Meteorology

According to The Good Careers Guide, a meteorologist forecasts the weather and studies the atmosphere to improve the understanding of climate.  Some of the duties of a meteorologist include – 

• Analyzing and interpreting surface, upper-level and other measurements (including satellite images and other remote sensing data about atmospheric conditions)
• Prepare weather forecasts for the public as well as specific users such as aviation, marine, defence and emergency services
• Issue warnings for cyclones, storms, gales, floods, frosts, and fire danger
• Study climate and identify climatic change
• Work with physicists and engineers to develop observation equipment and distribute information on topics such as air pollution

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is the major employer of meteorologists.  A few positions are occasionally available in private companies, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), universities and state or territory government bodies (mainly environmental agencies).  Most meteorologists are employed in capital cities, but some are employed at major airports and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bases outside capital cities and further afield (Antarctica, for meteorological consultants and practitioners who provide a private consultancy service to engineers and architects.

To become a meteorologist, students usually have to study atmospheric science, mathematical and computer sciences, mathematics and statistics, ocean and climate sciences or physics at university.  To get into these courses, students usually need to gain their VCE, and have studied subjects such as English, mathematics, chemistry, biology, earth and environmental science, and physics.  Universities have different prerequisites, so students are encouraged to browse university websites to find out more.  A Bachelor of Science is often the recommended course to get into studies in atmospheric science.