Out of Work? How About Moving to Antarctica?

The twin collapse of the credit and housing markets has led to a collapse of the construction industry, leaving many skilled carpenters, plumbers and other tradespeople out of work.

But the collapse of the world's environment is creating new opportunities for work in the frozen south. Yes, folks, Antarctica is hiring.

The British Antarctic Survey, which produces a lot of the startling reports about the fragile state of Antarctica in an era of global warming, is looking for a few good men and women.

"Trades people looking for a career with a difference should check the national press this week. British Antarctic Survey (BAS) launches a recruitment campaign on Thursday to attract carpenters, electricians, plant technicians, plumbers and chefs to work at its research stations on the frozen continent," reads a new press release from the research station.

But, no doubt the personnel recruiters are correct when they promise that it's "an opportunity of a lifetime."

"We have world-class laboratories, accommodation buildings, offices and technical facilities at our five scientific research stations. We need the best trades people to keep everything running smoothly and to provide top quality support to our science program," stated Personnel Manager James Miller. "The chance to work in the Antarctic surrounded by stunning scenery, icebergs, penguins, whales and seals is a fantastic opportunity and not something employers in the UK can offer."

Want an idea what working in Antarctica might be like? Check out Encounters at the End of the World, Werner Herzog's weird documentary about life in a research station in Antarctica. It's just recently been released to DVD and is available on Netflix.

Herzog, who was paid by the National Science Foundation, assured his funders that he had no intention of making another "movie about penguins" -- in other words, another movie about nature and the state of the natural world. His movie, instead, focuses on the strange personalities and landscapes of the world's most inhospitable and least populated continent. Even when he does dally on the state of wildlife, it's to chronicle the otherworldly sounds of animals calling underneath the ice, or the unexplained madness of an AWOL penguin. Yes, even the penguins are driven crazy in Antarctica.

COMMENTS ()