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When most people think of meteorology they only think of the people who are on the local news standing in front of a green screen and pointing at maps. But a career in meteorology actually could mean many different types of job. Being a television meteorologist is actually one of the smallest of all the types.
Meteorology is defined by Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meteorology) as “a science that deals with the atmosphere and its phenomena and especially with weather and weather forecasting.”
A career in meteorology can actually be broken down into four categories. These categories are research, weather forecasting, teaching and other applications.
Research
There are many meteorologists researching different patterns and trends that are happening with the condition of the earth. Some of these researchers are trying to help get a handle on Global Warming.
Others might be trying to predict how bad the next hurricane season might be. Still others are researching air quality in certain regions and the role pollutants play with the air quality. Of course this is just a small sampling of the research that’s being conducted every single day.
Forecasting
Weather forecasting is the type of meteorology that people think of when they think of a career in meteorology. Some of these forecasters are on the television or the radio but many of them are not. Many of them are behind the scenes doing their job without the general public ever seeing them. Some forecasters look at the immediate future while others try to look far into the future to determine potential problems with floods, droughts, and storms.
Teaching
As with almost any field, experts are needed to teach others about the field. There is a need for current meteorologists to train and educate future meteorologists. Therefore teaching is a very good career in meteorology. Meteorology is most often taught at four year schools but can be taught at two year schools too.
Other Applications
A whole host of jobs fall under this category. Any job that doesn’t fit in one of the above categories is automatically shoved into this category.
Most of the jobs within this category are usually performed in other industries or as a consultant for private industry. For example, meteorologists help determine where airports should be built and where runways should be placed. They do this by studying weather patterns and determining the safest place for planes to take off and land. Meteorologists also help determine where factories should be built and how, when, and where other types of construction projects should be undertaken.
A career in meteorology usually requires a four year degree but sometimes a meteorologist does only have a two year degree. This career doesn’t necessarily mean standing in front of a camera and explaining tomorrow’s weather. While this is one small facet of meteorology, there are many more jobs within the career. In fact, a career in meteorology can be broken down into four categories: research, forecasting, teaching, and other applications. Within each of these categories there are many jobs that are very rewarding and interesting.
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