In November 2019, I was checking out the job opportunities on the french Polar Institute website. I was in Norway as an Erasmus student in my last year on environmental engineering studies, and already thinking about what I would do next. I still had 6 months of internship until end of July 2020, but then I could do anything !
What I've been wanting for a long time now is to be part of a scientific mission in the polar regions. Especially Antarctica ... So on that November evening, I was hopefully searching for the opportunity of joining an expedition. There weren't many offers that seemed to be appropriate for me...but then I came across an offer to work as a field operator for atmospheric measurements on a subantarctic island, called Amsterdam island. I've done a lot of instrumentation during my studies, so this could work out !
In December 2019, only just back home after 7 months in Norway, I sent my application for the offer. Let's see what happens !
I received an email early February 2020, inviting me to an online interview for the offer. Yay !! It was followed a few weeks later by an invitation to a second interview, in Grenoble this time. Friday 13th March, not long before the lockdown (that was close), I managed to meet Olivier, who is responsible for the scientific program for the atmospheric measurements. I enjoyed meeting him and seeing the lab and the instruments, and as I walked out of there I really hoped all this would work out !! In fact I must have been a bit too excited on my way back to the station because I fell down the stairs and strained my ankle hahah...but all good, I had a few months of lockdown to get over it !
A few days later, Olivier calls me : I got the job !!!!
Now I have to pass the medical and psychological tests.
June 2020: three months after getting that call, I'm off to Paris to finally get these exams done!
That was a very intense day... also very exciting to see the French Austral and Antarctic Lands offices, full of interesting books and photos about polar adventures...
After that, I had a few other medical appointments to make, and then the waiting begins. Will I pass the tests ?
July 2020, I received the email of liberation : I passed the tests !!
What a relief after all that waiting. I'm off on a subantarctic adventure !!
Now it all begins : I received a big instruction manual with all the equipment necessary, and all that needs to be done before the end of August. Got to get on it !
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