Atmospheric Studies

Occupational Possibilities Skills and Abilities Career Planning and Resources	Internships Job Search Professional Associations

 

Occupational Possibilities

Atmospheric science majors possess skills applicable to numerous work settings. While many graduates pursue careers with the National Weather Service or in broadcasting, many other career options are available.

The following list, presents a sampling of such positions that atmospheric science majors sometimes accept. Some of the listed occupations, such as special effects artist, require additional skills, knowledge, or training. Advanced graduate study is generally expected for those positions marked with a * on the list.

Business and Industry Navigation equipment specialist Flight management analyst Special effects artist Sales, technical equipment *Environmental scientist/engineer Agricultural consultant Media specialist	Communications Technical writer Educational television advisor System support representative Information specialist Newspaper science writer Broadcaster,television/radio
Research and Technical *Aerospace engineer Instrument maker Photographer *Research scientist Computer programmer *Optical design specialist Mathematical technician Air traffic controller	Education and Government *Professor National Weather Service forecaster *Special librarian Museum exhibits planner Cartographer Military officer Aquarist

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Skills and Abilities

The study of atmospheric science includes the development of skills in a variety of areas. Technical and communication skills, knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, and physics, and forecasting and expectation are all examples of fields which may be included in an atmospheric science major. The skills listed below are representative of those developed by atmospheric science majors which are transferable to various occupational fields

Technical Defining a research problem Developing a research model Establishing hypotheses Gathering/analyzing data Evaluating ideas Seeing relationships among factors Drawing meaningful conclusions Projecting outcomes based on data	Investigation Defining a research problem Developing a research model Establishing hypotheses Gathering/analyzing data Seeing relationships among factors Drawing meaningful conclusions
Communication Developing and writing research proposals Reviewing technical literature Summarizing research findings Informing/explaining/instructing Preparing technical reports Public speaking	Computation and Mathematical Measuring distances/sizes/relationships Performing calculations Mathematical modeling Maintaining records Utilizing mathematical formulas

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Career Planning and Resources

• Science Careers
• Careers in Meteorology - from the American Meteorological Society
• Information on careers in meteorology - from the Navy
• Careers in Meteorology - from the Royal Meteorological Society

Internships

• Internship postings - from Penn State University
• Weather Research Center Internships
• WKRG, Mobile, Alabama Meteorology Broadcasting Internships

Job Search

• Meteorology job postings - from Penn State University
• Search meteorology jobs - database from meteorologyjobs.com
• American Meteorological Society search vacancies- entry-level to advanced
• National Weather Association Job Corner
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association - US Department of Commerce
• Meteorological Employment Journal - search jobs from this on-line database

 

Professional Associations

• Comprehensive listing of links to Meteorology-related associations
• American Meteorological Society
• Weather Modification Association
• American Astronomical Society
• The Astrophysical Journal
• American Institute of Physics
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association - US Department of Commerce
• National Weather Association: a professional nonprofit association that serves individuals interested in operational meteorology and related activities

 

For More Information

...about careers, graduate and professional schools, internships, professional associations, or job descriptions contact:

University Career Center
110 Burge Union
(785) 864-3624

For information about majors and concentrations in atmospheric science:

Atmospheric Science-Physics and Astronomy Department
6072 Malott Hall
(785) 864-3408 or (785) 864-4626 (Department office)

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