Careers for Graduates with a Degree in Meteorology
Yes there really are lots of careers for graduates with a degree in meteorology. While meteorology may not be the most popular major on campus, this field of study still sends graduates with a degree in meteorology into a number of exciting careers each year. In fact in the United States today there are estimated to be more than 30,000 career positions being filled by graduates with a degree in meteorology. What makes the job search for graduates with a degree in meteorology comparatively easy is that many careers for graduates with a degree in meteorology are concentrated among a relatively small number of employers.
Television Meteorologist Perhaps the best known and most visible career for a graduate with a degree in meteorology is that of a television meteorologist. We all have occasions when we need or want to tune in to our local television station to get the latest update of the weather in our area. When we do we can’t help but encounter the graduate with a degree in meteorology who is employed by the local station to keep area folk well informed. Because meteorologists are seen so regularly on television they become imbued with a certain television personna. Many of us develop our own personal favorites not just among anchor men and women but also among meteorologists
Many young people who have a fascination for weather and weather related events and who also are drawn by the mystique of appearing on television give serious consideration to preparing to follow the career of television meteorologist. Of course the total number of television careers available for graduates with a degree in meteorology is limited according to the total number of existing television stations and positions available on the Weather Channel. Still it is graduates with a degree in meteorology that typically fill those positions. Well trained graduates with a degree in meteorology who know how to use available technology to provide an accurate weather forecast via a personality that plays well before the television audience put themselves clearly in the running for television careers.
National Weather Service One of the largest agencies to offer careers for graduates with a degree in meteorology is the National Weather Service. Working in this bureau allows graduates with a degree in meteorology to routinely work with state of the art weather tracking and predicting equipment and to rub shoulders with top scientists in the field of meteorology. The National Weather Service offers careers for graduates with a degree in meteorology at its national weather centers, regional centers and field offices. Work entails gathering data, processing data to produce forecast models and analyzing data to establish trends and patterns.
Employees of the National Weather Service process data to produce timely weather forecasts, warnings and watches which are made available across the nation. The normal daily interest in weather forecasts swells when weather turns dangerous or threatening. Graduates with a degree in meteorology work to relieve anxiety by furnishing accurate weather information that not only keeps citizens safe but also allows weather sensitive industries to plan and function. For graduates with a degree in meteorology, working with the National Weather Service can mean a rewarding career of community service. Perhaps the only drawback to pursuing a career with the National Weather Service may be the challenge to relocate in order to apply for regional positions or promotions.
Other Government Agencies Graduates with a degree in meteorology who are looking for careers that offer average or above average pay schedules, stability, health insurance and retirement benefits will find options within many other United States Government bureaus, agencies or programs. Almost every aspect of our national life is in some way affected by weather both in the short and long run. It is essential that any departments that deal with agriculture, mining, construction, infrastructure, security, disaster prevention and transportation in any form employ graduates with a degree in meteorology to assist in applying pertinent weather factors to bureau planning and ongoing events.
Graduates with a degree in meteorology are also in demand by the Department of Defense for work in the several branches of the armed services. Informed awareness of approaching weather fronts and weather patterns are a necessary part of all military planning in peace time and in war. Much of the work of our armed forces requires significant transport and the movement by air or sea of large detachments of troops and amounts of equipment and supplies into climates often different from our own. Graduates with a degree in meteorology are employed to make the transport, transition and living conditions workable and sustainable.
Consulting Industry and agriculture around the world are reliant upon and in some ways subject to the patterns of weather. Naturally companies look for ways to make weather a cooperative partner in their enterprises. As a result there are many career openings for graduates with a degree in meteorology who enjoy working in a consultative capacity. The graduate with a degree in meteorology serving as a consultant can help agricultural and industrial interests to effectively work with and in some cases even harness climatic forces in ways that raise both productivity and profit.
For graduates with a degree in meteorology who wish to pursue a career in consulting there are obvious stumbling blocks. Any type of consulting requires that you either work for an established consulting firm which would limit your professional freedom or that you have enough resources to see you through until you build up your client�¨le. Consulting in the area of meteorology may also require some travel or even temporary relocation. But the returns on this investment of self tend to be positive. Consultants enjoy the variety of client�¨le and climatic problems they encounter and the specialized nature of there work ordinarily guarantees respect and a healthy fee.
Research Weather surrounds us and effects everything we do. We have come to rely upon graduates with a degree in meteorology to furnish us with prompt reliable reports of the weather we must face. But in our new millennium it appears that a knowledge of weather may not just help us to avoid getting caught in a downpour. The work of graduates with a degree in meteorology may be crucial to our very survival in a world besieged by meteorologically based problems.
Current research is being done by graduates with a degree in meteorology that will help us to continue to effectively deal with tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards and tsunamis. But research is also forging ahead to suggest ways to resolve issues like acid rain, unhealthy air and global warming. The presence of major meteorological challenges suggests that there will be many research opportunities available for graduates with a degree in meteorology who enjoy the challenge of life in the lab.
As long as there is weather and the need for humans to survive in its path there will be many and challenging careers for those who decide to pursue careers as a graduate with a degree in meteorology.
