Meteorologist Education Requirements

Meteorology is a pretty intriguing science which studies one of the forces of nature that man is still trying hard to wrap his head around - the weather. While the 'weatherman' may be derided the world over for being grossly inaccurate, one needs to appreciate that meteorology is a tough science. You know what they say - it is not too easy to know which way the wind blows. Meteorology is a pretty tough science and if you are exploring a career opportunity as a meteorologist, you ought to equip yourself with the right knowledge and aptitude that most paymasters in this field ask for.

A Meteorologist's Education

Statistics say that the biggest employer in the field of meteorology is the government, given that approximately 4 out of 10 meteorologists work for the government. So when the government looks through the resumes of aspiring meteorologists, these are the education requirements for meteorologists that they look for.

Well for starters, you need to have taken math and science at school and have a keen interest in computers if you ever want to even flock around a career in meteorology. The basic requirements are proper education till the bachelor's degree. While doing your bachelors in meteorology will 'meteorically' increase your chances of employment in this field, bachelors in related fields such as physics, earth science, geography, and geophysics are also welcome to apply as they too deal with this field. But if you're from one of these related fields, it is in your best interest that you take extra courses in meteorology, analysis and prediction of weather and remote sensing of atmosphere so that you are well-acquainted with the basic concepts governing the field of meteorology. All these will help you trump the job interview!

Of course, if you aspire to work at a high position, especially in a research capacity, then a PhD will help your cause.

Job Description

The word 'weatherman' is pretty incorrect in summing up the functions of the meteorologist. To put it simply, meteorology is the study of the atmosphere which envelops our planet and how the different changes in the atmosphere will lead to climatic changes on earth.

Going further in detail, meteorologists have to monitor satellite images and try to understand the physical characteristics, motions and processes of the atmosphere which helps them 'predict' the weather. Their job involves predicting the weather over the long-term and the short-term as well as providing localized information about the weather conditions in a particular region. Their job involves extensive use of computer mapping techniques to understand what factors currently affect the atmosphere and what will be the result of this effect on it. The job of the meteorologist is more crucial from the point of view of sailors, fishermen, air carriers and farmers, as all their occupations are directly related to the findings of the meteorologist.

Amongst other things, the job of a meteorologist can be very demanding and they often have to work odd hours and on all seven days of the week.

But for the work they put in, for the seemingly impossible task of getting the weather forecast right, meteorologists do get a pretty good package. The annual compensation was said to be somewhere in the region of $82,080 annually in 2008. Equip yourself with your degrees and knowledge and you will no doubt be able to foray into this interesting science of weather prediction.