She was laid off after 30 years at HP. Her next job was in Antarctica at 59
When May Lee joined Hewlett-Packard in 1987 as a software engineer intern, she had no plans to keep switching jobs or chase the corporate ladder. As a graduate, she wanted to find a good company she could be loyal to and build her career there. For decades, that is exactly what she did. But in February 2025, a layoff brought that long career to an unexpected end, as reported by Business Insider.
After spending so many years at the company, leaving was a combination of disappointment and sadness for Lee. She had devoted her entire career to HP, but she was unaware that the wildest ride of her life was just around the corner.FROM JOB HUNTING TO LOOKING BEYOND THE USUAL CAREER PATH
After the layoff, Lee went into intense job-hunting mode. She applied to other companies and reached out through her extensive network and referrals, but despite those efforts, she did not receive any offers.
Then, a friend from HP suggested that Lee look beyond conventional career options. She had already paid off her house and had several interests she could explore, so perhaps it was time to consider those areas. One of those interests was Antarctica.
Lee had visited Antarctica twice on vacation and loved the experience. However, she had never realised that people could actually work there. She began searching for opportunities and eventually found a job.
Getting a job in Antarctica is competitive. Lee went through a lengthy application process that included an extensive background check and physical qualification before securing a position as a supply technician with Amentum, reports Business Insider.
The biggest downside was the extremely low pay.
However, Lee had a strong financial foundation. Her father had taught her the importance of saving and not spending money she did not have. Since she had already paid off her house, she did not have to worry about a mortgage or struggle to afford her bills.LIFE AT THE NEW PLACE
In 2025, Lee was deployed to McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Most people there worked six days a week, from around 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Her job was to manage Warehouse 120, the IT and communications warehouse. She used a forklift to move cargo into the warehouse and checked the quantities of incoming orders against the database. The work was very different from what she had done before, with plenty of physical and outdoor tasks.
Her social life also changed dramatically. With limited data access, people were not usually glued to their phones. Instead, they spent time sitting together and talking. From a social standpoint, Lee described working in Antarctica as being similar to living in a miniature college town, reports Business Insider.
Within a week of arriving, Lee knew she wanted to make Antarctica the rest of her career. She does not think she could approach life in the same way again. The community, she found, was deeply supportive, and she experienced a level of camaraderie and inclusivity that she had not seen elsewhere.
After decades at one company and an unexpected layoff, Lee had found herself in a completely different environment, doing work she had never imagined pursuing.
Most jobs in Antarctica are seasonal, so Lee will return to McMurdo in the fall. This time, however, she will have a different role. She is set to work as a broadcast engineer, continuing the unexpected career journey that began after her layoff, the report suggests.- EndsPublished By: Karan YadavPublished On: Sep 18, 2026 08:00 ISTREAD | Is 45 the new layoff age in corporate India's job market?
