Lecture 13 (12/2) Job Opportunities for Meteorologists

What Can I Do With A Degree? Four main classifications of career opportunities: Applied meteorology (non-media) Non-university Research University Teaching and Research Media Weathercasting

Applied Meteorology Most common career for meteorologists Weather forecasting – most common and well known Forecasting opportunities exist in public, military, private sector (industrial and commercial), and aviation Not typically a 9 to 5 job (shiftwork is required)

Public forecasting NWS-issue watches, warnings, zone forecasts, etc. Good benefits (working for the government) Training programs Potential for advancement if you’re good (and especially if you get a master’s degree)

Military Forecasting All army and air force support is provided by meteorologists in the air force If you might be interested in this, talk to a recruiter (you can enter as an officer with your degree or they will pay $ for your education). Mostly forecast for aviation, but also for army ops, special ops, top secret stuff May involve time away from family and getting assignments rather than deciding your own future Often sent to grad school for a masters

Private Sector Forecasting These places offer detailed, special forecasts to many different types of users Users may include: utility companies, farmers and ranchers, ocean shipping firms and port operators, and highway depts. Usually work for smaller company (usually some shiftwork required but not always)

Aviation Forecasting Larger airlines (passenger and cargo) have their own meteorology departments. But a lot of aviation forecasting is done by the NWS and commercial weather firms. Services provided may include: terminal and en route forecasts, automated computer- generated flight plans, etc.

Consulting You can throw about anything under this category. Almost any type of meteorological service provided to a client. Can deal with specialized environmental services (especially air quality) Development of meteorological software and weather information systems Forensic meteorology (application of meteorological expertise to legal matters and police investigations)

Air Quality Meteorology Booming business and can mean good $ Broad range of technical areas including: environmental assessments and permitting, dispersion modeling (pollutant concentrations), risk assessments, measuring air pollutant concentrations and meteorological parameters, and specialized studies such as photochemical modeling, acid rain, and global warming. Work with polluters to help them follow the federal and state laws. Involves chemistry too

Forensic Meteorology Addresses application of meteorological expertise to legal matters and police investigations May range from people slipping on ice and breaking bones--to robberies or massive car pile ups Lots of other neat stuff possible

Other Applied Metrology Jobs Marketing and sales – a companies revenue may depend a lot on the weather (need to know about more than just the weather) Energy companies & weather derivative trading (involves economics too) Derivative = insurance against something happening like low snow fall in a year at a ski slope, warmer than normal winter for energy companies, or a hard freeze that destroys crops.

A Couple More Atmospheric measurements and instrumentation Deals with developing better weather instruments, manufacturing them, and monitoring them. Software and Information Systems – Develop & maintain metrological software, work with modeling, networks, etc.

Non-university Research Usually requires at least a masters degree No teaching Divided between applied research and basic research Applied research =deals with weather and climate observation, analysis, and forecasting. Research you can apply to everyday activities and operations. Ex: forecast techniques,forecast verification methods, & case studies

Basic Research Addresses more fundamental atmospheric processes Ex: formation of clouds and precipitation, air-sea interactions, radiation budgets, aerosol transport, thermodynamics, and global general circulation. Basic research often support advances in numerical weather prediction models. Still a flood of unanswered questions: effects of Global warming, what makes a thunderstorm tornado, etc.

University Teaching and Research Requires a Ph.D Hold faculty position at university or college Professors usually do research supported by government or foundation grants Most of the research is basic research Meteorology is seldom, if ever, taught as a stand- alone subject at the elementary and secondary school levels. Usually integrated into physical science If you want to teach below the university level, need to be a a physics, earth, or general science teacher

Media Weather Casting Broadcast meteorology Weather casting for television, radio, and newspapers Highest profile of all careers in meteorology Ranges from celebrity-type positions at major networks and cable channels to part-time, relatively obscure jobs at small-market stations. Generally starts small, but can improve rapidly

More on Broadcast Metr A lot of "behind-the-scenes" effort put forth by private meteorological firms (graphics software, other special tools) A strong theoretical background in meteorology is a necessity, forecast experience is highly useful, and computer competence is helpful. Strong communication skills are essential, in terms of both oral and written communication. Can also be a radio broadcast metr (thru phone lines you can get studio quality sound)

Final note on Broadcast Metr Tough business – can succeed fantastically or lose your shirt You’re famous – good and bad Can’t get drunk at the local bar Often go to elementary schools and give talks to the kiddos Salary range 17K to 1 million + You should be able to get a job if you want

So How Much Ya Gonna Pay Me? Starting salaries range from low 20’s to high 20’s (higher with masters or PhD) NWS = advance faster, mid 30’s after a year or two Within 5 to 7 years 40K-70K Many jobs top out in K range

More on the Money Professors make between mid 40’s (assistant) and mid 80’s (full) A master’s or Ph.D. increases your earnings potential Always try to make your credentials better (AMS Seal of Approval, Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM), etc.)

Web sites for job-seekers (bookmark these puppies on your home computer) Nonbroadcast links or or (links to many companies) Broadcast links (you have to pay to post a resume/tape) or If you wanna go to grad schoolhttp://

For next time: Read last chapter (The Future of Earth) Burn your book