Pursuing a Career (in Meteorology?)
What are your career goals?
How do you plan to achieve those goals?
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
Pursuing a Career (in Meteorology?)
Possible careers with a B.S. in Meteorology:
• Broadcast Meteorology
• Forecaster at local or regional NOAA office (e.g., NWS-GSP)
• Forecaster at a private firm (e.g., insurance companies)
• Forensic Meteorology
• Air quality monitoring
• Environmental assessment
• Teaching science (at the K-12 level)
• Others ???
Careers requiring an advanced degree (you must go to graduate school):
• Research
• Teaching (at colleges and universities)
• Manager at a local or regional NOAA office (e.g., NWS-GSP)
• Forecaster at a specialized national NOAA office (e.g., SPC or NHC)
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
Pursuing a Career (in Meteorology?)
Realities about Jobs:
• You will NOT immediately get your ideal job
• You may have to move across the country (i.e., “pay your dues”)
• Broadcast meteorology positions require a “tape”
• The economy has been in a slump
• You will be competing against over 600 students who also earn
a B.S. Meteorology degree this year alone
• When you apply for a job you need to be a “top candidate”
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
Pursuing a Career (in Meteorology?)
Realities about Graduate Schools:
• Graduate schools have very high standards (high GPA / GREs are required)
• You have to have similar research interests with a professor willing to take on
a new graduate student
• The economy has been in a slump (less state funding)
• You will be competing against over 400 students who also earn
a B.S. Meteorology degree this year alone
• When you apply to a graduate school you need to be a “top candidate”
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
How do you become a “top candidate”?
Know what application materials will be requested:
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Interest (career goals, interest in the current position)
• Transcripts (courses, GPA)
• Standardized test scores (the GRE)
• Letters of recommendation (VERY IMPORTANT!)
• Previous work/research experience
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
How do you become a “top candidate”?
Tailor your application materials for each job/school:
• Organize your resume or curriculum vitae to emphasize your uniqueness
• Develop a Statement of Interest consistent with the job description
• Select your references wisely **
• Highlight previous relevant work/research experience
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
Standard Questions answered by References
Do you need to
“improve” in
certain areas?
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
Do you need to
“improve” in
certain areas?
YES
(we ALL do!)
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
Why are those questions “standard”?
Top 10 reasons college graduates are fired from their first job:
1. Lack of work ethic/commitment
2. Unethical behavior
3. Failure to follow instructions
4. In-effective in teams
5. Failure to take initiative
6. Missing assignments/deadlines
7. Unable to communicate effectively—verbally
8. Inappropriate use of technology
9. Being late for work
10. Unable to communicate effectively—writing
Gardner (2007) - Journal of Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
Why are those questions “standard”?
Required Skills for Commercial (TV), Government (NWS), and Public-Sector Forecasting:
1. Communication skills, especially the ability to provide concise, customer-focused briefings, and
writing ability (from social media (Twitter) to in-depth research articles and reports).
2. Emotional maturity, specifically, the ability to work with people from all walks of life, not take
criticism personally, and have intense focus on filling the needs of clients.
3. Flexibility, in hours of work, working environment, ability to learn new skills, ability to adapt
knowledge to new problems, and speed in identifying problems and implementing solutions.
4. Leadership, namely taking responsibility for solving a problem and perseverance in seeing it
solved.
5. Knowing how to solve new problems instead of re-inventing solutions.
6. Computer, statistics, graphic design, and other skills to multiply one's effort into a superior
product.
NOTE: I did not mention meteorology. I've seen too many people over the years get locked into the
notion that a particular course or degree prepares them for the rest of their lives. While that knowledge is
why someone may be initially hired (after all, employers are looking for meteorologists, not biologists or
mathematicians), continuing one’s productivity depends on Skills 1-6 above.
Jon Zeitler (2012) – Science Operations Office (SOO) – NWS, San Antonio, TX
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
How do you become a “top candidate”
While you can, take advantage of what UNCC has to offer…
• Become a “professional” student!
• Begin the transition from a student approach to a professional approach
• Accept the fact that you need to “adapt” and “improve”
• Listen to your professors!
• Begin looking for jobs (start outside Room 203…)
• Visit the UNCC Career Center (150 Atkins Library)
• Visit NinerJobNet (http://career.uncc.edu/)
• Develop a resume
• Develop a statement of your short term and long-term career goals
• Work with UNCC Career Center (revise resumes, mock interviews, etc.)
• Begin looking into graduate schools
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
How do you become a “top candidate”
While you can, take advantage of what UNCC has to offer…
• Participate in the National Forecasting Contest (WX-Challenge)
• Join STORM and become an active member
• Join CoCoRaHS and become a weather observer (see me for details…)
• Become a student member of the AMS
• Attend departmental seminars
• Attend the 2014 AMS Student Conference and Career Fair
(in Atlanta, February 1-2, 2014)
• Pursue internships or undergraduate research opportunities
• Expand your professional contacts
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
Graduate Schools
How to improve your chances at being accepted…
• Know what broad topic you want to study/research
• Apply to numerous schools (…at least 5)
• Be realistic about the schools you apply
• Not every gets accepted to the “best” school
• It is more important to get accepted to a school
• Contact potential research advisors before you apply
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
Graduate Schools
How to improve your chances at being accepted…
• Take the GRE multiple times (…at least twice)
• Work with the UNCC Career Center to develop a strong
and effective personal statement
• Provide a complete application package
• Submit the application package on time
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
Graduate Schools
How to improve your chances at being accepted…
• Request your recommendation letters well in advance (at least one month!)
• Don’t restrict yourself to certain locations or geographic regions
• Review your financial situation…Would you require an assistantship?
• Take extra courses at UNCC!
• The four-year plan outlines the minimum requirements
• Top candidates always take many extra electives
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
Graduate Schools
What are graduate schools and/or graduate advisors looking for?
• Students who:
• Demonstrate a mature professional attitude
• Willing to work hard without close supervision
• Demonstrate good oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrate exceptional scholarship
• Similar research interests
• Exceptional letters of recommendation
• Previous research / internship / work experience
• High GPA and GRE scores
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin
Pursuing a Career (in Meteorology?)
What questions do you have?
Do not hesitate to ask!!!
Meteorology Careers
M. D. Eastin