Vagabumming in Asia perchance?

Yes. I’m in absolute awe at the possibilities that life has presented me. I mean, I’ve had it pretty good for a long time, but I’ve really found myself appreciating that fact for the past year and a half or so. I’m so completely blissed out for such long periods of time that sometimes I begin to worry that I’m manic. But no, no mania here, I’ve just been blessed with a wonderful life.

So, this fact that life is wonderful, I’ve found, can’t be taken as a small piece. It can’t be isolated from the rest of my life. That’s to say that decisions that I’ve made and actions that I’ve taken all came together to put me exactly where I am right now at this very moment. While there have certainly been rough patches in the past; and I often think that if I would have known then what I know now that I would have done things differently, well, I think I’ve abandoned that line of thinking too. All of those events that I may have resented before have contributed to my current state and I am unwilling to give this up, regardless of what any alternate past may have produced.

Right about now, you’re wondering, “what the hell, Will, what are these possibilities you speak of and why all the introspection?” Well, wow, where to start? As you likely know, I’ve been doing contract work in Antarctica for the past six years or so. I’ve done some amazing things, including spending a winter at The South Pole, a winter at Palmer Station and several seasons at McMurdo Station as well as visiting quite a selection of field camps and research sites on the continent of Antarctica. I can remember, very clearly, how completely overjoyed I was when I the possibility of working in Antarctica was first presented to me. Something that I hadn’t ever even considered before, something that was far beyond my wildest dreams ended up becoming a reality and is now a huge part of who I am. I remember last winter at Palmer Station when, for just a moment, my mind was able to really grasp how utterly privileged I was to be doing what I was doing and getting paid for it. Sailing INSIDE a volcanic caldera who gets to do that at their job? I never thought I would, that’s for sure.

Now, if the job itself isn’t special enough, what about the time off and travel? During my long periods of time off I have been privileged to surf in Mexico, ski in Canada, Wyoming, Colorado, France, Norway and even Kashmir. I’ve seen what is surely one of the most macabre churches in the world, traveled all over central Europe by rail, visited the lochs of Scotland, gazed upon Big Ben, communed with nature at Machu Picchu, been amazed at the passion exhibited by Tango dancers in Buenos Aires, stood in awe at the power of nature at Iguazu Falls, been fascinated by the remnants of an ancient society at Easter Island, surfed in Ecuador and found a home (of sorts) in Hawaii.

I was all set to try and get myself hired to go on an overland traverse on Antarctica for this upcoming season. Yes, 80 days of staring through a windshield at barren, flat white, eating T.V. dinners and pooping in a bucket sounded very appealing to me, like a grand adventure even. But alas, the universe has thrown something even more exciting in my direction. So, it looks like I’m taking at least a one-year hiatus from The Ice.

What’s Next Then?

Well, I pursued and have been offered a position in Taiwan. I’m not entirely comfortable posting much detail here, but the position is at least related to the same type of work I’ve been doing and is almost exactly what I was doing in Korea (if you knew me in those days think BIG TRUCK!!).

So, there you have it. Brand new adventure coming up and I expect to post more details about my upcoming move as they become available to me. For now, if you’re interested in the exact location you can see it on a map here: Kaohsiung (pronounced “COW-shung”). If you haven’t already, might I suggest you subscribe via RSS or you can even get email updates. Both of these services are free, don’t include any advertising and are a great way to keep up to date with what I have posted.

P.S.
I am SO looking forward to taking a surfboard with me to my next job!

Always dreamed of going to the South Pole? Have you ever wanted a chance to go for a whale-watching cruise on an icebreaker? Do you like to combine travel, adventure and income? Do you think (or know) that working abroad is for you? A job in Antarctica might be your answer.

Discuss on our forum

Every year thousands of people deploy to one of three United States Antarctic Program (USAP) research stations, one of several field camps or to one of two research vessels. Some of these people are scientists; representing nearly every branch of science that you can think of. You haven’t got to be a scientist, however, to work in Antarctica. The primary support contractor, Raytheon Polar Services Company (RPSC) together with its subcontractors, hires nearly all of the support personnel for Antarctica. This could very well be the ideal opportunity for the burgeoning or experienced neo-nomad.

What types of jobs are available in Antarctica? Simply stated, each research station is a lot like a small town and you will find most of the same types of jobs at those research stations as you might find in any town in the U.S. Skilled tradespeople are in especially high demand. People who have verifiable work experience as a plumber, carpenter, electrician, equipment operator or mechanic will find their skills much sought after. Other jobs, however, make up a large percentage of the jobs available. Cooks, dishwashers, laborers, janitors, warehouse & supply chain management, medical staff, vehicle driver, radio operator, IT staff, office administration, retail – these are the types of positions that must be filled in order for science to be successful. If you’re tired of the corporate grind or if you’re a liberal arts major you wouldn’t be the first to take a job scrubbing toilets or shoveling snow to escape a soulless existence in cubicle hell.

So how then, does one go about getting a job in Antarctica? Experience tells me that the one thing that everybody who gets to Antarctica has in common is a strong desire to be there. The red tape that must be negotiated is a daunting obstacle and weeds out all but the most tenacious. The seemingly obvious first step is to find a job that you might be qualified for. These jobs aren’t very well advertised, and RPSC’s website isn’t very user-friendly, but that’s the place to start.

Step one:
Find a job that you might be qualified for. Contract positions on “The Ice” are offered for for between four and fourteen months, with most starting in October and ending in February (this is the main “summer” research season). The jobs are listed at RPSC’s website . As of this writing, jobs are listed as being located in Centennial, CO, so start with a search at that location. If you’re not sure what you might be qualified for, just browse all jobs until you find one that interests you. Pay special attention to the qualifications and before going to the trouble of applying, ensure that your work experience is commensurate with those qualifications.

• Tip: Each spring RPSC holds a job fair at their Centennial (Denver) headquarters. If you can make it, it might give you an edge on getting hired.

• Tip 2: Seasonal work not for you? Not to worry. RPSC also hires full-time people who are based in the Centennial (Denver) office. Many of these positions deploy for all or part of the research season.

Step two:
Once you’ve found a job that you feel you are qualified for, go ahead and update your resume (or C/V)

Need Help? Get Started Now with e-resume.net

and apply for the job you want. It might be worthwhile to try to network a little bit. Keep the whole “degrees of separation” thing in mind. You probably know someone who knows someone that may be able to help. Remember what I said before, if you want to get to The Ice, you’re going to have to make the effort.

Step three:
If your application got through the human resources gamut and on to a decision maker, you will be contacted for an interview. Most of these interviews are done over the phone. Standard interview rules apply here. Your application materials got you this far, your interview will get you the job. This is also the time to ask questions. The person conducting the interview, however, may not have ever been to The Ice, but they will most certainly be able to get answers to your questions from someone who has. Shortly after the interview, you should be given some sort of indication of whether you got the job. RPSC offers both primary and alternate positions. Don’t be discouraged if you’re offered an alternate position, rather embrace it as a chance to really put your best foot forward. At this stage, you will be required to submit a great deal of personal background information for a formal background check. Another daunting task, seemingly designed as another screen-out element.

Step four:
If offered a position, you must physically qualify (PQ). The PQ requirements will vary depending on your age and the type of contract you are being offered, but expect to have an age appropriate physical exam done as well as a dental exam. You will also be asked to fill out heaps of other paperwork, and though it has nothing to do with your state of health, it is all referred to as part of the PQ process. If you pass your physical/dental, the cost of these exams is re-reimbursable.

• Tip: Keep copies of EVERYTHING. If anything is lost, it is much easier to submit a copy rather than do it over.

• Tip 2: If you are going to be in the Denver area, see if your hiring manager can schedule your appointments with a local doctor/dentist who will direct bill RPSC.

• Tip 3: Read a hilarious account of life in Antarctica:

Step five:
The rest of your life… If you haven’t already got a frequent flier account with American Airlines, get one. You may think your trip to Antarctica is a one-time deal – it probably isn’t. As a new hire, your future holds a free round-trip ticket to either Christchurch, New Zealand (if going to McMurdo or the South Pole) or a free round-trip to Punta Arenas, Chile followed by a free cruise to Antarctica that many people fork over thousands for.

Tip: It’s probably not going to be wine, women and song, but you will meet some great people, travel to exotic lands and all the cheap beer and free music shows you could ever want.

So…what are you waiting for? It’s time to take working overseas to a whole new level. Get a job slacker!

In the next edition(s):
Beating the high cost of gas!
Eat for free!
Free housing!
Travel in Patagonia!
Travel in New Zealand!

You can come discuss employment in Antarctica in our forum

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