Another job seeker

[Dash]

I never imagined that I would be looking for a job on snowmachine forum but here it is:

I am 37, have been in AK since 1998. I got my degree (Technical College of Machinery Engineering) in 1990 in Europe, and it is not recognized in the USA. As a matter of fact, I had to take US history and English to complete High school, which I finally did last spring.
I have never had paying job in AK, it was due to my husband wanting to have me home when he's off the Slope for his 2 weeks off. But times changed....
Being 37, unskilled, housewife and never employed just doesn't look good on the resume.....
I have been applying for entry-level possitions on the Slope since April 2008. I have worked on and off for friends (anything from scanning legal & confidential documents to residential construction work), I volunteered a LOT of hours for State Parks in the Valley (picking up trash, shoveling snow, marking trails, organizing storage sheds, etc etc), volunteered for the Iron Dog and put LOT of hours into volunteering for BAART (Backcountry Avalanche Awareness and Response Team) in last few years.
I am looking for any kind of work that pays decent (anything above $10/hr, I don't feel like being Wal Mart greeter yet), temporary, part time or full time. Of course full time Slope job would be the best but it's probably not gonna happen....
I don't smoke, I like people, I am very capable of working alone, I am responsible and fairly strong physically. I am willing to travel all over the state if it's required and worth it. I could house-sit, remote lodge-sit but prefer no baby sitting (never say never, right?).
I don't have any strong skills but learn fast and would enjoy learning. I have done all kinds of helpers jobs, I am fairly technically inclined. I worked with my husband on a complete airplane rebuilt (it was supposed to be just wings re-cover process but he ended up putting bunch of upgrades to the wings, frame, langing gear etc etc...), I cook, clean, can run a chainsaw, have some carpenter experience (we built our house ourselves, had only the sheet rock done by a company), I like to organize, I run a small travel company (www.4seasonsalaskaadventure.com) but the busy season is over now, I do the guiding, bookkeeping, designed my website. Of course I am outdoor oriented, love Alaska, I am not afraid of cold or being outside in winter...
Anyway, please let me know if you know about somebody who would hire someone like me....

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

hey dash, just an idea but why dont you hit up the sled tour guys and guide trips..I know you can ride plenty good to be a guide and it would fit with your love of riding........

 

[ripsass]

Try going down to the IBEW union hall and seeing if there is anything on the board for "industry support and clerical".
We represent teh office and clerical side of lot's of places. ACS's ect...

They are usually pretty good paying job's with good benefits.

If there is something that you are qualified for, then you can just pay a month's dues at a time and go to work.

It's on Denali St. across from Johnson's Tire (3333 Denali I think). Brick building.

Or call our organizer: Dennis Kneible 351-1146

 

[Dash]

Thanks guys! I will go to IBEW tomorrow to give it a try. As far as being a snowmachine guide, it sounds like a dream come true, doesn't it? I will contact them as well but I would prefer to be making $ before the snow falls.... Again, I appreciate your input!

 

[aksleds]

Look up Bob's Services, INC. I know we need a front office person, may be worth a shot. Accts payable type stuff, answering phones and office type work.

 

[akpolaris]

You might try investing the $$ in a CDL w/hazmat endorsement. Some entry level courier jobs on the slope require this as a minimum. For a few hundred bucks the opportunity opens

 

[Dash]

I would like to thank all of you who either posted their ideas or PMd me. I have been slowly exploring all the possibilities listed above, passed a typing test, will probably end up with CDL/Hazmat endorsed licence etc etc...
I will let you know if I am succesful.
Thank, D.

 

[greenspeed]

I just got hired at ak Usa and I like it. It requires money handling skills and you need to know how to pitch a sale, but maybe look into being a msr with them, or another job they usually hiring for but only in anchorage is some of the back office support positions.

Dash I'd even talk to some of the smaller sled shops or even team Cc and see if there looking for a person to sell clothing an such. It sounds like weak sauce but really as a guy if I go in and a women tells me this coat looks better on me then the next I'd be more willing to buy it.

 

[ak49er]

Good advice above on signing on at the IBEW hall, also check out Chugach Electric's human Resourced Department, they may be looking for Consumer Service Representatives, starts near $19.00 an hour, IBEW, full benefits, advancement, etc....