Thirty years, one company

May Lee joined Hewlett-Packard as a software engineering intern in 1987 and meant to stay for good. She never wanted to climb or job-hop, just to be loyal to a company that would be loyal back.

“I wanted to sign on for life with a good company that I knew I could be loyal to”

The signs, then the shock

A hiring freeze and cut hours hinted at what was coming, but last February's downsizing still landed as a surprise. She had planned on five more years and expected to retire there.

“This was the company I've devoted my entire career to and had hoped to retire from.”

The network didn't work

She spent the month after the layoff applying hard at other tech companies. An extensive network and referrals produced no offers at all.

You don't need the salary

A friend from HP pointed out the house was already paid off. Without a mortgage, she could chase the things she was actually interested in instead of a high-tech paycheck.

“You have so many things that you're interested in. You should look into maybe working in those areas.”

Turns out you can work there

She had vacationed in Antarctica twice and loved it, then discovered people actually get hired there. A long application, background check, and physical qualification later, she was a supply technician at Amentum.

Forklifts instead of a desk

At McMurdo she ran Warehouse 120, the IT and communications warehouse, six days a week from 7:30 to 5:30. Lifting boxes and driving a forklift was new after a career of desk jobs.

A town with no signal

Barely any internet means nobody is on their phone, so people talk at meals. There are art shows, line dancing, marathons, bingo, and her weekly DJ set, "Ms. Purple!!'s 80's on the 8."

“I've never seen that kind of camaraderie and inclusivity anywhere else.”