New job - Heading to the arctic

Next week I am embarking on a new chapter in my career of networking, and that is spending the next 4+months in Northern Canada in the arctic circle on a government project.

I wanted to share this to show the kind of interesting opportunities that IT can bring. A lot of people likely assume that IT only leads to sitting in a dark cubicle alone for the rest of your life, but it doesn't have to be. If you are willing and able, there are lots of interesting ways to enjoy the technology while still getting to experience some adventure.

No, I have never been up there before, but I cannot wait to experience the culture. I have started a blog to update what life is like, and it will be slightly technical in case any of you are interested (primarily Cisco Networking). Can be found here: North by North

Any messages for Santa?

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Comments

Asif Dasl

Congrats! I think... You sound happy, so I'll presume this isn't like being sent to a desert island. The Eskimos need networking too it seems. I'm sure it's nice weather there these days but I don't envy you come winter time.

GT-Rob

haha yes its a good thing (I hope!).

22hrs of sunlight right now, and about low 60s so not too bad right now. Trust me, I will be running before winter, -60degrees...no thanks!

veritas_libertas

Yes, tell him I would love to work IT in his toy factory...

mas:

Webmaster

Congrats, sounds like a life-changing opportunity!

GT-Rob wrote:

22hrs of sunlight right now,

Just shut the windows, lock fair daylight out, and make yourself an artificial night.

And please remind Santa it's been 25 years and I'm still waiting for my Optimus Prime G1...

Everyone

Awesome, sounds like a rare opportunity, I bet it pays pretty well too.

networker050184

Thats pretty cool. I saw some job posts for Antarctica and thought about applying. Maybe one day I'll go do something cool like that. Enjoy!

onesaint

Congrats on the new job. That sounds like quite an adventure!

My wife wouldnt let me go down to Kuwait for work. She's a military brat and doesn't want to drag the kids anywhere! The opportunity is there for IT and adventure though, for sure.

LordQarlyn

Congrats! I just started my first TRUE IT job in Alaska. Was an adventure bringing the family up, driving from Las Vegas to Anchorage. They're new to the US, so they loved seeing the American (and Canadian) countryside.

A couple months earlier, I just finished two years in Iraq, so won't be going over to the Middle East again anytime soon.

Jack2

Sounds like a COOL job!!

aethereos

It would be awesome if you could take pictures of the surrounding areas and blog frequently about the experience.

Essendon

aethereos wrote: »

It would be awesome if you could take pictures of the surrounding areas and blog frequently about the experience.

That's an excellent idea!

Congrats GT-Rob! Would this disrupt your CCIE lab prep, out of curiosity?

geek4god

One word of advice! If a polar bear ask you if you come here often RUN!!

mikej412

Good Luck with the job.

Even if it turns out to be routine you'll still have the "Arctic Experience" on your resume that will make you and your resume memorable over your future job competition.

GT-Rob

Think of the resume skills I can add!

-Experience with snow mobile repairs
-works well in igloos
-Ability to work in 24hrs of daylight, or 24hrs of night

Not too much new skills, but every job brings new experience

ITdude

Don't forget your thermal underwear!

GT-Rob

After moving from one apartment to another yesterday in high 90 degree temps, I am looking forward to the low 50s that are up north right now! I leave tomorrow

MAC_Addy

GT-Rob wrote: »

After moving from one apartment to another yesterday in high 90 degree temps, I am looking forward to the low 50s that are up north right now! I leave tomorrow

The heat is extremely bad here - no rain for weeks. All my grass is dead. I envy you going to somewhere that's nice and cool.

How did you land that job? I've been interested in doing some jobs that require me to travel to somewhere that's out of the ordinary. What will you be doing?

Dakinggamer87

Congrats and good luck with new job!!

phantasm

That sounds like one heck of an opportunity. Good luck!!

kalebksp

I was working in Barrow last week. The client took me out to Point Barrow (Northern most point in the US) on an ATV. It was pretty cool, lots of very flat land and sea. I also got to see the pile of whale bones from one of the Native Alaskan's hunts.

Very interesting place to visit, but I don't think anyone could pay me enough to live out there.

Good luck with the job!

ThePrimetimer

Good luck on the new journey!

It would be kinda cool to have a job like this. I keep having a co-worker tell me to go work on the North Slope in Alaska cause that's where the money is.

Easier said than done.

jahsoul

kalebksp wrote: »

I was working in Barrow last week. The client took me out to Point Barrow (Northern most point in the US) on an ATV. It was pretty cool, lots of very flat land and sea. I also got to see the pile of whale bones from one of the Native Alaskan's hunts.

Very interesting place to visit, but I don't think anyone could pay me enough to live out there.

Good luck with the job!

I lived in North Pole, AK and I'm trying to find a job that would let me move back up there. That is one of the most beautiful places I've ever lived. It was more of a culture shock for me. Coming from the real Birmingham (have to live in Alabama or know about the dynamics of the city to get that one..lol) to AK was, for lack of a better phrase, different. IT is kinda spotty up there unless you work for the Goverment (civil service) so I'm just waiting for the right time.

GT-Rob

The job was through a consulting company that I have done work with in the past. I was looking to move on from my current role, this came up, and I went for it! I really want to break into consulting/sub-contracting as I always get bored in normal roles after a year or two, so hopefully this will jump start that. If not, it will be a good experience anyway.