I'm moving to Alaska and want to make sure that I have a job before I get there.?

Question

I'm sick of living an ordinary life and have decided to move to Alaska. I'm a 21 year old guy with no real attachments who is looking for a bit of adventure.

Anyways I am interested in finding some kind of heavy labor work in Alaska before I actually get there.

I'm really interested in working as an offshore seafood processor, or maybe something in oil or timber.

I'm really looking for a comany that will pay for my trip either from VA or Seattle and give me a place to live when I get there.

Answer 1

Seasonal jobs often include housing and food. Most commonly, that is work on the "slime line" of a fish cannery. In my town (Kenai, on the road system), often young locals take those jobs. But in remote settings (Dutch Harbor comes to mind), they have to fly people in. It doesn't pay as well as it did 15-20 years ago and it is tough work, but it gets you up here for free.

I'd say don't look at timber. There's a lot of out of work lumberman throughout Southeast Alaska with lots of experience.

Oilfield work, on the other hand, is always hiring. An experienced or certified driller or welder or engineer or X-ray tech is going to make great money. But even a "roustabout" (unskilled worker) on a drill rig will earn many times minimal wage (for a tough, dangerous job). Look at Veco and Haliburton, etc. They are oilfield services firms that do the hiring.

A lot of the jobs are "two on, two off". You work 14 12-hour days and then get two weeks off. Thirteen 2-week vacation every year! They fly you to the jobsite from Anchorage every two weeks. That's how Prudhoe Bay operates. a few jobs are 1 on - 1 off or 3-2.

Even through you're thinking heavy equipment, oil, etc; don't rule out support services. Kitchen work, housekeeping, etc. Those jobs can be tougher for them to fill, they pay decently and they get you on-site. Once there at the oilfield (if you're doing good work), you can chat up other workers, scope things out, consider what positions you'd prefer and be the first to hear about openings.

Someone who has shown they can come to work on time, sober and ready to work is a HUGE attribute for those companies. Bust your butt and keep your nose clean and they'll happily promote you and pay for training to enable you to do (and earn) more.

If you have time to prep for such a job, some experience welding, as an instrument tech, first aid, and safety training would all make you look like someone who is serious about pursuing oilfield work. Some junior college offer those courses at low cost.

Answer 2

My sister lives in Alaska and loves it. If you're prepared for nights all day long in one season and days all day long in another, then I think you'll do just fine. Also, a perk: By living in Alaska you get income tax refunds just for living there. The Aurora Borealis is beautiful, the sights to see are a wonder, and might I suggest going there for a look-see to be sure first? Good luck whichever you choose.