Career Guide for Meteorology Studies

Meteorology is the study of Earth’s atmospheric interactions with its surface causing different climatic and weather conditions. It is a branch of Earth Science, mainly focusing on weather processes and forecasting. The aggravation in the environmental hazards such as global warming, forest cover reduction, erosion etc. has created a demand for researchers in this field. A number of technical institutes and various universities of the country have reacted sharply by providing various courses in Meteorology, creating a new scope for this field. Meteorology is a rare field of science; hence there are few people who opt for this course. However, the career is challenging and sufficing.

Courses & Eligibility:

A student desirous of making a career in Meteorology or Atmospheric Science may opt for an undergraduate course i.e. B.Sc. or B.Tech soon after the completion of his/her +2 in Science stream.

A Master’s program i.e. M.Sc or M.Tech can usually be completed in two years after the Bachelor’s degree. The requirement for admission to this program is usually an undergraduate degree in meteorology, physics, engineering, or related disciplines. Ph.D degree is recommended for students who wish to dabble in research work. The minimum education qualification for this is a Master’s degree in relevant field.

Career Prospects:

The Meteorological institutes, Research institutes and Environment regulatory bodies provide a sea of opportunities for candidates in this field. In India, agriculture is deemed as the backbone of the country and agriculture depends on the precipitation. In this case, the job of a meteorologist is vital. The job providers in India are mainly research institutes such as:

• Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science
• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
• Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research
• Indian Space Research Organization

There are also a number of jobs in the educational sector where meteorological experts are appointed as teachers and professors. There are good opportunities for overseas assignment to military bases and outposts throughout the world. Space application centers also recruit meteorologists as the launching of satellites depend on weather conditions. Some private companies also recruit atmospheric scientists for environmental pollution control.

Remuneration:

Salary of a meteorologist/scientist depends on his qualification and experience. The Indian Government offers plausible salary to qualified meteorologists/scientists. It varies between Rs 10, 000 – 25, 000. Salary cannot become a factor abroad as in the US the annual package may vary between $19,081 and $69,300.