9781422270004

Cool Careers in Science

3–D PRINTING SPECIALISTS ALTERNATIVE REALITY DEVELOPERS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SCIENTISTS BIG DATA SPECIALISTS COMPUTER GAME & APP DEVELOPERS DRIVERLESS VEHICLE DEVELOPERS DRONE PILOTS

ENTERTAINMENT ENGINEERS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS FOOD SCIENTISTS

FORENSIC SCIENTISTS GENETICS ENGINEERS GEOSCIENTISTS METEOROLOGISTS PROFESSIONAL HACKERS RENEWABLE ENERGY WORKERS ROBOTICS DEVELOPERS SPACE SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS VISUAL EFFECTS ARTISTS

Cool Careers in Science

ANDREW MORKES

MASON CREST MIAMI

PO Box 221876, Hollywood, FL 33022 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll-free) • www.masoncrest.com

Copyright © 2024 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Series ISBN: 978-1-4222-4818-8 Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4222-4821-8 ebook ISBN: 978-1-4222-7000-4 Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file with the Library of Congress Developed and Produced by National Highlights, Inc. Project Manager: Andrew Morkes Cover and Interior Design: Tara Raymo • CreativelyTara Layout: Priceless Digital Media, LLC Publisher’s Note: Websites listed in this book were active at the time of publication. The publisher is not responsible for websites that have changed their address or discontinued operation since the date of publication. The publisher reviews and updates the websites each time the book is reprinted.

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Table of Contents

CHAPTER 5: The Future of Meteorology and Careers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Photo Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Further Reading & Internet Resources . . 93 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Educational Video Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Author Biography 96

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 CHAPTER 1: What Do Meteorologists Do? . . 11 CHAPTER 2: Terms of the Trade . . . . . . . 32 CHAPTER 3: Preparing for the Field and Making a Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 CHAPTER 4: Key Skills and Methods of Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

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Introduction

CAREERS IN SCIENCE OFFER GOOD PAY, THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP PEOPLE, AND OTHER REWARDS

Where would we be without science? Well, we’d be without computers, smartphones, robots, spacecraft, and other cutting-edge technologies. Crimes would take longer to solve without modern forensic analysis techniques. More people would continue to have to rely on environmentally unfriendly fossil fuels instead of using clean energy. It would be harder to detect dangerous weather events, such as tornadoes and hurricanes. And life would be less fun, because we wouldn’t have drones, awe-inspiring and physics-defying roller coasters, and the computer and video games that we play for hours. Job markets are sometimes strong and sometimes weak, but a career in science (which, for the purposes of this series, includes the related fields of technology and engineering) is almost a sure path to a comfortable life. The following paragraphs provide more information on why a career in science is a great choice. Good pay. People in science careers earn some of the highest salaries in the work world. The median annual salary for those in engineering careers in the United States is $79,840, according to the US Department of Labor (DOL). This is much higher than the median earnings ($45,760) for all careers. Additionally, those in life, physical, and social science occupations earn

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$72,740. Science professionals who become managers or who launch their own businesses can earn anywhere from $150,000 to $300,000 or more. Strong employment prospects. The DOL predicts that employment of computer and information technology professionals in the United States will grow by 15 percent during the next decade. This is much faster than the average for all careers. Career opportunities for those in life, physical, and social science occupations will grow by 7 percent, and employment for engineering professionals will grow by 4 percent. By 2031, the DOL predicts that there will be nearly 873,000 new science, technology, engineering, and mathematics jobs. Rewarding work environment and many career options. A career in science is fulfilling because you get to use both your creative and practical sides to develop new technologies (or improve existing ones), solve problems, and make the world a better place. While some scientists spend lots of time in laboratories and other research facilities, they also spend time in the field conducting research; collecting samples and observing geological and atmospheric conditions and phenomena; and testing, troubleshooting, and trying out their inventions or discoveries. Entrepreneurism is another option for scientists and engineers. Some science professionals launch their own businesses, which can be both fun and very rewarding. Job opportunities are available throughout the United States and the world. Science professionals play such important roles in our modern world that there are job openings almost anywhere, although many positions are found in big cities.

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COOL CAREERS IN SCIENCE: METEOROLOGISTS

IS A CAREER IN SCIENCE RIGHT FOR ME?

Test your interest. How many of these statements do you agree with? • My favorite class in school is science. • I also enjoy computer science classes. • I like to learn about scientific breakthroughs. • I like to design and build things. • I like to solve puzzles. • I enjoy doing science experiments. • I am curious about how things work. • I am creative and have a good imagination. • I like to build electronics and other things that require electricity. • I like to take things apart and see how they work. • I am good at math and physics. If many of the statements above describe you, then you should consider a career in the sciences. But you don’t need to select a career right now. Check out this book on a career as a meteorologist, and other books in the series, to learn more about occupational paths in the sciences and related fields. Good luck with your career exploration!

INTRODUCTION

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WORDS TO UNDERSTAND

atmospheric science: the study of the layers of gases, called the atmosphere , that surround Earth certification: a credential awarded by a professional association or organization to workers who have met a set of established criterion (e g , have a certain level of experience, have a certain degree, pass an examination) environmental policy: a plan made by government agencies, businesses, or other public or private organizations that pertains to human effects on the environment; specifically, one that is developed to reduce or prevent harm to the environment geology: the study of Earth’s physical structures and the processes that create those structures hydrology: the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water in the

earth and its relationship with the environment inclement: unpleasant and sometimes severe

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Chapter 1

WHAT DO METEOROLOGISTS DO? WHAT IS METEOROLOGY?

Meteorology is the study of the lower parts of the atmosphere (primarily the troposphere) and atmospheric phenomena and their effects on our weather. It is a specialized field of atmospheric science . The atmosphere consists of the layers of air that surround Earth, which is roughly 65 to 75 miles (100 to 125 kilometers) thick. Meteorologists are scientists who observe, study, and explain meteorological conditions and forecast the weather. They also study and address critical issues such as global warming, climate change, and pollution (especially its interaction with weather phenomena). Work environments include field settings, laboratories, broadcast studios, and weather offices. People who work in meteorology have educational backgrounds and training in meteorology, atmospheric science, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and other fields. Broadcast meteorology is probably the first meteorological specialty many people think of when considering a career in the field. This is an

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Earth’s atmosphere.

exciting specialty, but only 17 percent of meteorologists work in television broadcasting. A large percentage (34 percent) of meteorologists are employed by the federal government, especially at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service, but also with NASA, the US Departments of Agriculture and Defense, and other agencies. Opportunities can also be found with state and local agencies. Meteorologists are increasingly finding good opportunities in the private sector. Why? Because they provide companies with critical weather-related information and advice that gives them a business advantage, and that allows them to serve their customers better. Top industries for meteorology professionals in the private sector include aviation, commodities trading,

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COOL CAREERS IN SCIENCE: METEOROLOGISTS

energy, insurance, and shipping. About 15 percent of meteorologists work in research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. Employers include companies and colleges and universities. Finally, teaching is a great option for meteorology professionals who are enthusiastic and patient and like to educate others. Options are available at high schools and colleges and universities. A career in meteorology is intellectually stimulating, rewarding, and even fun if you’re the kind of person who gets excited to observe and report on thunderstorms, tornadoes, heat waves, polar vortexes, hurricanes, and other weather phenomena. In fact, 82 percent of meteorologists who were surveyed by PayScale.com reported being highly satisfied with their careers. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN METEOROLOGY Meteorology is a small, but important, field. Only about 9,100 atmospheric scientists (including meteorologists) are employed in the United States, according to the US Department of Labor. Work environments include field settings, laboratories, broadcast studios, and weather offices. The following paragraphs spotlight some of the most popular specialties in meteorology.

WEATHER FORECASTING AND WARNINGS

Weather forecasting is one of the main duties of meteorologists. The public receives weather forecasts and warnings about tornadoes and other inclement weather from broadcast meteorologists, through apps and websites, and via other methods, but it actually takes many meteorology professionals and lots of technology to create these science-based predictions. To create forecasts, the American Meteorological Society reports

What Do Meteorologists Do?

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WILD WEATHER Some people get tired of endless weather forecasts and reports and think news coverage of meteorological phenomena is overdone A look at the following statistics from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) should provide a reality check for weather coverage naysayers • Each year, the United States averages some 10,000 thunderstorms, 5,000 floods, 1,300 tornadoes, and two Atlantic hurricanes, as well as widespread droughts and wildfires

•

Weather, water, and climate events, cause an average of approximately 650 deaths and $15 billion in damage per year and are responsible for some 90 percent of all presidentially declared disasters About one-third of the US economy—some $3 trillion—is sensitive to weather and climate

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Tornado damage.

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COOL CAREERS IN SCIENCE: METEOROLOGISTS

Scientists track a hurricane on a weather map.

that “weather observers record atmospheric measurements at nearly 10,000 surface weather stations around the world and several thousand ships at sea. They release weather balloons at more than 500 stations to make upper-air measurements. Radar, aircraft, and satellites also are used to collect data on what is happening in the atmosphere.” Once all this information is collected, sophisticated computer models are used to evaluate the data and create possible scenarios of what will happen weather-wise in the next hours and days. In the United States, operational meteorologists who work at the main office of the National Weather Service (NWS) analyze and use their scientific knowledge to revise these models to create guidance forecasts for the entire country. These forecasts are then sent to NWS local offices, where meteorologists fine-tune the predictions (by using new data and their knowledge of their area to create forecasts for their region or specific metropolitan areas). These forecasts are then utilized and revised (as needed) by broadcast (e.g., radio, television) meteorologists and those in the private sector (who provide forecasting services for airlines, trucking

What Do Meteorologists Do?

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companies, agriculture companies, and other businesses). Creating weather watches and warnings is another aspect of forecasting. Meteorologists monitor weather conditions and use computer models to identify potentially dangerous weather conditions such as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flooding, hurricanes, and winter storms. They create watches and warnings that are issued to the public, businesses, and government officials in order to reduce the risk of injury, death, and property damage from these weather events. ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH Research meteorologists study atmospheric conditions in order to better understand how they affect us. There are many specialties in this sector. For example, climatologists study historical weather data and use computer modeling software and other tools to interpret long-term weather patterns or shifts in climate to better understand ongoing global climate change. Aeronomists study the upper areas of Earth’s atmosphere and those of other planets. They study the chemical, dynamical, and radiative processes of the atmosphere in order to gain scientific insights and improve the ability to predict its behavior. Research meteorologists often work with scientists in other disciplines such as chemistry, hydrology , mathematics, oceanography, and physics. Climate change analysts study scientific data and conduct research about the effects of climate change on the environment. They make climate-related recommendations for potential legislation and government policies, fundraising, or awareness campaigns; write grant proposals (to ask for money to fund projects); and engage in environmental outreach activities (to inform and inspire the public and decision makers to fight climate change).

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COOL CAREERS IN SCIENCE: METEOROLOGISTS