Meteorology as a Major

[weatherMA]

To any current mets, I've been thinking of taking a geography minor with emphasis on hydrogeography, climatology and GIS. Is that a smart idea or should I focus more on computer science?

Bump

[RutgersWx92]

Question: How much do any of you think a math minor would be beneficial to me for applying to grad school and future jobs? Here at Rutgers a math minor requires linear algebra plus three upper level math courses in addition to the ones required for the meteorology major, so it isn't automatic. Do you think my time would be better spent there, or taking additional classes in something like computer science and/or geography (though I don't think I will have enough time to get minors in either of those at this point)?

[AtticaFanatica]

To any current mets, I've been thinking of taking a geography minor with emphasis on hydrogeography, climatology and GIS. Is that a smart idea or should I focus more on computer science?

There are others that probably know better than I, but I think anything involving hydrology is a plus and the same for GIS. If you could also establish some baseline knowledge in a language like Python, I think you'd be in good shape.

[wxmeddler]

To any current mets, I've been thinking of taking a geography minor with emphasis on hydrogeography, climatology and GIS. Is that a smart idea or should I focus more on computer science?

For applied meteorology, GIS is a good choice and is very useful for hydromet /hydrogeo. If you want to do more research meteorology or grad school then I would definitely do computer sci. Most of the people who have done comp sci coming out of Millersville at least have landed grad schools or internships with the nws or big research schools.

[Eskimo Joe]

For applied meteorology, GIS is a good choice and is very useful for hydromet /hydrogeo. If you want to do more research meteorology or grad school then I would definitely do computer sci. Most of the people who have done comp sci coming out of Millersville at least have landed grad schools or internships with the nws or big research schools.

With a focus on Python, Java and web-based applications.

[OKpowdah]

Not everyone is as crazy as you are

BTW you should come back to AK next summer and do more great research.

I'll probably be burnt out in a year.

I really want to come back to AK! I have to stay in OK to continue research over the summer, but I'm thinking about flying up there for at least a couple weeks to see you guys, do some hiking, and see if there is anything I can do at the office

[Hoar_Frost]

To any current mets, I've been thinking of taking a geography minor with emphasis on hydrogeography, climatology and GIS. Is that a smart idea or should I focus more on computer science?

I would focus more on computer science. Programming is both transferable to other fields and very useful in many areas of the meteorology field. GIS, though useful, seems to be rapidly changing constantly, to the point that, if you learn the techniques current to the time you are in school, they are likely to have changed by the time you need it on the job. I am also convinced that, in meteorology, there are more people who know something (or a lot) about GIS than there are people skilled at programming. Both are in demand. So, just based on the supply of skills available in the employment market, programming is the way to go. That is just my impression.

[Hoar_Frost]

Another separate point (especially for anyone who looks to end his education after the BS degree) ... Even if you do all the right things (many of which are suggested in this thread), many of you are going to have trouble finding a job with just a BS degree. In fact, I would say that most of you will. Or, it might take you a while -- think years -- to find a meteorology job. There are two options. One is to take a job in a different field in which those extra skills (like programming, GIS, etc.) are relevant. This first option may require some amount of additional training -- anywhere from a couple of additional courses up to another degree. However, some of you are going to have a steadfast commitment to getting that operational forecasting job. So, the second option is to wait it out until that job comes (and, perhaps, while waiting, work part-time in some menial-labor position). In this second option, you are not going to be making too much money; it may not really be enough to make a living. Student-loan payments are going to be coming due. I would guess that many of you current students depend on your parents to at least some degree for financial support, but I would also guess that your parents are going to be sick of you or financially unable to withstand you mooching off them a year or two or four after getting out of college while you continue to await that ops job.

So, for this second option, for sure -- and this goes for anyone, really: Do ANYTHING you can to minimize your debt while earning the BS degree. I know that this is much easier said than done. To do so, do well in high school so that you might earn some scholarships to defray the cost of the degree. Go to community college for a year or two to complete the general-education courses. Work part-time if you can (and as long as it does not affect your academic performance). If a decent program at an in-state public university is available, go there rather than to the program out of state. Overall, be frugal, and try to save any "spare" money you get (maybe rather than spend it all at the bar or on pleasure).

If you can minimize your debt and your post-BS-degree student-loan payments, you will be taking a major financial millstone off the neck of your future self, and you will be afforded much more freedom with your career moves. Many of my classmates who graduated with me this past spring who are not going to graduate school, like I am, are really struggling with the intersection of student-loan debt and lack of employment/income. Of course, as I mentioned, a lot of this is much easier advised than done. Even so, this might get some of you thinking.