I am thinking about applying to a position on the Alaska Railroad I see has opened. I am qualified for it, and would be a great step on my railroad career journey. Coming from Minnesota, at the very least the snow won’t have shock value. I am looking for any and all things Alaska. How is the company, how will it affect me long term if/when I decide to come back to the lower 48? How is living in Alaska? ETC Anything is appreciated?
Go for it Max !: [bow]
Better to try it now, and find out if it is all you think it is cracked up to be.
Rather than wondering “What If I Had…” for the rest of your life.
You say you are qualified. No reason not to. GOOD LUCK! [tup][tup]
I lived the first 11 years of my life in Chugiak, 23 miles north of Anchorage. The closest thing I’ve seen to the terrain of that part of Alaska is the North Shore-mountains, trees, rivers, lakes, and wildlife. The winters, in the area around Anchorage are actually milder, temperature wise, than around Duluth. I’m not sure how the snow compares. I just remember that in the winter, it snowed every day. In the spring and summer, it rained every day.
I would imagine many who are qualified are applying for that job. If I were you, I would get the application in before they might have an early cut-off.
This was fifty years ago, but I spent just under a year and a half in the Anchorage area when I was in the army and loved it. Many of the career military people liked it so much they repeatedly applied for extensions of their tours up there. I was always interested in photography, but the beauty of the country made me more fanatical about it. As Murphy said, the winters are milder than you might expect, though as you go inland, you lose the moderating effect of the ocean. The long days in summer (The sky still has a red glow at midnight.) and long nights in winter might take some getting used to.
PS After a year in west Texas and New Mexico, I thought the people there were some of the friendliest, but I think the people in Alaska may be even more so.