Meteorologists Career Description
The majority of meteorologists and atmospheric scientists are employed by institutions dealing with weather and climate of which the South African Weather Bureau is the largest. Weather and climate play a fundamental role in people's lives. They may well decide whether mankind survives or not. Great concern exists that the activities of mankind may irreversibly change the weather and climate. Daily activities ranging from agriculture through travel to sport depend on the weather.
Meteorologists may become weather forecasters, researchers, climatologists, consultants, lecturers and managers.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Forecaster
The Central Forecasting Office receives weather data from around the globe. It is the duty of the forecaster to analyze this data. To predict the weather the meteorologist uses models running on the most powerful computers. All the weather forecasters' ingenuity is required for this task.
Researcher
In order to maintain effective and improved services meteorologists need to research all aspects of the weather and climate.
Climatologist
The large volume of data gathered by the Weather Bureau and others must be maintained in an effective databank. This important service is managed by the climatologist. Climate research to predict climate change on the seasonal scale has become increasingly important. This service is provided by the Weather Bureau, several universities and research organisations.
Consultants
A few meteorologists operate as consultants in the private sector, as well as via the universities. They usually provide specialised research services.
Managers
Many meteorologists eventually become managers.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Candidates must have a hunger to understand how the physical world and especially the atmosphere and oceans work.
Where can I work?
Meteorologists are employed by the Weather Bureau (Department of Environment Affairs & Tourism), the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a few universities and agricultural institutions.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Most meteorologists are employed by institutions. In the USA there are private companies and consultants that make a living on the manipulation and distribution of weather data. Although there are a few private meteorological consultants in South Africa, this market has to be created. A person with extensive knowledge and experience on the subject of meteorology may attempt to write books on the subject.
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