Those oil field jobs in Alaska are usually on a set schedule like 2 weeks on / 2 weeks off. During your shift you work 8 (or preferably more) hours per day, 7 days a week. During your time off you fly back to where you live - some people come from the lower 48 - and have 2 weeks to do whatever you want. Not a bad deal if you're not bothered working in the industry. Of course, the entire state is effectively dependent on the industry, even if you don't work for them directly.