| Gap years are becoming increasingly popular with | | | | the most lucrative season. There are also catcher |
| those aged anywhere from 18 to 32 years old. It's not | | | | processor vessels that harvest fish, and process them. |
| just a year between school and university, when | | | | They float around the fishing grounds, tracking the |
| uncertain teenagers, on the brink of adulthood, take | | | | shoals. Workers are paid hourly, with overtime and |
| time off to travel and experience different cultures. | | | | bonus incentives that can result in earnings of $800 - |
| Many young people take gap years after university, | | | | $1000 per week. |
| before entering the work world, as a final fling, away | | | | Working as a deckhand or harvester is far more |
| from responsibility and the prospect of paying tax. Gap | | | | lucrative. Deckhands usually get a percentage of the |
| years are also on the rise among those experiencing | | | | boat's catch - a crew share. It's possible to earn in |
| career crises, who are disillusioned with their current | | | | excess of $20,000 in less than a month. Tasks include |
| jobs, and take time off before settling into something | | | | net repair, wheel watching, net hauling and rigging. |
| new. One of the more interesting and dynamic gap | | | | Harvesting takes place during autumn, winter, and |
| year options is to head off to Alaska to be a part of | | | | spring, with the most lucrative season being from late |
| the lucrative fishing industry. | | | | January to April. It's possible to work as a deckhand in |
| Gap year opportunities in Alaska are relatively rare. But | | | | summer as well, with positions being most abundant on |
| non-residents take 57% of the jobs in the fishing | | | | Salmon trawlers. |
| industry, so your chances of a successful application | | | | A typical day on a trawler lasts between eighteen and |
| are good. Why Alaska? Why fishing? Alaska doesn't | | | | twenty hours, allows crew four or five hours of sleep, |
| sound like the most exotic destination in the world, and | | | | and then starts again. The most important rule is: never |
| it has a well deserved reputation for being ice cold. It's | | | | complain! Jobs on harvesters are sought after, so if |
| within stones' throw of the North Pole, after all. Fishing | | | | you should be lucky enough to get one, show your |
| isn't a particularly appealing job option either. Long | | | | appreciation with dedication and hard work. It's what's |
| hours on rough seas, the unmistakable smell of fish | | | | expected. As part of the crew, you are an integral |
| seeping into your pores. There is, however, a lot going | | | | part of a team, and it's important to do your share of |
| for this unusual choice. | | | | the work so that the ship can continue to run smoothly. |
| The money is very good, especially if you're fortunate | | | | Punctuality is also vital. Sleep is precious on a trawler; |
| enough to be placed on a crab-fishing vessel. Your | | | | unnecessary dawdling can deprive other members of |
| board and lodging is paid for, which means more | | | | sleep, which can put lives in danger. |
| money in your pocket. Spring and summer jobs are | | | | Working in the Alaskan fishing industry can provide |
| available for those who don't like the cold. The industry | | | | many varied and unique challenges that, once |
| isn't limited to fishing trawlers, as there are also | | | | successfully completed, can improve self-confidence. |
| positions onshore involving processing and packaging, | | | | Physical and mental challenges, competently |
| as well as a variety of support jobs. | | | | overcome, prove your stamina and endurance, as well |
| When entering the industry, it's easier to make the | | | | as your ability to think on your feet. There are risks |
| processing side your first port of call. Processing is | | | | and dangers involved, and occasionally fishermen lose |
| done both onshore and offshore. Offshore processing | | | | their lives at sea. But you could choke on your morning |
| takes place on floating processors, which are usually | | | | toast while rushing out to work. Life is full of hidden |
| anchored in a specific area for some time. Summer is | | | | dangers: why not take some head on? |