The Challenges: When Dream Jobs Get Difficult

Not everything is magical. Summer heat makes the iron unbearable. Winter wind cuts through warmest clothes. Tourists can be demanding, rude, occasionally violent. The same view that initially amazes becomes mundane.

"Burnout is real," acknowledges staff counselor Dr. Françoise Chen. "Employees deal with extreme conditions, repetitive tasks, constant public contact. We rotate assignments, mandate breaks, watch for signs of stress. The tower demands much from those who serve her."

COVID-19 brought unprecedented challenges. The tower closed for three months—the longest since World War II. Skeleton crews maintained essential systems while colleagues were furloughed. "Seeing her empty was heartbreaking," recalls maintenance chief Robert Martin. "She's meant for people. Without visitors, she seemed to grieve."

Reopening brought new protocols—masks, distancing, reduced capacity. "We adapted as we always do," says operations manager Claire Rousseau. "The tower has survived wars, protests, storms. A virus couldn't defeat her, or us."