I am a 26 year-old woman eager to learn more about and travel to Alaska. A trip to this fascinating state may be a preview for my moving there; I am facing personal and professional disappointments in my current locale (Chicago) and may very well be looking for a dramatic change of scene. Is Anchorage a good place to start my exploration and research? Juneau? Fairbanks? I am a solo adventurer and eager to immerse myself in a new place -- perhaps for a week, perhaps at some point for a year or more. Also, does anyone know of a program where young people such as myself can work and travel for 1-6 months in Alaska? That might be just the thing to help me figure out what might be a good next step.
Thanks so much in advance.

What is your profession?? Because if you're a teacher....shortage of teachers up there.

Or look at AmeriCorps!

And Anchorage is just another city- much like Chicago (except more remote, with beautiful scenery and more wildlife), so if you can live in Chicago, you can live in Anchorage....

But seriously- look closely inward as to WHY you're unhappy in Chicago. Would a change of scenery actually help, or is this more of a "grass is greener" kind of thing?

Good luck!

There are a lot of seasonal jobs but it means working during the summer months and that's probably the time you wanted to travel and explore. A friend's niece used to work in a salmon cannery summers to earn money for college. Anchorage is a good place to look for a year round job. A relative with medical training didn't have any trouble finding a job in Anchorage but a very hard time when she had to move to the KP peninsula. The governor just put a freeze on hiring for state jobs until the oil problem is resolved. If you don't mind low pay (maybe just room and board), hard work in winter you might be able to find a job as a dog handler. Must like dogs and salmon.

I went through the same thing when I was young. I left very rural Minnesota and went to London where I worked for a month. Then I ended up working in Germany for a year. I loved every minute of it and would not change it for anything.

I think a "starter" trip to Juneau would be good. It is small and totally unlike Chicago but has most all of the opportunities since it is the capital of Alaska. Maybe you could find a temp state job there. They have a hostel four blocks from the capital where you can meet lots of like minded young travelers.

dfrostnh, I found some professional healthcare positions available on the Kenai recently, but haven't looked lately. What kind of healthcare giver was your friend that couldn't find work on the Kenai? I've been looking on and off for a young friend of our children who is considering a move there. This young man is a pharmacist and girlfriend a nurse. Thanks!

infinies2, I recommend you read "The Only Kayak: A Journey into the Heart of Alaska" by Kim Heacox.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159...?redirect=true

I read it before my Alaska trip. It's the author's personal account of his time in AK--he went there in his 20's to work as a park ranger in Glacier Bay NP and fell in love with AK and stayed for life. He eventually became a professional photographer, writer, environmental activist. He also talked about other people who were also transplants from the lower 49 and how they built up their friendships. Transplants and those who are born in AK for several generations have very opposing viewpoints on life there! It's not always rosy. An interesting read, and it might give you an idea of what it's like to live and work in Alaska.

speedbuggy: CNA with an EMT. She loved her job in Anchorage doing medical transport. Had previously worked in a nursing home. Now back home, got additional training in phlebotomy and likes her new job.

Glad to hear it, dfrostnh, and thanks for answering my "off-topic" questions.

Thanks everyone for the input, especially the book rec. I am a clinical massage therapist, since you asked about my profession. I've also been a dog trainer (ah HAH) and worked about 10 million other random jobs. Thanks again. Nothing is decided, but it's great to have some opinions.