A climatologist or climate scientist studies long-term atmospheric and weather changes. A person who wants to work as a climate scientist must first earn an undergraduate degree in a science-related field, and in some cases, an advanced degree. People working in this field may also be required to take courses offered industry associations or government-backed organizations.
Many employers prefer applicants for climatology positions to have studied meteorology, atmospheric sciences, or related topics in college, though some organizations will accept applications from students whose primary focus was another branch of mathematics or science. To be accepted into one of these undergraduate programs, a student interested in becoming a climate scientist must typically have above-average grades in physics, chemistry, and mathematics in high school. People who work in this field use computer software to create weather maps and forecasts, so anyone interested in becoming a climate scientist should take a college level computer science or technology class.
Climate scientists are employed in large numbers government agencies and educational institutions, and they are responsible for researching climate change and weather systems that may have an impact on crops, coastal communities, and other industries and communities over time. To fill these research positions, many employers prefer to hire people who have completed doctoral or doctoral programs. While some employers accept applicants who have completed meteorology PhD programs, others prefer applicants who have completed a postgraduate course in a specific aspect of the science, such as hydrometeorology or oceanography. A college graduate may be able to work as an assistant climate scientist while pursuing a doctorate degree in some cases.
Many countries have professional meteorology associations, which offer courses and certification programs to prepare people for careers in this field. In many cases, someone interested in becoming a climate scientist must first gain some work experience in the field of meteorology before enrolling in one of these sessions. Many certification courses are also only open to people who have completed postgraduate degree programs in climatology or a related field. After completing the certification process, an individual may be required to attend continuing education classes on a regular basis to keep the certificate active.
Some students participate in internship programs before graduating from college, allowing them to shadow professionals in the field. Internships are usually unpaid, and they take place during the breaks between academic semesters. Students who perform well as interns are frequently given conditional job offers that are contingent on them finishing their college degrees.