The two westernmost states of the United States offer a study in contrasts, not only in such obvious aspects as climate and living conditions, but also in employment opportunities.

Alaska’s climate and geography can present challenges to those who view the state primarily as a scenic wonderland and don’t consider other aspects of living and working there.

It’s a good idea to visit Alaska before you decide to move there. Be sure to also research the cost of living, the job market, and other factors that could affect the success of your transition.

According to one report, Alaska ranked 20th among U.S. states in per capita income, but its unemployment rate was higher than the national average and its employment growth rate was slow. Cities that were likely to have the most jobs also tended to have the highest cost-of-living figures: Kodiak, Juneau, Fairbanks, and Anchorage.

If you currently live in an area with decent streets and high-speed freeways, be aware that the road situation in Alaska is extremely limited. Large areas can be reached only by air and receive summer supplies by sea, which dramatically impacts the cost of living.

Alaska’s long summer days and dark winters can also affect your ability to maintain a healthy physical and emotional balance, particularly if you’re unaccustomed to those extremes.

Hawaii consists of multiple islands, which is something to consider if you are thinking about moving there. It has only two local airlines, one of which filed for Chapter 11 in early 2003. Those airlines provide “bus service” between the major inhabited islands, and if one fails, it would have a tremendous impact.

If you’re expecting to spend a lot of time just lying on the beach and working when you feel like it, think again! Land is expensive, and apartments at reasonable prices can be scarce. You need a decent salary. A good source for local information is the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, www.coc.hawaii.org

Most job opportunities, including those for seasonal positions, occur in the services sector. Some transportation-related growth could occur in the Anchorage area, and teaching positions may be available in rural villages. Some industries and sectors are poorer choices due to declining demand or strong competition. These include the oil and gas industry, state and local government, federal government, mining, urban schools, timber and fishing.

“Finding Work in Alaska,” at www.labor.state.ak.us, advises job seekers to have a round-trip ticket and enough resources to last until they find work. The site suggests that newcomers have on hand $2,000 if they are looking for temporary work and $3,000 if they are seeking a permanent position.

Peter Hill of Distinctive Resumes notes that the “old boy” network is a huge factor and newcomers must make friends quickly if they expect to land a good job. Businesses are more likely to hire local people.

Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism expects the gross state product to grow by 2.1 percent in 2003 (up from 1.2 percent in 2002), and employment figures tend to follow that number.

An article on the Workforce Explorer site, www.hiwi.org, indicated that Hawaii’s projected statewide employment from 2001 to 2003 would exhibit a slight overall decrease, with a gain in some service-producing industries partially offsetting losses in others, particularly transportation, communication and utilities. Some growth was expected in education, training, and library occupations and in computer and mathematical occupations. However, the increase in actual number of positions wasn’t particularly large.

According to an April 2003 article in the Honolulu Advertiser, Hawaii is experiencing a fairly flat economy. Its jobless rate dropped to three percent in March 2003, the lowest in over 12 years.

Online publications can provide extensive information about both Alaska and Hawaii. For example, you can find links to local newspapers in each state at www.media-news.com. Newspaper content includes searchable classified advertising sections.