From Business Insider · Roya Shahidi · · 2m
How a 60-year-old landed a job in Antarctica
May Lee was laid off from HP after 30 years. She applied for three roles managing the US Antarctic Program and got hired as a supply technician after passing grueling health checks.
In brief
May Lee was laid off from HP after 30 years. She applied for three roles managing the US Antarctic Program and got hired as a supply technician after passing grueling health checks. May Lee, sixty, landed a job as a supply technician in Antarctica after being laid off from HP, passing extensive medical checks and a…
Laid off after 30 years at HP
May Lee worked at HP for 30 years, most recently as a marketing and communications manager. After being laid off, she decided to pursue something different at 60.
Antarctica called after two vacations
Lee had visited Antarctica twice for vacation and fell in love with it. She did not know you could work there until she looked into it and decided to apply.
Three applications, one rejection
In mid-April, Lee applied for three roles: rooms coordinator at Gana A'Yoo, service desk support technician at Grey Hawk Global, and supply assistant supervisor at Amentum.
A recruiter's unexpected outreach
In May, a recruiter from Amentum reached out to Lee, saying her résumé matched what they were looking for. The job was supply technician. She updated her résumé to match the job description exactly.
Interviews and an alternate offer
Lee had a thirty-minute video call with the recruiter, then an eighty-minute phone call with the hiring manager covering behavioral, situational, and competency-based questions. She received an offer contract for an alternate position.
Extensive medical and background checks
In June, Lee received a seventeen-page physical qualification form requesting comprehensive medical and dental information.There were eight required blood tests, a physical exam, vision screening, and a dental exam.
Promoted to primary, then deployed
Lee was cleared to onboard in June and notified she was changed to a primary in July.In September, after receiving the current-season influenza vaccine, her physical qualification was approved.
Working at McMurdo Station
Lee worked in Antarctica from October two thousand twenty-five to February two thousand twenty-six as a supply technician at McMurdo Station. She has now returned for a new role.
What it means
May Lee, sixty, landed a job as a supply technician in Antarctica after being laid off from HP, passing extensive medical checks and a background check managed by the US National Science Foundation.
