Shelly Finley

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Shelly Finley

Shelly Finley

Job title:

Science and Technical Project Services Supervisor - South Pole

Institution:

Antarctic Support Contract - Lockheed Martin

Location:

Centennial, CO

Education:

MS Applied Physics, University of Louisiana at Lafayette BS Physics, Northwestern State University

Job description:

I support science at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica. I spend 3 months each austral summer helping NSF funded scientists implement their research. The rest of my time is spent in Denver planning for the next season.

Biography: 
My first career after my MS was teaching Physics and Astronomy at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts for 10 years. I then received a fellowship at NSF in the Division of Polar Programs and had the opportunity to travel to Greenland and Antarctica. I loved the Antarctica experience so much I joined the Antarctic Support Contract through Lockheed Martin and am now the South Pole Science Support Supervisor
Excitement:

I work at the bottom of the world! With big telescopes and scientists who are trying to figure out the beginnings of our universe.

Frustrations:

The 16 hour plane ride from the US to New Zealand. Only getting 2-minute showers per week when I'm "on the ice"

Challenges:

You have only 3 months in the austral summer to get all the necessary work done at the South Pole before the station closes for the winter. Outside of this window it's too cold for planes to land.

Advice:

Always try something new. Keep pushing to do more. Maybe you don't exactly know what you want to do once you have that degree, but do something and then continue to try new things. I never thought about working in Antarctica. But I took advantage of every opportunity that presented itself and now I have my dream job.

Job Sector:

Industry

Highest Degree:

Masters