Aaron
My journey into the hospitality/seasonal job industry started back in 2016. Sweating on a Toyota car lot washing cars, I texted my friend who had spent the past two years living the dream in Alaska. I simply asked “Hey man, I’m tired of this Atlanta heat. Just curious, is the hotel you’re working for hiring?” Thankfully, his reply was a solid “Yes.” I waited for my lunch break to get online and send in my resume to Alyeska Resort. It took about a week for me to get my phone call. Conveniently, I was at the movies with my younger brother. My phone was on vibrate, previews had just started and my phone buzzed. I wish I could have seen the perplexed look on my face when I saw that a number from Alaska was calling.
Of course, I answered the call with excitement and ran into the hallway where the call instantly dropped. Thankfully, I got back into contact with the front desk manager and we had a brief but wonderful interview over the phone. The words “You’re hired” never sounded so sweet. Overwhelmed with excitement, I only told a few close friends and family members. I’m a huge social media person, and I waited until a after few adventures to officially post to Facebook that I had been living in Alaska for the past month.
The excitement and joy I felt saving up my money to buy that one way ticket to Alaska is something I can’t put into words. Spending the last three years living and adventuring in, as most people call it, “The Last Frontier”, has been nothing short of amazing. (Although, I have to say, I am currently residing in West Glacier, Montana, and it’s a close tie with the beauty here and the views I have enjoyed in Alaska.)
It’s a weird time to be working in a National Park with an international pandemic going on. But here I am, taking any chance I get to adventure and making the best out of the situation. I was hired on as a bellman originally at Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier. Due to Covid, they chose not to open that part of the park. Working as a porter/housekeeper has definitely been an experience here! I have a new outlook and respect for the people that choose this as their profession. My job in Alaska was a bellman and I highly enjoyed it.
Getting to meet and talk to people from all over the country gives me joy. I’ve had many guests return over the years and they remember me, and it’s almost like distant family. I enjoy giving suggestions on where to eat, hike, and just enjoy their vacation. Knowing that there are so many parks out there to explore makes me very excited. Looking forward to my next park and adventure. I can’t wait to share my new experiences with all the new people that I will meet along the way.
