Career as Meteorologist
Metrology is a sub-discipline in earth science, where the professional is responsible for conducting a critical analysis of the weather. The professional Meteorologist's research into the weather and atmosphere related aspects to forecast the weather. However, in recent times news agencies and various other private organizations have started hiring Meteorologists to add more efficiency and effectiveness into their business operations. With the privatization and globalization movement, the central government has introduced FDI into the mining and oil industry, the role of Meteorologist has become more prominent into the private sector as well. The modern-day Meteorologists need to consider the dynamic nature of the climate as well as the weather to provide critical analysis of future weather. However, this career is very demanding, and the candidates who are willing to make a career as a meteorologist need to have a keen interest in the atmosphere and climate.
- About Meteorologist :
- Job Profile |
- How do I get there?
Job Profile
In various government sectors, the demand for
the Meteorologist is very high. Like the space research and
development organizations, defence research and development
organizations, weather forecasting department, and mining
departments.
However, the job responsibilities of
Meteorologists can be diverse and depending upon the nature of the
work responsibilities; the professions can be divided into four
different categories. The four different professional categories
are:
-
Industrial Meteorologists.
-
Physical Meteorologists.
-
Research Meteorologists.
-
Meteorologist professor and teacher.
Industrial Meteorologists and the Physical Meteorologists need to perform their duties flexibly. The professional responsibilities of professional meteorologists are extremely flexible, and the professionals need to perform their duties in both indoor and outdoor conditions. As the Meteorologists need to deal with the data from the atmosphere, that is why long working hours have become an integral part of this profession. The Meteorological departments are 24 hours functional, and this factor makes this profession extremely challenging. Also, the Meteorological experts need to coordinate with the professionals of different departments to perform their duty, and that is why team working capabilities are required.
Role and Salary
The Junior Scientists may get a salary of 25,000 to 30,000 rupees per month in an agriculture research and development centre. However, with the added experience and expertise, the professionals may get a salary up to 60,000 to 1.5 lakh per month in a defence research and development centre.
Most of the Senior Meteorologists choose the
space research and development sector to develop their professional
career, and this sector is offering the highest salary to the
experts. Senior professionals may get the salary up to Rs 2.5 lakh
per month in this industry.
|
Organisation |
Salary of Junior Scientists |
Salary of Executive Scientists |
Salary of Senior Scientists |
|
Meteorological Research Centre |
40,000 rupees/month |
50,000-70,000 rupees/month |
80,000-100,000 rupees/month |
|
Agricultural Planning Divisions |
25,000-35,000 rupees/month |
45,000 rupees/month |
65000 rupees/month |
|
Weather Consulting Organisations |
35,000-55,000 rupees/month |
60,000-70,000 rupees/month |
80,000-1.5 lakh rupees/month |
|
Air Force |
45,000-60,000 rupees/month |
65,000 rupees/month |
100000 rupees/month |
Future Growth Prospects and How to get there faster
Pros and Cons of being a Meteorologist
Working professionals have registered their
work-life experience on various online portals. Depending upon the
feedback of the working professionals, few pros and cons of this
profession have been identified.
Pros
-
Job satisfaction for those candidates who are interested in the environment.
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Very high demand for skilled professionals and huge requirement of skilled professionals.
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An extensive requirement for skill and qualification.
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Huge opportunity to make a positive impact on the globe through the research and analysis of the minute changes into the atmosphere.
Cons
-
Limited job opportunities are present.
-
Lack of supply of skilled professionals has created a huge demand for professionals, and a huge workload is present.
-
Certain meteorological departments are functional 24 hours a day, and which means that the professionals need to work at night shifts often.
How do I get there?
Meteorology is also considered as atmospheric
science. Students who are willing to make their career in
meteorology need to hold a degree in atmospheric science. The
students must pass their 12th grade with proper science. Soon after
passing the 12th grade, students need to complete their graduation
with B.Tech or B.Sc. in atmospheric science.
However, students who are willing to make a
career in Meteorology but have completed their degree course in any
other science stream can also make a career in Meteorology, by
choosing a master's degree course. The students will be getting a
time frame of two years after their graduation to complete their
Master's degree. Pursuing a master's degree will also allow the
candidates to join in any reputed university of college as a
faculty of Meteorology.
Students who have developed a huge interest in the research and development process of Meteorology and those who are willing to contribute to future studies can join the PhD in atmospheric science. This course will allow them to have wide knowledge in the respective category, and it will also enable them to explore new dimensions of atmospheric science through scientific research.
How much does it cost?
Different courses require different types of
resources, and the course fees may vary upon different factors. The
diploma course takes two years to get completed. The course
structure may vary depending upon the university and the purpose of
the course. However, in India, the fees of the metrology diploma
course may begin from 80,000 rupees and it might go up to 1.5 lakh
rupees for a two years course.
The B.Sc. course takes three years to get
completed. In government undertaking universities, the course
fees will start from 27,000 rupees for a three years degree course.
However, in private university fees in India, the fees begin from
50,000 per year and will go up to 1.5 lakh rupees per year.
For the B.Tech course, the students need to enrol for a four-year-long curriculum. In India, the institutes charge students 10 to 15 lakh rupees for the Meteorology B.Tech course.
To pursue a PhD in Meteorology, the students need to enrol themselves in a fellowship program. However, the total expenditure of the PhD program may vary from 80,000 rupees to 300000 rupees. The total duration of the PhD program is two years.
What are the Top Colleges where one should be studying to become a Meteorologist?
In India, there are very few colleges and
universities that are offering the course in meteorology. Most of
the colleges are government-regulated colleges, as the students get
the opportunity to join as a working professional in public
organizations only. Here is the list of top seven colleges and
universities that are offering different courses in
Meteorology.
|
Rank of college |
Name of the college |
Course type and fees |
|
1 |
Andhra University (AU) |
M. Sc.- 1.5 Lakh Rupees/year M. Tech-1.6 Lakh Rupees/year |
|
2 |
Cochin University of Science and Technology |
M. Tech- 1.6 Lakh Rupees/year |
|
3 |
IIT Delhi |
M. Tech- 2.5 Lakh Rupees/Year PhD- 1 Lakh Rupees/Year |
|
4 |
Savitribai Phule University |
M. Tech- 1.7 Lakh Rupees/year |
|
5 |
Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology |
B. Sc- 1.5 Lakh Rupees/ year |
|
6 |
Sivaji University |
B. Sc- 2 Lakh Rupees/ year |
|
7 |
IITM |
M. Tech- 1.7 lakh rupees/ year |
Books and Study Material
Certain books have been recommended by working professionals and professors of eminent universities for the students who want to gain knowledge about this specific subject.
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Solar – by Ian McEwan
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Cosmos- by Carl Sagan
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The Perfect Storm- by Sebastian Junger
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State of Fear- by Michael Crichton
What if this career does not work out for me? What are the other options for a person with these credentials?
Other careers of your interests
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Content on this page is by Career Expert Mrs. Kum Kum Tandon MA (Psychology), M.Ed, Diploma in Educational Psychology, Vocational Guidance & Counseling (NCERT, Delhi) | View Complete Profile |