Career In Meteorology

Meteorology (degree/job question)?

Hello! I am an undergraduate Meteorology student trying to determine which minors appeal most to employers (for Operational and Research jobs). My professor really stressed the importance of a GIS minor no matter what, and even said to look more into that field than Meteorology, which disappointed me. (Is the job market for Meteorologists that bad?) Also, he told me it is extremely difficult to get into the NWS, and that NSSL is all "volunteer" jobs. Is this true? I'm staying positive despite what my professor said...and the main question is which minors are best for the operational and research sides?

Public Comments

1. I know someone who's studying meteorology, and I know some stuff about meteorology careers. The National Weather Service is tough to get into nowadays, which is why students are going to have to look in other places. Geographic Information Systems are widely used in the field these days, which is why its highly recommended (but not required) to have GIS experience. These days, meteorology students need good computer skills. Technology has highly advanced the past few decades. I recommend messaging any of the top ten answerers in this category (at the link below): http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/stars?sid=396546055 Water, cyswxman, and UALog are the people you really want to talk to. Freight_Train, Mr. Weather, Sturm Vogel, and WR should be helpful too. Good luck! I hope that those guys can be more helpful than me. EDIT: Wow, UALog has a fantastic answer. I'm glad he answered because he doesn't allow people to message him.
2. The job market for Meteorologists is highly competitive. Part of this reason has to do with the national economy at this time. With high unemployment in most job sectors these days, many who had left the job field of meteorology or who were qualified and decided not to take a job in meteorology are now part of this group that you will be competing against for these positions. The rate of jobs that is expected to open up has not significantly changed in the field of meteorology, but the amount of people who are qualified and will bid for an opening has grown. It is the fact that you will be bidding against a much larger pool of applicants is what I think is lately making it so difficult to land an operational or research meteorological positions. Now to answer your questions. Anything you can make yourself more valuable to a potential employer will help your chances. However, their is no one magical pill. The advice from one of your professors was correct in that if you do well and get an minor in GIS, you will likely improve your chances of landing a position in the NWS. However, I will advise you to do some of your own research by contacting more than one source. Since you strongly interested in a position with the NWS, you should considered contacting more than one manager in the NWS. Start by contacting your local NWS and see if you can make a visit or tour of the local office. If you can, try to get an appointment with one of the managers during your visit to discuss some of the questions or concerns you may have. For now, here is a list of a few things that I think can improve your chances of getting into the NWS. 1. Internship or volunteer work or experience with the NWS or other weather related agency or business. 2. Any recent research paper or work that you have done. 3. Strong programming skills...including Python, GIS, Web based computer programming skills, etc. 4. Membership and recent activities associated with the local and/or national chapters of the AMS, NWA, or any other professional meteorological group. 5. Are fluent in any other foreign language, especially in Spanish. 6. Volunteer work, especially those dealing with outreach work or mentoring work and working with the general public. 7. Teaching or training skills. 8. Have the ability and willingness to work weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts. 9. Leadership skills. 10. Can work long hours in a high stress situation. Be positive, but also be wise...Like anybody who is searching for a career job, always have a second or even a third alternate choice career path that you can fall back to if for some reason your first choice does not pan out. Best Wishes!