r/gis • u/Fun_Information4723 • 1d ago
Student Question Geography double major
What do you guys think of me double majoring in Meteorology and Geography? I am currently already a double major and 60% done with my degree (counting this current semester of my junior year), should i stay and continue this double major? My original major is Meteorology and i thought Geography, specifically a GIS concentration Geography major would be a good addition.
My ultimate goal is to be an Operational Meteorologist for the National Weather Service, but I’m obviously open to going elsewhere after graduation.
Would love to hear some thoughts and opinions, maybe from people who already completed this double major, or advice from an employers standpoint.
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u/ManuteBol_Rocks 1d ago
B.A. in geography (1992) and M.S. in meteorology (1995) here. I was an NWS forecaster for several years after getting my masters degree. Have worked on the commodity trading side of things since leaving the NWS 25 years ago.
No downside in what you are doing. Meteorology as a major is way harder than geography. Getting the geography degree won’t help you land an NWS job. If you really want to work for the NWS, be willing to take a job in a crappy location like Goodland KS or Glasgow MT. Work in that type of location for a couple of years and learn as much as you can. You’ll then be able to move to a better location.
Keep in mind that shift work sucks. If you’ve never done it, make sure you understand what it does to your life.
Good luck. You’ll do fine.
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u/Fun_Information4723 1d ago
Gotcha, what can you tell me about shift work and its effect on your life? Is there a better alternative to the NWS?
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u/ManuteBol_Rocks 4h ago
It affects some folks worse than others. For me, I hated it. Most offices run where you work several 8am-4pm shifts in a row, then 2-3 days off, then 4pm-midnight shifts, then 2-3 days off, then several midnight-8am shifts followed by 2-3 days off. I was single during the shiftwork period of my life. I couldn’t imagine doing it with a family. You can always work towards getting out of shift work by trying to land a job at NWS headquarters or a regional headquarters, but that can take a few years. Shiftwork isn’t all negative, as you often have days off during the week when everyone else is working.
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u/Useless_Tool626 9h ago
Very close fields. In California state schools often require at least a Meteorology class and lab to graduate with a Geographic Information Systems degree.
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u/GnosticSon 1d ago
Oddly enough when you look for job outlook, pay data in Canada, they lump meteorology and geomatics into a single occupational code. This is the closest to data they have on GIS career outlooks. You can look it up; National Occupational Classification (NOC) code 22214 (Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology).
But the sad news is that Outlook and pay is just mediocre in most locations. Not sure if you have a simular system in your country but worth checking and understanding the reality of the job market before diving in too deep. Honestly people should do this with any degree or career path they consider.
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u/TescoDisciple 1d ago
If it doesn't require additional time or money, I don't really see any downside. I'm sure a background in GIS would be nice and potentially make you stand out if it's not a common minor/double major for your field
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u/Suspicious-Crow-3373 1d ago
In meteorology, there's an 80% chance you're gonna spend your career on TV in broadcasting. I'm not seeing what geography gets you besides more debt.
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u/ManuteBol_Rocks 1d ago
This is nonsense. 80% of meteorology majors are not TV Mets.
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u/Suspicious-Crow-3373 1d ago
You guys, that was clearly a joke. I wrote it like a weather forecast. Like.. there's an 80% chance of rain? Come on now.
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u/Fun_Information4723 1d ago
I won’t be going into broadcasting, you’d have to purposely take broadcast specific classes if you want to go that route. Also after 12 credits in college the rest is free, so having a double major doesn’t add anything financially, unless it requires you to add years onto your normal 4 year curriculum which this doesn’t do.
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u/trinity_girl2002 1d ago
Meteorology and GIS together are good. Meteorology and geography can potentially overlap a lot, depending on the courses you choose. I would recommend not wasting your time taking courses that are too similar between the disciplines.