Meteorologist or physical oceanographer By: Violet Williamson Career Research Meteorologist or physical oceanographer By: Violet Williamson

A day in my future life Meteorologist Oceanographer I wake up and head to work where I set up the weather software and analyze the atmosphere to see what the weeks forecast will be Plot the information onto a map and charts. Broadcast the weeks and todays weather. Update that nights weather. Head home. I wake up and head off to work. Go scuba diving and collect data. Mix chemical solutions and analyze my samples. Write up results found in my data. Attend another professors lecture about their research. Wrap up my experiments Head home •Delivering reports on current weather conditions and forecasts to a television or radio audience •Reporting on weather or environmental events, for example blizzards, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, forest fires and eclipses, from remote locations •Creating maps and graphics to illustrate weather conditions •Issuing warnings about impending severe weather conditions

Working conditions Meteorologist Oceanographer Employed by governments, colleges, and professional, scientific, or technical service companies Most work in offices, however some may be located in remote areas Fieldwork may require travel Most work a 5-day, 40-hour week, but overtime is sometimes necessary Others work shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays Employed by colleges, governments, and private companies Work indoors in labs and offices, and outdoors in the field May spend up to 3 months of the year at sea The work can be stressful Hours vary depending on where they work

Skills needed Meteorologist Oceanographer Research skills Math and computer skills Communication skills Analytical Creative Courses in journalism are helpful for broadcast meteorologists Research skills Able to work independently and as part of a team Curious and creative Self-motivated Scuba diving training and experience is helpful Computer skills

Interview Q&A Meteorologist- Tsoi Oceanographer- Lisa What personal characteristics are required for someone to be successful in your job? “Meteorologists must be well-organized to analyze large amounts of data in a short span of time. We must be hard-working because we often do shift work and have to continually educate ourselves on new scientific and technological advancements. It’s also important to be imaginative in order to visualize 2D data and create 3D effects to analyze the data.” What are the biggest challenges in your job? “The most challenging aspect of my job is using my education, experience, and imagination to visualize what the future of meteorology will be. This is essential because I work so closely with new technologies and methods of forecasting. I have to stay on top of all new developments.” Are there many opportunities in your field? What should people do to get started? “There are opportunities, but you have to have good academic credentials. At minimum, you should obtain a bachelor’s degree in meteorology or math and physics. A master’s degree in atmospheric physics would also be useful.” What personal characteristics are required for someone to be successful in your job? “You need to have a strong interest in science. But don’t limit yourself. It helps to have a multidisciplinary background and education.” What are the biggest challenges in your job? “The biggest challenge has to be securing research funding. Currently, less than 20% of all proposals that are presented to national funding agencies receive funding. The competition is stiff. As faculty members, we are judged, in part, by our ability to obtain external funding.” Are there many opportunities in your field? What should people do to get started? “There is some demand, but it is not great. Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree, in the top 10% to 15% of their class, will probably find jobs.” Educational portal.com

Interview Q&A continued Oceanographer Meteorologist Tell me about your job. Is what you do different in any way from what others in your occupation do? “I am a chemical oceanographer, which means I am primarily concerned with chemical processes in the ocean. There are two general types of chemical oceanographers: those interested in organic chemistry and those, like myself, who study inorganic constituents in the ocean, such as water, salt, or sand. A big part of the research I do consists of gathering and analyzing water and sediment samples. As a professor at a college, I have to divide my time between research and teaching oceanography to students.” Can you tell me about your background and how you got into this field? “I grew up near the ocean and have always loved it—becoming an oceanographer seemed only natural. So in high school I simply sought the necessary education and applied for oceanographic jobs. I received my Bachelor of Science degree from a large college on the west coast and my master’s degree and PhD from a college on the east coast. Not many colleges specifically teach oceanography, so I had to pick my schools carefully.” Tell me about your job. Is what you do different in any way from what others in your occupation do? “Meteorologists analyze weather data to forecast the next day’s weather. We analyze data from satellite 3D maps, translate scientific findings into terms people can understand, and announce the weather on news TV and radio stations. We also do application research such as testing and applying new theories developed by scientists. My job is a specialty within meteorology. I evaluate technology and techniques to see which provide the best results for the best price. I then prepare a purchasing request and buy the equipment for meteorological centers” Can you tell me about your background and how you got into this field? “I grew up in Hong Kong where there are typhoons every year. I was fascinated by them when I was young, and by age ten I knew I wanted to be a meteorologist. I wanted to know what caused the typhoons and be able to predict when they would hit. I moved to North America to study physics in college. I completed a master’s degree, and afterwards found a job with the government weather service.”

Education, certification Meteorologist Oceanographer 4 year college or university degree in atmospheric science/meteorology Atmospheric science course Calculus Physics Chemistry Environmental topic Computer and basic classes 4 year college or university Biology Oceanography Chemistry Physics Mathematics Computer Science

Training Meteorologist Oceanographer mathematical modelling graphics presentation skills. Scuba diving On site job training

Outlook Meteorologist Oceanographer Atmospheric scientists employment is growing. It is predicted that meteorologists will face tough competition especially for jobs with more visibility. The demand for environmental protection and water management is increasing Jobs for geoscientists are expected to grow by 21% between 2012 and 2022

Salary Meteorologist Oceanographer $41K-127K $40K-150K

Specialty careers Meteorologist Oceanographer Red= field I want Meteorologist Oceanographer There are 4 types of Meteorologists: Micro scale- atmospheric phenomena such as thunderstorms, and clouds Meso scale- atmospheric phenomena such as thunderstorms, cyclones and fronts Synoptic scale- large area dynamics such as extra tropical cyclones, frontal zones and jet streams. Global- heat to the poles also known as climatology. There are 4 types of oceanographers: Geological- structure of the sea floor Chemical- chemical composition and properties of water Physical- waves, tides, atmosphere Biological- ocean life

Related careers Meteorologist Oceanographer Climatology Cloud physics Aeronomy Oceanography ocean engineering marine archaeology marine policy

Advancement Meteorologist Oceanographer

Why am I interested? Meteorologist Oceanographer When I was a kid my favorite movie was Twister ever since I’ve wanted a job to do with storms. I find clouds and severe weather fascinating. I like to observe things and find out why it happens I like to physically analyze information. I want a job that travels. I've always been in love with anything that has to do with water including: swimming, scuba diving, boats and many other water sports. I like storms and danger, being a oceanographer I can study storms of the water. I want a job that travels.

Top colleges (out-of-state tuition) Per semester Meteorologist Oceanographer Pennsylvania state university- $30,452 Texas A&M- $36,878 University of Oklahoma- $19,530 University of Washington- $27,112 University of Miami- $44,350 Texas A&M- $36,878 University of Wisconsin- $26,660 Pennsylvania state university- $30,452 University of Michigan- $41,811 University of Washington- $27,112

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