Antarctica Update!

As many of you already know, this adventure is taking place in large part because of our desire to work in Antarctica during the austral (southern hemisphere) summer and winter seasons of 2005-2006 (summer starts in October and winter starts in January/February). We hadn't yet secured positions "on the ice" before leaving Amsterdam because Michiel needed a permanent resident visa (green card) before he could interview and apply for any jobs.

Competition for the approximately 500 non-scientific job slots is fierce and every year, there are about 12,000 applicants. Applicants who attend the annual job fair in Denver, Colorado greatly increase their chances by showing their face, talking to lots of different hiring managers, and expressing their enthusiasm; however, priority for the jobs always goes to returning personnel and, unfortunately, this coming year, there are lots of "returners".

That said...we both got offers to be alternates in the Supply/Logistics department. Michiel got an offer for Materialsperson - a job that entails lots of inventory counts and manual labor. Sheri received an offer for Inventory Control Specialist, which is a data entry position. These weren't our first choices, but all of the IT positions are filled as are all of the cool, outdoor coordination-type jobs.

Alternates do not have a job but go through all of the tough medical qualification procedures. They are fist in line if a primary candidate cannot make it. Alternates are also attractive for other departments who are looking for good and physically qualified candidates who are ready to go.

In the meantime, we are hoping that some primaries get ill (not fatally - just ill enough not to be able to work on the ice) and are actively pursuing other positions on the ice.