Careers in ATMOS
There are many different career paths that can be followed in atmospheric and climate science. Below is information on possible career paths for each of our undergraduate degree tracks as well as some useful links. In addition to the listings below, our graduates gain many cross-over skills relevant to other industries including programming and the ability to analyze large data sets. Our graduates also acquire a great background for teaching in the earth sciences.
Option 1: Meteorology
- Broadcast meteorology
- Meteorologist for the National Weather Service
- Research positions at NOAA, NASA, DoE, DoD, DoA
- Weather analyst for industry, commerce, airlines, government, alternative energy companies
- Military weather officer
- Renewable Energy Siting and Forecasting
- Private weather prediction firms
- Airline/Boeing Meteorologists
- Graduate school => Research
- AMS Career Guide for Atmospheric Scientists
- WOIS – Meteorologists (pdf) Occupational summary, including typical skills, abilities, wages, etc. plus additional informational resources
Option 2: Climate
- Analyst for environmental impact studies
- Climate Positions in State and Local Governments (many have sustainability positions, climate positions)
- Climate/weather derivatives — taking seasonal prediction information and using it for business
- Reinsurance industry (risk management for natural disasters)
- Climate observations/monitoring — jobs with NASA, USGS, NOAA
- Alternative energy companies (e.g., wind power, solar power analysis)
- Graduate school => Research
Option 3: Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Quality
- Air Quality Forecasting and Monitoring for regional (e.g. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency), state (e.g. Department of Ecology Air Quality Program), and federal governments (e.g. EPA)
- Air Quality Consulting
- Environmental Consulting
- Analytical Instrumentation, sales, marketing, and R&D; there are small businesses that cater to air quality monitoring, but also opportunities at larger companies that are selling tools for Environmental Monitoring generally.
- Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) – e.g. Clean Air Task Force
- Graduate school => Research
Option 4: Data Science
- Data scientist in weather, climate, and air quality in the private and government sectors