fair? it not, do you know anyone that’s been down here before? you need to be super pro-active in this and call people….every week. you may think you’re bordering on being a stalker but you have to be persistant. i tried for 5 years and it took that long for me to get a dishwashing position. although if i’d done what i did the 5th year the first year, i would have been down here alot sooner (job fair, weekly phone calls and emails). i’d say start calling now, asking about primary but also alternate positions. if you can at least get pq’d your chances greatly increase. they’ll tell you they don’t have any positions but don’t beleive it.
chances are that you’re not going to get an office job your first year and although i would not recommend being a d.a. (dishwasher), it did get me down here….it totally sucks though. dig back in your past too, think about the physically harder jobs you’ve had and push those–especially with G.A. or D.A. (they can be brutal). The janitor positions may be a good way to go too….better than D.A. for sure.
if you don’t have any manager names, call the raytheon number on the website, get an HR rep on the phone and ask him for names of different managers (janitors, d.a.’s, g.a.’s, etc.)–the only way your app/resume will get any attention is through managers–NOT HR. also, read back on this message board–this message has basically been repeated over and over trying to help new folks get in and you’ll find alot of good info.
good luck and also, it’s definately worth begging to get down here–i love it.
Big VBasically, just attending the job fair in order to GET the names and contact information. Then keeping in touch with them. Meet the HR folks at the fair, sell yourself. Let them see what a valuable employee you would be.
It’s difficult to make an impression through an email or snail mail. Making a face-to-face impression is more lasting.
Sharonsharon’s right, the job fair is important especially if you don’t have an “in” already down here (spouse, friend, etc.)…i think there may be additional job fairs around the country coming up like in Seattle and Alaska–maybe see if you can still make one of them.
Big VHi Jane; Where are you from? Flying to Seattle and/or Alaska is a major
expence for basically a minimum wage job, be sure its worth all that expence
before you proceed. If your motivation is Adventure only then what the heck
but if its also for financial gain (quite important in todays world) then
use caution with the expenses. No doubt Antarctica is worth experiancing but
care needs to be heeded with the pocket-book. Big V is right about the DA
and GA positions down there, they are hard positions and if your an older
person…GA would be very hard. Keep in mind….GA's shovel LOTS of snow
and chip LOTS of ice….4 to 6 months worth.Rick
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http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/I flew to Denver for the job fair because the one up here in Fairbanks Alaska is quite small, and not many managers are here for it. I went last year just for fun (I already had my second year job) and I would guess there were about 15 people there? That is managers and job seekers. I stayed for about an hour. I was enjoying the excitement in the room of all the possible FNG’s seeking jobs. One hint would be, no matter what job fair you attend, is to ask a lot of questions, and just hang around talking to people. We all love to talk about the Ice. Dont just drop a resume and chit chat and leave. Stay awhile, talk, meet people. ~Amy
Jane the common theme here is making contact, find the right people and then keep in contact. The job fairs help you find the right people, but it’s not the only way. You’ll have to be a little inventive at this point, but keep at it. By the way there is one GIS person each summer. Possibly more if you include the science groups. There are one or two finance jobs. There are lots of computer jobs. In fact, take away the DAs, GAs and tradespeople and pretty much everyone else uses the computer at least some for their jobs. So keep up a great attitude and start the networking process.
mike
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