Meteorologists study meteorology, which is the study of the atmosphere and the multiple complex forces working together to give an area its weather at a specific period of time. Contrary to popular belief, most meteorologists do not work in television, but are confined to labs, consulting firms, and universities. Only certain people with broadcasting skills can get into television and news meteorology, yet even then, most of them aren't even certified weather forecasters. This field is only for those interested in science, mathematics and geography, thus anybody without an amplitude for such areas of discourse would certainly find this occupation to be rather boring.

These weather scientists take wide ranging data sets of temperature, precipitation, and air pressure, put them through an analysis, and create forecasts of atmosphere's next movements based on those simulations. In the old days, paper and pencil had to be used to plot air currents and trajectories. This practice led to good forecasts, but they came weeks or months after the data were taken, so they were already out-dated. Today, computers do most of the plotting-meteorologists are there to feed in data and help the computer make its assumptions.

A college degree is required for most forecasting and research positions, with a doctorate required for university teaching. A solid background in mathematics, earth science, physics, chemistry and computer science should be sought in high school and during undergraduate studies. Thereafter, specializations in hydro-meteorology, climatology or physical meteorology could be looked into. Upon entering the working world, employers often look for special skills, such as teamwork, map making, and analysis. Besides television forecasting, meteorologists are often found in university labs, working for private industries, or even as airport weather watchers and military spotters.

Being a meteorologist is about more than just liking mathematics or trudging through the science. it is about passion and conviction. It is about loving to study the atmosphere and its phenomenon. Whatever your life was or is like, you can and will not be a good atmospheric scientist if you do not contain a liking for the clouds, the sky and beyond.

Learn more about this author, Jacob Coburn.
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