Career In Meteorology

Why is it so frickin difficult to get a degree in Meteorology?

Why would you get a BS in Meteorology, rather make quadruple the pay as a surgeon or something, look at all these rigorous courses you need: General Chemistry I: Essential Concepts of Chemistry w/Lab Use of Computers in Meteorology and Oceanography Calculus I Calculus II Calculus III Elementary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra Probability and Statistics with Computing General Physics with Calculus I/Laboratory General Physics with Calculus II/ Laboratory Physical Processes in the Atmosphere and Ocean I Physical Processes in the Atmosphere and Ocean I Meteorological and Oceanographic Observing Techniques and Systems Planetary Climate Change Computer Programming with Applications in Meteorology and Oceanography Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Ocean Weather Chart Analysis and Discussion Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Cloud Physics Atmospheric Dynamics I Weather Analysis and Forecasting I Atmospheric Dynamics II Professional Writing in Metr. Elective course You have to be smarter than a computer i guess-have to be one hell of a math and physics tool. I wanted to be a meteorologist ever since high school but i've never been great at math and never took physics, i guess that's why there are a lot of broadcasters who just do the weather segment. Plus once you graduate and you want to get into media meteorology-good luck, you have to go to some station in nowheresville for years, the field just doesn't seem to be rewarding even if you are a weather fanatic and good in math etc.

Public Comments

1. Just go out and have a look at the clouds.
2. To get a job that you love to do and gives a good paycheck to do it... thats worth all the effort in the world... What would you rather do? hate your life cause you have to wake up every morning and go into a hell hole at work.... or wake up with a smile and be ready and happy to go into work. As a 3d graphic designer, i am more than happy i chose to go into this field and quit my old job.
3. Why? Maybe because you like the topic?
4. Yes, and I have taken them all. In some cases more than once. I also, am not the best in math and had to take several of the math courses a couple of times. The reason for the minor in mathematics is due to the complexity of mathematical models of the atmosphere which are complex and if you don't understand the math of the models, it is really impossible to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Nearly all meteorologists will agree that the dynamic meteorology courses are the most difficult. That is where the math and physics are combined into forecasting. I was determined to get that degree in meteorology and willing to take courses over until I understood them. That is why it is not too unusual for a forecaster to have taken five or six years to complete the four year course of study for the degree. The reason for the persistence is that I truly enjoy weather even with all of it's difficulty and peculiarities.