Atmospheric Scientist

Atmospheric Scientists do a whole lot more than forecast the local weather for the coming week. The field includes the study of long-term climate trends, the mechanics of severe storms, the chemical makeup of the atmosphere, and the formation of clouds and precipitation.

It might all sound a bit lofty, but the work of Atmospheric Scientists has so many practical applications. Studying atmospheric data over years, decades, and centuries, Atmospheric Scientists are able to predict whether a coming season will be colder or warmer than average, and to foresee occurrences like droughts. This information is essential to industries such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, air and sea transportation, and building design.

Your work also helps us understand environmental effects, such as the flow of air pollution from metropolitan and industrial areas, or the quality of remaining sources of fresh water. You might research ozone depletion and global warming—both to determine existing trends and to predict their future impact on life on Earth. The topic might be controversial, but you’ll have scientific data to back you up.

Everybody likes to talk about the weather, and with your expertise you’ll be able to elevate small talk to whole new levels. But beyond being a popular topic of conversation, weather can be a matter of life and death. You may be involved in warning people to evacuate before a hurricane, or discovering dangerous pollutants in our air and water.