Skills you’ll develop
While studying Atmospheric Science, you’re developing skills that can contribute to the health and safety of the world and communities around you.
These skills may include:
- Numerical weather prediction
- Probabilistic forecasting
- Georeferencing/mapping
- Advanced quantitative skills
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Pattern perception
- Weather brief writing and presentation
- Technical skills in statistical analysis and computer programming (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB)
Explore career possibilities
Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including weather prediction, environmental or forest fire monitoring, transportation, road plowing, insurance, shipping, avalanche prediction, aviation, software development, big data, and policymaking.
There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas.
Visit the Job Bank Canada website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field. Some career options may require further education or training.
- Aerological technician
- Air quality meteorologist
- Air pollution technician
- Air-traffic controller
- Archivist
- Atmospheric chemist
- Atmospheric physicist
- Climatological technician
- Climatologist
- Conservationist
- Ecologist
- Environmental scientist
- Geochemist
- Geophysicist
- Hydrogeologist
- Hydrologist
- Land surveyor
- Lobbyist
- Meteorologist
- Oceanographer
- Physicist
- Policy advisor
- Pilot
- Researcher
- Seismologist
- Teacher/professor
- Volcanologist
- Weather forecaster
- Weather software developer
Make the most of your specialization
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help clarify your values and interests.
- Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science clubs
Meet other UBC students with similar interests through events and programs. - Weather forecasting and briefing
Find resources to help improve your skills in forecasting and brief writing. - UBC Sustainability programs and clubs
Browse on-campus paid and volunteer opportunities related to sustainability. - UBC Science Co-op
Gain work experience in atmospheric science between study terms. - Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions internships
Apply your classroom knowledge to real-world settings through climate change mitigation or adaptation projects. - Departmental research opportunities
Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions.
Build your network
Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.
The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.
- American Geosciences Institute
- American Meteorological Society
- Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
- Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences
- Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
- Engineers and Geoscientists of BC
- National Centre for Atmospheric Research
- Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions
Connect with alumni on LinkedIn
Find UBC Atmospheric Science graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.
More information
From your Science degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Science degree.