A team of scientists responsible for producing weather reports is led by a chief meteorologist. To become a chief meteorologist, a person must typically graduate from high school and complete an undergraduate degree program. Many employers require applicants for these positions to have completed a postgraduate degree, and anyone aspiring to be a chief meteorologist must have some prior industry-related experience in addition to academic credentials.
Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and the weather systems of the Earth. Many universities offer undergraduate meteorology programs, though some meteorologists also pursue other climate-related degrees such as climatology or atmospheric science. People in this field are typically employed by television networks and government agencies, among other places. A bachelor’s degree can often get you a junior level job, but if you want to be a chief meteorologist, you’ll need a master’s or doctorate degree in a science-related field. Typically, aspiring chief meteorologists enroll in postgraduate programs focused on a specific area of meteorology, such as marine atmospherics or oceanography.
While graduates can find work in weather-related fields, some employers prefer to hire people who have already had some hands-on experience. Doctorate degree students usually gain some hands-on experience because the colleges that run these programs usually arrange for students to work at local weather stations or government offices where scientists are working on climate change research. Others gain experience while still in school, thanks to summer internships offered by television networks and other organizations. Students can work under the supervision of trained climatologists or weather experts during these sessions, and some internships lead to permanent job offers.
In many cases, anyone aspiring to be a chief meteorologist must have worked as a junior member of a weather team for a certain number of years. These workers may be in charge of preparing weather reports or broadcasting forecasts on the radio or television. When preparing these reports, weather team members use a variety of equipment, including satellite monitoring systems, and an applicant for the position of chief must have a thorough understanding of these systems and processes. Applicants for chief meteorologist positions must possess certain qualities, such as strong leadership and organizational abilities.