Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, is credited with many things scientific. One of them is his Meteorologica, the first major study of the atmosphere. Out of Aristotle's discourse came the
term "meteorologist" – a person who studies the atmosphere.

The field of meteorology has changed greatly since the days of the ancient, seafaring Greeks. Meteorology is a highly scientific and complex field that beckons skilled and talented professionals to observe naturally changing weather patterns and impart that information to society.

Quinton Williams, a physicist who chairs the department of Physics, Atmospheric Science and Geosciences at Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss., says when he asks students why
they decided to major in meteorology, they often say something like "When I was a child I experienced a terrible storm or a tornado" or "I used to always go outside and wonder what makes the weather what it is."

Meteorology today is typically characterized by the understanding of sophisticated computer weather models, satellite imagery and real-time weather radar. Meteorology is a dynamic and innovative endeavor that provides career opportunities in government, military, the private sector and academia, along with media weather forecasting positions.

"The atmospheric sciences have progressed … from a fledgling discipline to a global enterprise providing considerable benefits to individuals, businesses, and governments," stated a report from the National Research Council board, offering an outlook on the field in 1998 in advance of the new millennium.

"Through research and applications, the atmospheric sciences provide information that contributes to protection of life and property, agriculture, economic and industrial vitality, management of air quality, battlefield decisions, and national policies concerning energy and environment," the report continued.

For many of those who work as meteorologists, one thing that probably hasn't changed since Aristotle is the attraction to atmospheric-spawned events such as lightning and wind, moisture and rain, and ice and snow.

"I think the largest group of people that do go into meteorology really have that natural curiosity from a very early age. I think most meteorologists can really look back and say, ‘I've always
loved the weather. I've always been interested,' " said Elizabeth Mills, coordinator of the Online Weather Studies Diversity Project of the American Meteorological Society in Washington, a
program seeking to increase the number of African Americans in the field.

While not ubiquitous, a number of avenues exist for students seeking to pursue meteorology careers. Among the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Jackson State is the only one to offer a bachelor's degree program in meteorology. Williams said Jackson State's program graduates about 1 in 4 African-American meteorologists in the nation.

About 50 percent of Jackson State meteorologists graduates since 2002 have gone to graduate school, while about 25 percent go on to start careers in broadcasting as television and radio weather forecasters and another 20 percent go to work for government agencies, such as the National Weather Service, part of the National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration.

Job opportunities in meteorology are expected to be better in private industry than in the federal government in the future, while opportunities in broadcasting are highly competitive, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor.

An American Meteorological Society report showed that from the period 1997 through 1999, all U.S. colleges and universities conferred 816 bachelor's degrees, 502 master's degrees and
305 Ph.D.s in meteorology/atmospheric sciences. More than 100 universities, large and small, offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in atmospheric or related sciences in the United States and Canada, according to the AMS.

Coursework in meteorology includes analysis and prediction of weather systems, atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physical meteorology, remote sensing of the atmosphere, and
instrumentation. Other required courses may include physics, statistics, chemistry,  physical oceanography, physical climatology, physical hydrology and computer science.

Attending a college or university that lacks a formal degree in meteorology should not deter budding forecasters, said Mills, adding that the AMS' online weather course has been licensed by some 300 colleges and universities across the country, including HBCUs. Many institutions that don't offer specific bachelor degrees may have introductory courses in meteorology and still there are other ways to enter the field.

The BLS said that entry-level meteorologists in the federal government typically have bachelor's degrees — although not always in meteorology. Sometimes, a combination of education and appropriate experience may be substituted for a degree.

"You don't necessarily have to be a meteorologist to contribute to the field. There are a lot of physicists, a lot of computer scientists in the field," Mills said. "Actually, sometimes a degree in
math or physics is looked upon really highly because they are unique skills."

Jackson State's Williams explained that meteorology, as a profession, "is not just looking at the sky."

"You also want to understand and describe the physical processes and look at the dynamics of weather, and to do that requires mathematics as well. A good grasp of science and math is very
good preparation," Williams said.

Atmospheric scientists held about 7,400 meteorology jobs in 2004, according to the BLS. The federal government was the largest single employer of civilian meteorologists, about 2,900, with
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employing the most federal meteorologists in National Weather Service stations around the country. Weather stations operate 24-7 and duties can require rotating night, weekend and holiday work. Meteorologists often work under pressure during weather emergencies, such as tornadoes and hurricanes,
to meet forecast deadlines.

Beginning atmospheric scientists typically do routine data collection, computation, or analysis, and some basic forecasting, the BLS said. Entrylevel operational meteorologists in the federal government usually work in intern positions to gain training and experience, learning about the forecasting equipment and procedures.

The BLS said median annual earnings for atmospheric scientists in May 2004 were $70,100. The middle 50 percent earned between $48,880 and $86,610. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,590, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $106,020. The average salary for meteorologists in nonsupervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions employed by the federal government was about $80,499 in 2005.

Meteorologists in the federal government with a bachelor's degree and no experience received a starting salary of $27,955 or $34,544. Those with a master's degree could start at $42,090 or $54,393, and those with a Ph.D. could begin at $70,280. Beginning salaries for all degree levels are slightly higher in areas of the country where the prevailing local pay level is higher, the BLS said.

In addition to courses in math and science, non-meteorology courses that have broad application are in communication, such as writing and public speaking. The AMS noted that salaries for broadcast forecasters cover a broad spectrum depending on station market size.

"The preparation part is global. It's not just particular to minority students. It's for any student who is preparing to go into meteorology. They're going to want to beef up their background in mathematics and science. For those who want to do broadcast meteorology, of course, communication would be a good thing to beef up in," Williams said.

As in any field, the goal for students, whether in a degree-granting meteorological program or not, is to gain practical experience during college by working internships. The American Meteorological Society, for instance, has programs that lead students to opportunities. In addition, federal agencies including the National Weather Service and NASA have programs that allow students to gain experience.

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo., founded more than 30 years ago by 14 universities, under sponsorship of the National Science Foundation, offers a
program for young atmospheric scientists called SOARS, or Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science. The program offers summer research internships to undergraduates in atmospheric science or related fields. Between 1996 and 2001, 37 percent of SOARS' participants were African-Americans and 71 percent were female.

The focus on weather also creates opportunities in private industry. AccuWeather Inc., for instance, is a leading commercial weather company that provides custom weather forecasting, hardware and software systems, and consulting services to more than 65,000 clients globally. The State College, Pa., company also provides weather information to more than 1,000 newspapers, radio and television stations.

Positions offered include those for weather forecasters and programmers with meteorological backgrounds. Weather jobs include on-air broadcasting for radio and television stations; creative presentation of weather graphics; preparation of television and newspaper forecasts; snow and severe weather warning services; worldwide forecasting for agriculture and media; specialized forecasts for the transportation industry, utilities, businesses and resorts; computer
applications and many others. Programming applicants should possess a four-year degree and experience with computer disciplines such as GIS, C++, Fortran and SQL.

Graduate-level education is becoming increasingly vital for meteorologists. Graduate programs in meteorology also don't require the undergraduate degree to be in the discipline, Mills said.

The National Weather Service, for instance, hired 60 percent more people with advanced degrees in 2005 than it did in 1985, the agency said.

The AMS offers more than a dozen graduate fellowships each year with funds provided by corporations and government agencies. The National Science Foundation and other government
agencies have graduate fellowships. The Weather Service also offers its employees an opportunity to pursue graduate degrees under several different programs while still working full-time.

Additionally, the AMS offers consulting meteorologists professional certification, which is administered by a Board of Certified Consulting Meteorologists. Applicants must meet formal education requirements, pass an examination to demonstrate thorough meteorological
knowledge, have a minimum of five years of experience or a combination of experience plus an advanced degree. In addition, AMS also offers professional certification for broadcast meteorologists.

"There is quite a large public service component to the field. As in any scientific field, you're helping by educating the public, by doing research, by helping to protect society," Mills explained. "You're helping people be more aware of natural hazards."

Marvin V. Greene is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine.