The coolest IT job in the world - some streaking required

"IT STAFF WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. SMALL WAGES, BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF COMPLETE DARKNESS, CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL. HONOR AND RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS."

That wording, borrowed from the advertisement that legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton supposedly issued for one of his expeditions in the 1800s, is what IT Manager Henry Malmgren dreams of posting as he struggles to staff some satellite tech positions at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica.

“Luckily, we’re not quite at that point anymore,” he says, although there are days when his staff must walk between buildings in -100 degree temperatures to repair equipment. Today, he says, “We just try to go with people who are interested in little bit of an adventure and all around personality.”

And just a little bit eccentric. If you don’t believe it, just look at what these guys do for fun. For an in-depth look at what it’s like being the IT Manager at the South Pole, read the interview with Malmgren. And don’t forget to check out the image gallery.

Copyright © 2007 IDG Communications, Inc.

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