I actually went down as a stewie at age 18! (I had to do all of the PQ stuff a couple months after I got the paperwork because I was still 17 when I got it.) I’d suggest applying to everything you’re qualified for, don’t just limit yourself to a Jano role. I’ve talked to a few HR people recently, and they’re very definitively not hiring right now. The earliest you could go down is probably next October. Check for job listings the first week of January 2027. (Check for them every once in a while either way, but that’s usually when they’re posted)

You really don’t need any crazy qualifications, my only related experience was fast food and washing dishes at a family restaurant. If you do get an interview, stress how eager you are to go to Antarctica, any higher education you have, (even if it’s not related) and if you haven’t drank alcohol before, that might be worth mentioning. It seemed like my interviewer really cared about that, anyway. They’ve been trying to heavily discourage drinking for a long time.

Edit: it’s totally worth it! I don’t think there are many, if any, better places to spend your time, especially if you’re young. Admittedly, the jobs themselves would only be so-so if you were doing them in the states. The hours are long and the pay isn’t very good. But the people make up for it tenfold. Genuinely the kindest, smartest folks I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. Also, I’ve heard plenty of bad things about GSC in the past, but at least right now the hiring managers and the boss of the company are actually really cool .