gradsingapore STEM Career Guide 2021

Page 42

SCIENCE | AREAS OF WORK

METEOROLOGY Apply scientific techniques to study and understand the weather to make forecasts and predict upcoming events.

M

ost of us are acquainted with the part of a meteorologist’s job that entails sharing the weather forecast during the evening news. However, this is only one element of their role – in fact, meteorologists also predict weather conditions for marine and aeronautical use, which is crucial in keeping people safe. Previously, weather predictions were made based on past weather patterns until it was discovered that it was possible to make more accurate predictions by applying physics and using special instruments such as hygrometers and barometers. Computers are also used to make complex calculations which model the weather to help meteorologists with forecasting. Nevertheless, some meteorologists choose to go into research and development, with their work involving climate modelling or other atmospheric data instead.

Career overview Training is provided on-the-job for operational meteorologists, although a bachelor’s degree in a field such as physics, mathematics, meteorology or geosciences is a requirement. Being good with computer software is highly advantageous as well, as meteorologists work with supercomputers and sophisticated software.

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STEM Career Guide 2021

Additionally, as the job requires a lot of report-writing, being good at written communication is beneficial. Graduates can find employment with the National Environment Agency (NEA), the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), as well as a few other research institutions in the country. Networking and speculative applications are also recommended as vacancies may not always be advertised.

Trends and developments Although meteorology is a relatively small industry, employment in this sector has been growing at a fast rate. This international trend is rooted in a budding demand for meteorological services in the private sector as logistics firms and businesses sometimes rely on specialised weather information to plan inventory shipments. Demand for meteorologists is also expected to grow alongside the green energy sector as forecasting weather conditions is beneficial to solar and wind power farms for power management.

Career highlight A unique career This interesting sector not only offers on-the-job training, but other unique opportunities as well, much like interaction with members of the public – who may call to ask about the weather – and the occasional collaboration with engineers and other meteorologists, to work on instruments and exchange data respectively. Skills required in meteorology

• Analytical skills • Passion for the job • Collaborative skills • Solid written communication skills • Strong interpersonal skills • Good at mathematics • Adept with computers


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Materials and Metals

2min
page 87

Food Manufacturing

2min
page 86

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG

2min
page 85

Electronic Engineering

2min
page 80

Engineering Design and Construction

2min
page 84

Energy (Oil and Gas

2min
page 81

Energy (Power Generation

2min
page 82

Defence Technology

2min
page 79

Engineering Consultancy

2min
page 83

Control Engineering

2min
page 78

Chemical Engineering

1min
page 76

Aerospace Engineering

1min
page 74

Construction Engineering

2min
page 77

Automotive Engineering

2min
page 75

Top Three Trends in Engineering for Graduates to Know

6min
pages 70-71

Find Great Graduate Jobs in Small Engineering Firms

4min
pages 72-73

Engineering: A Beginner’s Guide

4min
pages 68-69

Web Development and e-Commerce

3min
pages 65-67

Professional IT Services

2min
page 63

Technology Consulting

2min
page 64

IT in Retail

2min
page 59

IT Services

2min
page 62

IT in Telecommunications

2min
page 60

IT Outsourcing

2min
page 61

IT in Manufacturing

2min
page 58

IT in Investment Banking

2min
page 57

Hardware Development

2min
page 56

Games Development

2min
page 55

Financial Software Development

2min
page 54

Financial Technology (Fintech

2min
page 53

Finding Graduate IT and Technology Jobs in SMEs

3min
pages 50-51

Cyber Security

2min
page 52

Top Three Trends That IT and Technology Graduates Should Know

5min
pages 46-47

The Benefits of Working in IT and Technology

3min
pages 48-49

Science Writing

3min
pages 44-45

Research Chemistry

2min
page 43

Meteorology

2min
page 42

The Benefits of Working in the Science Sector

2min
pages 38-39

Environmental Science

2min
page 40

Food Technology and Safety

2min
page 41

Considering a Postgraduate Degree in STEM

4min
pages 32-35

Future-Proofing Your Science Career

4min
pages 36-37

What Else Can I Do with a STEM-Related Degree?

5min
pages 30-31

Five Soft Skills for STEM

4min
pages 28-29

Assessment Centres for Graduate STEM Jobs

2min
pages 24-25

Cover Letter Tips for the Graduate STEM Specialist

4min
pages 20-21

Technical Skills Needed in STEM to Seal the Deal

5min
pages 26-27

Technical Interviews for Graduate STEM Positions

3min
pages 22-23

Choosing the Right STEM Career and Graduate Employer

5min
pages 16-17

Perfect Your STEM Resume

5min
pages 18-19

Industries in the STEM Sector

4min
pages 8-9

Is a Career in STEM for Me?

2min
pages 10-13
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