Career Opportunities for Majors in Meteorology

Introduction

The Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology focuses on the study of weather and climate as well as extensive preparation in environmental sciences. Students learn about weather systems, the atmosphere, climate issues, ocean dynamics, and forecasting. Students may become involved with research, utilize micrometeorological observing stations, and use state-of-the-art computer workstations dedicated to monitoring meteorological issues.
This meteorology program offers all the US federal government civil service requirements for classification as a meteorologist. Graduates of the program have the opportunity to pursue different career paths, including meteorology or environmental science, for employment in government, education, or private industry. Graduates have a firm foundation in order to pursue graduate study.

Although most graduates will find work in a related field, some may choose a career that does not require this specific major, but rather a wide range of demonstrated skills and accomplishments. Regardless of your career choice, increase your marketability to employers through internships, responsible work experience, good grades, and involvement in college activities.

A Sample of Related Occupations

Air Quality Engineer	Environmental Impact Analyst	Oceanographer
Astronomer	Environmental Lawyer	Physicist
Atmospheric Scientist	Environmental Manager	Research Scientist
Climatologist	Geoscientist	Risk Manager
Ecologist	Hydrologist	Safety Engineer
Envir. Protection Specialist	Lobbyist	Science Librarian
Environmental Affairs Mgr	Meteorologist	Technical Sales Rep
Environmental Consultant	Natural Resource Manager	Technical Writer
Environmental Educator	Naturalist	Water Quality Specialist
Environmental Engineer

Types of Employers

Private & Nonprofit Organizations
Agricultural firms	Environmental public relations firms	Research & testing firms
Air carriers	Environmental research organizations	Research organizations
Commodities firms	Insurance companies	Scientific journals
Environmental advocacy groups	Private consulting firms	Testing labs
Environmental consulting firms	Private weather forecasters	Universities/Colleges
Environmental education centers	Radio and television stations

Government Agencies
Air Force	Mount Washington Observatory	Peace Corps/Americorps
Bureau of Land Management	National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)	Public Health Service
Bureau of Reclamation	National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)	Soil Conservation Service
Department of Agriculture	National Science Foundation	U.S. Coast Guard
Department of Defense	Navy	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Department of Energy	NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Forest Service	Occupational Safety & Health Admin.	U.S. Geological Survey

Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates

(Many of these jobs come after additional education resulting in a master’s or doctoral degree.)
Administrator Asst., NNJAC-Raritan District UMC	Meteorologist, United States Army CHPPM
Airman, U.S. Coast Guard	Meteorologist, U.S. Dept. Commerce/NOAA/ERL/GFDL
Air Quality Consultant, ENSR Engineering	Meteorologist, WBAL-TV, Baltimore, MD
Assoc. Environmental Scientist, Environ Int'l. Corp.	Meteorologist, Weather Channel & Weather.com
Atmospheric Perils Meteorologist, SwissRe Insurance Company	Meteorologist, WHDH-TV Boston Television
Atmospheric Scientist, Versar, Inc.	Meteorologist, WKTV-TV, Utica, NY
Attorney, Pitney, Hardin, Kipp and Szuch (JD)	Meteorologist, Woodward-Clyde Consultants
Cabin Service Crew, Continental Airlines	National Account Manager, IBM Corporation
Commander, USAF - 7th Weather Squadron	Naval Aviator, United States Navy
Curator, National Air & Space Museum	PC Systems Consultant, Clancy Paul Computers
Deputy Commander, US Air Force Combat Climatology Center	Physical Scientist, NOAA/Satellite Research Laboratory
Director, NJ Dept. of Agriculture	Pilot, USAF
Environ. Lawyer, Maine Dept. of Transportation (JD)	Principal Consultant, CJZ Associates
Fighter Pilot, US Navy	Professor, Cornell University
Flight Attendant, Continental Airlines	Professor, Rutgers University
Head-Air Toxic Section, Maine, D.E.P.A.	Professor, University of South Alabama
Hydrogeologist, Safety-Kleen Consulting	Project Scientist, All4 Consulting
Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey (PhD Envir. Engr.)	Programmer, Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission
Manager, Accenture Foundation, Inc.	Project Scientist, All4 Consulting
Manager, Air Quality Department, Roy F. Weston, Inc.	Radio Broadcast Meteorologist, The Weather Channel (MS Earth Science)
Meteorological Developer, Weather Underground TV	Research and Development, AT&T
Meteorologist, Accuweather, Inc.	Research Meteorologist, Penn State (PhD)
Meteorologist, Air Force Research Laboratory	Science Teacher, West Essex Regional High School
Meteorologist, California Edison (Energy Forecasting)	Science Instructor, Sanborne NH Regional High School
Meteorologist, Constellation Energy (Energy Trading)	Senior AE, AT&T
Meteorologist, ENSR Corporation	Senior Manager, Business Solutions, The Gap, Inc.
Meteorologist, MDA Federal Inc.	Sr. Member Tech. Staff, Science Systems & Applications Inc.
Meteorologist, National Weather Service	Sr. Research Assoc., Northeast Reg. Climate Center
Meteorologist, NBC	Systems Analyst, Johnson & Johnson
Meteorologist, NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory	Systems Engineer, O.A.O. Corp.
Meteorologist, NOAA Headquarters	Teacher of Science, West Essex High School
Meteorologist, SDI Weather Trends Inc.	Utica Weather Observer, Mount Washington Observatory
Meteorologist, Unisys Corp.	Weather Officer, U.S. Air Force

Graduate Schools Attended

Columbia University	University at Albany – SUNY
Florida State University	University of California – Santa Cruz
Georgia Institute of Technology	University of Colorado
Pennsylvania State University	University of Maryland
Rutgers University	University of Washington

Additionally, you may:

Explore the career paths of RU Alumni Career Network mentors.
Go to the Rutgers Online Career Planning Site to explore your interests, skills and values. Use the program for either: High School Students | College Students.
Explore Rutgers University academic department information related to this major.
See the Occupational Outlook Handbook for additional career information.
Pick up your "Career Opportunities" handouts at any New Brunswick Career Services office.

Still Have Questions? Ask a Career Counselor.