Ernest Shackleton’s Trans-Antarctica expedition of 1914 – 1917 is one of the most incredible adventure stories of all time. The goal of this expedition was was to cross the Antarctic continent from one coast to the other via the South Pole. In summary, the men on this adventure actually never set foot on continental Antarctica. On their journey they managed to survive the loss of their ship in the Antarctic pack ice during a season when there was no chance of contacting the outside world or of being rescued.
This is the job description from Ernest Shackleton, recruiting for his 1915 “Imperial Trans-Atlantic Antarctic Expedition”. Shackleton does not sugar coat or beat around the bush with the job description. He clearly outlines what the candidates would experience during this adventure.
Did you know that he received more than 5,000 applications?
How many people today would apply for this position?
Why would you?
This is not your typical job description and there’s very to attract most sane people. When you look for a job there various things you consider. Location; potential career prospects; workplace culture and the big one; compensation! I have had my share of reading job postings and going on job interviews and it can be hard to clearly get a good picture of what you might be signing up for. Not the case with Shackleton…he made it vividly clear!
Location? You won’t be close to home!
Career prospects? It’s going to be hard work; if you survive you might be promoted into to the position of a man who perhaps wasn’t as lucky.
Culture and compensation? The pay was minuscule and reading between the lines…it will probably be rather long unsociable working hours.
Here is the rub…in the end, the “Imperial Trans-Atlantic Antarctic Expedition” was not a success. The Endurance eventually sank and the crew were adrift, surviving on ice floes for almost two months before making land again some 497 days after setting sail. Despite all of the misfortunes, despite all the hardships and despite failing in almost all his expeditions, Shackleton and his crew remain legends even to this day!
Was it for what they earned? no!
Was it for a glamorous lifestyle? no!
Why? Well, because sometimes the job is bigger than the job description!
For more information on Shackleton, check out this Harvard Business Review interview with Nancy Koehn, Harvard Business School historian and editor of The Story of American Business.
Also you can pick up a copy of ‘Endurance: Shackelton’s Incredible Voyage’ by Alfred Lansing.
What do you look for in a job? and why?
