Additional Information
A bachelor's degree with a major in meteorology (or a closely related field
like atmospheric sciences, climatology or hydrology) is the typical minimum
requirement for beginning work as a meteorologist. Courses taken should include
weather analysis and forecasting, dynamic meteorology, calculus and physics.
"Remember, this is a science," says Doug Steyn. He leads a university atmospheric
science program. "Anyone thinking of meteorology as a career should like working
in the areas of math, physics and computers."
Those in the field say getting a graduate degree, like a master's or PhD,
will increase your chance of getting a job and being promoted. Research and
teaching positions require a graduate degree.
Most meteorological programs are offered through a university's department
of atmospheric science. Check with each university to find out the name of
the department handling meteorology.
Once you've become a meteorologist, "be prepared to think, be prepared
to be wrong a lot, and be prepared to hear about it from the average John
Doe on the street," says meteorologist Jim Loznicka.