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Our industry advisory panel anticipates the following career paths for new BSc graduates as well as for practicing meteorologists desiring retraining:
Employment of atmospheric scientists, including meteorologists, is projected to grow 12 percent from 2016 to 2026 in the USA, faster than the average for all occupations. The best job prospects for atmospheric scientists will be in private industry. Another job path is with the airlines, where 20,000 new pilots will be needed each year for the next 20 years*.
An overview of government forecaster jobs in Canada is at https://www.eco.ca/career-profiles/meteorologist/ . A substantial portion of ECCC's current work force of meteorologists is reaching retirement age in the next several years. ECCC anticipates the need to hire more meteorologists will increase.
In addition to teamwork and communication skills, the Private Sector Committee of CMOS recommends the following computer skills:
Essential:
Nice to have (chosen based on intended career path):
Note that programming/scripting languages such as those listed above will often learned throughout your UBC degree through various lectures/labs, or by self-learning!
Some coding skillsets can also be learned from the following archived course: ATSC 212 (Earth & Atmospheric Science Intro Computing Lab).Refer to Science Co-op and/or Applied Science (Engineering) Co-op for further details on job prospects during your undergraduate studies. https://sciencecoop.ubc.ca/prospective/apply/atmospheric
The Canadian federal government also offers co-op-like jobs to current students, via their Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) . This includes jobs with ECCC as well as with other federal agencies.
Refer to this 2023 report from the American Meteorological Society
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Agency | Job Type* | Skillset Experience / Recommended Courses |
Links |
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Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) |
Meteorological Technologists
(A forecaster would start as an MT-01; here is a sample ECCC job posting.) Data Analysts |
Minimum of 30 credits in physics and mathematics. (Courses that are not PHYS or MATH courses can still count if the UBC ATSC program provides a statement of equivalency. An example is CHEM 304-Thermodynamics as counting towards the PHYS requirement. Please contact Prof. Stull for an equivalency statement, if needed.) - A dynamic meteorology course (ATSC 404 - Dynamic Meteorology) - A thermodynamic meteorology course (ATSC 405 - Cloud Physics and Chemistry) - A synoptic meteorology course (ATSC 413 - Forest-fire Weather & Climate) - Three other meteorology related courses. |
Post-Secondary Co-op / Internship
Becoming a Meteorologist at ECCC Join the Meteorological Service of Canada An Insight Into The Staff Job Search Slides from an ECCC presentation about careers & an updated ECCC presentation on 5 Dec 2023 |
Nav Canada |
Aviation Forecasting |
Geographic Information System (GIS) can help with viewing and interpreting satellite imagery and radar data:
(GEOS 270)
(ATSC 113 - Applied Meteorology) teaches important information regarding forecasting, specifically for 'flying weather' |
Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
Transport Canada Aviation Meteorology Textbook (2023) Aviation Weather Web Site |
Canadian Armed Forces |
Tactical Weather Specialist
Meteorological Forecaster |
Developing a good stamina for physical activity is recommended as there are
qualifications that need to be passed before beginning the meteorological training.
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Canadian Forces School of Meteorology |
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Society | Job Type* | Skillset Experience / Recommended Courses |
Links |
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Eco Canada |
Environmental jobs related to consulting, engineering with different topics |
Becoming a researcher under atmospheric science would incorporate much time in understanding weather
patterns and gaining technical skills in observational forecasting. For ATSC majors, research work is incorporated throughout your degree. A great example of such a required course would be ENVR 300. From collecting data to presenting an effective model, the environmental research course encorporates a base understanding in conducting effective research. This career pathway is especially recommended for those preparing for further research through graduate school. Valid fifth-year courses that pertain to direct study / research is a great additional step for undergraduates willing to go into the research work to graduate school route! Field-work courses such as GEOS 309 is another great example for students willing to learn mapping techniques through data analysis and field sampling. Such courses can be extremely useful for any career with hands-on research. |
Careers Page
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American Meteorological Society (AMS) |
Meterological research positions / internships | Career Resource Page
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Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) |
Meterological research positions / internships |
International Jobs Board
USEFUL Videos Regarding Skills and Careers in Meteorology |
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Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society |
Meteorological and ocenographic careers ranging in various expertise level | Careers Page
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Agency | Job Type* | Skillset Experience / Recommended Courses |
Links |
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Alberta Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development |
Air Quality Specialist |
To ensure that emissions and airborne pollutants do not violate air pollution laws, air quality specialists
could use testing equipment to conduct field tests, examine numerical data, and plan air quality regulations.
ATSC 303 would be the required course
to adequately solidify your knowledge surrounding various weather instruments. For ATSC students looking to fulfill their electives, GEOS 402 (Air Pollution Meteorology) is a very useful course that heavily pertains to air quality monitoring, pollutant dispersion models, and the overall nature of atmospheric pollutants. Please ensure accurate planning as this course is not offered every winter year. |
Alberta Ministry Careers Page |
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Company | Job Type* | Skillset Experience / Recommended Courses / Additional Info |
Links |
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ATS Services Ltd |
Aviation related meteorology | Please refer above to the column of "Nav Canada" for useful skills and links to resources. | ATS Careers
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The Weather Network |
Broadcast Meteorologist and Science Specialist
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There is a green screen available in the EOAS building
for broadcast practice. Communication and public-speaking skills are a must. Being comfortable in front of the camera is an asset, and this could be built
from self-practice.
Joining clubs such as the Storm Club and being in a public-speaking position can also headstart your broadcasting journey! |
The Weather Network
Job Search |
CBC Canada |
CBC Careers
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Stantec |
Consultancy Engineering related to Meteorology and Climatology | Stantec Careers
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WSP E & I Canada Limited |
Consultancy Engineering related to Meteorology and Climatology | WSP Careers
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Chelsea Avondale |
Natural disasters risk modelling (insurance), research scientist |
Homepage
Careers |
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Instant Weather Inc |
Meteorology, communication and development |
Meet The Team
Contact |
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Cat IQ |
Extreme weather risks and assesments (insurance) | Contact
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Weatherlogics |
Meteorology and software developing | Weatherlogics is a Canadian-based weather forecasting and technology company. Opportunities include operational meteorology, atmospheric research, and scientific software development (mostly python). Summer positions are also available for atmospheric science students. |
Careers Page
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RWDI Consulting Engineering and Scientists |
Consultancy engineering related to Meteorology and Climatology
Air Quality Director |
Careers Page
The different meteorologically related services that RWDI provides: Weather Forecasting, Meteorology and Climate Services Ambient Air Quality Monitoring |
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SLR Consulting Canada |
Consultancy engineering related to Meteorology and Climatology
Air quality management |
Careers Page
Air Quality Service |
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EPRI |
Forecasting research / climate analyst, supports staff located across the U.S. and Canada | Careers Page
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Dillon Consulting |
Environmental scientist, climate change researcher |
Careers Page
Instagram Page |
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Ausenco |
Sustainability engineering firm that hires air quality and noise specialists for various projects |
Careers Page
Projects in Atmospheric Science |
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