How to Become a Meteorologist

There are different paths to become a meteorologist. The one you take depends on what you want to be within the field. The key elements all paths have in common are a four year Bachelor's degree and a certification from the National Weather Association (NWA) or the American Meteorological Society (AMS). Exactly where you earn your degree and what particular courses you take should be determined after having at least a broad sense of your goals in the field. Often times you will not find exactly what you want to specialize in until the later part of completing your degree.

If you want to be on television you should either major or minor in Journalism. Depending on your particular situation you could major in Meteorology and minor in Journalism or vice versa. With some programs it is possible to be certified by the NWA with a minor in Meteorology. This program would be more focused on Operational Forecasting rather than research. It is beneficial to go to a university where it is possible to have on air time at a school news station so you may gain experience before entering the job market.

Another avenue is to become a meteorologist who works for the National Weather Service (NWS), or a private forecasting company. The National Weather Service requires a certification from the AMS. You will need to review the guidelines for being certified by the NWA and the AMS before choosing a school. Both have requirements on what courses you will need to take. The AMS is more physics oriented so you may need to go to a school with an emphasis on Atmospheric Science, as they generally require a hefty dose of physics. Keep in mind that working for the Weather Service means to expect to work where they need you so you may have to move around a bit. You also will likely have to pursue a Master's degree in order to advance in the National Weather Service.

There are many different private sector opportunities for meteorologists. These careers may involve forecasting for trucking companies, commodities traders, or other well known forecasting services like The Weather Channel and AccuWeather. Some meteorologists even make a career of forensic meteorology, which is basically weather analysis for court cases. It is necessary to have at least the National Weather Association certification for these positions. The NWA does is not as physics oriented but leans toward the Operational Forecasting side; these programs are often within the Department of Geography at universities. A Meteorology department within a department of Geography will be focused on climate and short term forecasting. They will have courses that emphasize the connections between meteorology and the land and vice versa. Many schools have storm chase teams, which can be great fun and boost the resume.

After deciding to become a meteorologist you need to determine what you want to do within the field. Be an on air personality, work for the National Weather Service, or a private forecasting company. Of course you can always decide to stay in school and become a professor of Meteorology. This generalized idea of what you want to do with Meteorology should be enough for you to know what school to choose. Once you have gotten close to completing a bachelor's and know what you want to specialize in, it may then be time to choose a Master's degree program and a more precise career path. If you have a passion for weather there could not be a more challenging and rewarding field for you!