Fascinated by the weather, why not become a meteorologist

Meteorologists study the atmosphere to predict changes and patterns in our weather and climate cycles. They are in demand on a wide range of projects, anything from long term climate studies based in the Antarctic to 24 hour weather forecasts for your local radio station. The job is extremely interesting and challenging with numerous possibilities to work on contracts based around the world. Meteorologists are also employed by a diverse group of industries from governments and militaries to universities and broadcasting companies.

The work tends to be quite theoretical and uses complex computer models to predict and map weather patterns. Therefore you need to be someone with strong computer skills or the desire to attain those specialist skills. There is also a need for constant monitoring of weather stations and the collecting of samples to construct the models. You should be a person who enjoys the challenge of work outside in all weathers as much as time spent in the lab analysing results. The job also requires that you constantly stay abreast of new techniques and the latest research.

So is becoming a meteorologist a good career for you?
From a careers perspective, meteorology offers a challenging, rewarding and secure future. It was ranked 13th by the Jobs Rated Almanac based on factors such as employment outlook, stress, money, physical demands and money.

Whether it's the right career for you depends on your own personal interests. Do you enjoy science, maths and computers? Are you interested in how science impacts the natural world around you? Are you interested to learn about weather patterns, hurricanes, avalanches and global warming? Do you enjoy field based work? Have you got an analytical mind? If you answered yes to most of the above then perhaps a career in meteorology could be a great option for you.

Training & Jobs
To enter into this industry most meteorologists attend university and study a first degree in subjects such as meteorology, mathematics, physics, computer science, oceanography or physical science. From there, graduate employment schemes will offer on the job training to equip students with the relevant skills to succeed in this industry.

In the UK, the Met Office is the biggest employer of meteorologists with a starting salary of around £19,000 a year for graduates, which can rise to over £60,000 a year with experience. In America, the National Weather Service employs a large percentage of meteorologists. College graduates with no experience start on around $34,000 a year while applicants with a Ph.D. can expect to earn around $70,000 a year. Again, with experience your salary will increase, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a meteorologist in 2009 was $85,160. Your pay rate can also vastly increase if you are happy to work offshore in remote corners of the world.

However, it's not all about the money; most people who work as a meteorologist love their industry and would never choose to do anything else. If you are passionate about your work and see every day as a new challenge then the great pay becomes simply an added bonus to an all round fantastic career.