After working a summer in Alaska I have had some amazing experiences. It is a location that is super popular for seasonal work and offers tons of different jobs. Like most experience, the more prepared you are the better it is, so to help you with that, here are 10 things to know before you head up to work in Alaska for the summer season.
1. You Probably Won't See the Northern Lights.
If you are heading to Alaska for the summer, you have to remember that this is the time of year the sun shines almost 24-hours a day. The Northern Lights need complete darkness in order to come out, so they probably will not be making an appearance until after August when darkness becomes more prominent. The Aurora season is usually September through April.
2. The Midnight Sun Will Mess With Your Sleep Cycle.
Speaking of 24-hours of sunlight.... The Midnight Sun is an amazing thing to witness for the first time, but your body may not feel the same way. With the sun still high in the sky at 2:00am, your body may encourage you to get up and be active. If you do not have black out curtains, then an eye mask will be your best friend, so be sure to pack one. It can be hard getting adjusted to a good sleep routine. Help your body out by paying attention to the time and making sure you are getting to bed at a decent hour.
3. Travel Before the Season Starts.
Summer in Alaska is May through September. If you choose to travel after your work season ends, you will be catching the tail end of everything. Many animals, including puffins and specific whale species, may have already migrated for the winter. A lot of tour operators and tourist hot spots will be coming to a close for the season, or may already be closed for winter.
April and May is when the whales migrate back to the state, and things are opening for the season. Get there before your contract beings to have a better chance at seeing most things. This is especially if you are taking a remote job or will not have easy access to hot spots on your off days.
4. Understand What 'Remote' Means.
There are tons of opportunities for remote jobs in Alaska. This does not mean you are only off the grid during the weekdays and can drive 20 minutes into town on your days off. Remote could mean living out on a glacier where your weekly supplies is flown into you. It could also mean living up in the arctic circle where the closest neighbor is a 4 hour drive. For me, it meant living on a small island that took two separate planes to get to, packages shipped in via barge once a month, and one convenience store that had closed the year prior. Living remote is a cool experience and wonderful for some, but it is not for everyone.
5. Choose Your Job Carefully.
If you are looking to go to Alaska because you heard you can make a ton of money working at a seafood processing job, then you heard right. However, while you can make a lot of money at these types of jobs, it probably also means that you work more hours, have less time off, and are further away from the locations you want to see. A season may only last a few months, but you probably want to enjoy your job and overall experience. You can find great jobs where you can have a great time and make a lot of tips. So be sure to do your research and choose carefully.
6. You Will Encounter Wildlife: Do Your Research
Alaska is home to various species of wildlife. Hopefully, you already know that these wild animals should not be approached for both their safety and yours. While you may be planning to stay away from them, you never know what you may encounter, especially if you are in a remote area or out on a hike. Do your research and ask your employer about the animals around your area and the specific steps you need to take if you come across any. This is especially important when it comes to encountering different types of bears.
7. Things Can Be Expensive.
If you found a job that includes housing and meals, then you made a good choice! Alaska itself can be very expensive, and I do not just mean when it comes to eating out or paying for tours. Grocery shopping can be rough on your credit card, and gas prices are not cheap. So, plan ahead by saving up a bit of money to get you started, or find a job where you will not need to worry about those things.
8. Everybody Knows Everybody.
The majority of towns in Alaska are small. Those who live there know everyone in town and can easily tell a tourist from a local. If you are in town for more than a week, locals will quickly learn who you are, why you are there, and who you work for. I am not saying this in a negative way at all. All the local people I met in Alaska were friendly and I enjoyed getting to know them. Just know, there may be nothing that you can do without everyone knowing about it.
9. Don't Make Assumptions About the Weather.
When people think Alaska, usually icebergs and snow are included in whatever they are imagining. This may be true, but it does not mean Alaska is always cold. The state sees all type of weather. The summer in Alaska can be very warm, especially the further South you go. I worked in Southern Alaska and was in shorts and t-shirts almost everyday. If you are heading further North, chances are you will experience colder days, but it will still be sunny and beautiful the majority of the time. You will also see bouts of rain and sudden temperature chances from day to day. Thus, layers are usually best. Find the highs and lows in the location you will be living in and pack accordingly.
10. Pack Bug Spray or Bring a Bug Net.
The amount of bugs you encounter will depend on the location you are in. You may not encounter too many mosquitoes in bigger cities, but if you are in a wooded area you may be fighting off your fair share. Many people bring bug spray that has DEET in it, as this is considered a highly reliable repellent. Where I was, there were swarms of gnats that were not bothered by bug spray, so many of the visiting guests wore bug nets over their faces.
11. Lack of Service Makes it Hard to Communicate with Family.
Most of Alaska is still very wild and remote. This means little or no cell phone service in many places. Lack of cell service can make it difficult to communicate with your family back home, even if you are from the lower 48 states. I recommend downloading WhatsApps, or another texting app that runs off wifi, so you can easily communicate with friends and family all over the world. Download the app before you go, and make sure the people you are trying to contact have it downloaded as well. Of course, wifi can also be spotty depending on your location.
Conclusion
Working a summer in Alaska can be a lot of fun, and even more so if you are prepared. Have fun working your summer season in Alaska, I hope it is an amazing experience!