Atmospheric Science Internships: Launching Your Career in Weather and Climate

For students passionate about weather, climate, and the environment, atmospheric science internships offer invaluable opportunities to gain hands-on experience, develop crucial skills, and explore potential career paths. These internships span a wide range of areas, from forecasting and research to communication and policy, catering to diverse interests and skill sets. This article provides a comprehensive overview of atmospheric science internships, highlighting the benefits, types of opportunities available, and resources to help you find the perfect fit.

The Value of Internships in Atmospheric Science

Learning possibilities for Atmospheric and Climate Science majors don’t end in the classroom. Internships provide a bridge between academic knowledge and real-world application, allowing students to:

Apply theoretical knowledge: Internships provide a platform to apply classroom learning to practical scenarios, solidifying understanding and fostering critical thinking.
Develop technical skills: Students acquire hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, software, and techniques used in atmospheric research and forecasting.
Network with professionals: Internships offer opportunities to connect with experienced scientists, meteorologists, and other professionals, building valuable relationships for future career prospects.
Explore career paths: By working in different areas of atmospheric science, students can gain clarity on their interests and identify the career paths that best align with their skills and passions.
Enhance resumes: Internship experience significantly strengthens resumes, making graduates more competitive in the job market.

Types of Atmospheric Science Internships

The field of atmospheric science offers a wide variety of internships, each providing a unique learning experience. Here are some common types:

Research Internships

Many university departments encourage undergraduate students to reach out directly to professors they are interested in working with. Many of our majors participate in departmental research projects, learning new skills and concepts while making important contributions to the research. These internships typically involve assisting faculty and graduate students with ongoing research projects, analyzing data, and presenting findings. For example, the NSF NCAR Earth System Science Internship (NESSI) offers undergraduate students interested in the Earth system sciences an opportunity to conduct research with scientists and engineers from across any NSF NCAR lab on a wide range of topics including but not limited to atmospheric science, computational science, engineering, solar & space physics, and the social sciences. The program is designed to support and promote Earth system science through research, mentoring, and community building. Opportunities for collaborative and interdisciplinary research are available.

Focus: Data analysis, modeling, field work, scientific writing.
Example: Working with a research group studying cloud microphysics, analyzing data from field campaigns, or developing a climate model.
Where to find them: University research labs, government research facilities (e.g., NOAA, NASA), national labs (e.g., Brookhaven National Laboratory).

Forecasting Internships

These internships provide hands-on experience in weather forecasting, working alongside experienced meteorologists to analyze weather data, create forecasts, and communicate weather information to the public.

Read also: Research at UCLA: Atmosphere

Focus: Weather analysis, forecast model interpretation, communication skills.
Example: Assisting with the creation of daily weather forecasts, issuing weather alerts, or presenting weather information on television or radio.
Where to find them: National Weather Service (NWS) offices, private weather companies (e.g., AccuWeather, WeatherWorks), television stations.

Communication and Outreach Internships

For students interested in science communication, these internships offer opportunities to translate complex scientific information into engaging content for the public.

Focus: Writing, visual media creation, public speaking, social media.
Example: Creating infographics about climate change, writing articles about weather events, or giving presentations to community groups.
Where to find them: Science museums, non-profit organizations, government agencies, media outlets. The Summer 2025 Southwest Urban Corridor Integrated Field Laboratory Internship, fully remote, is perfect for an undergraduate student passionate about science communication, climate resilience and visual storytelling. This is your chance to translate cutting-edge research into impactful content while working with a top-tier scientific team!

Policy and Government Internships

These internships involve working with policymakers and government agencies to address environmental issues and develop sustainable policies.

Focus: Policy analysis, research, writing, advocacy.
Example: Researching the impacts of climate change on coastal communities, drafting policy recommendations, or lobbying for environmental legislation.
Where to find them: Government agencies (e.g., EPA, Department of Energy), non-profit organizations, think tanks.

Finding the Right Internship

Securing an atmospheric science internship requires proactive effort and strategic planning. Here are some tips to help you find the right opportunity:

Network: Attend department seminars and colloquia. Each week there is a department colloquium, generally on a topic of general interest. Prior to the colloquium, refreshments are served and students and faculty gather in an informal setting. Weekly weather discussion. Puget Sound AMS Chapter. Talk to professors, graduate students, and professionals in the field to learn about potential opportunities.
Utilize university resources: Career services offices and academic advisors can provide valuable guidance on finding internships and preparing applications.
Search online databases: Websites like the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the National Weather Service (NWS) offer internship listings.
Attend conferences: Conferences provide opportunities to network with professionals and learn about internship programs.
Be proactive: Don't be afraid to reach out directly to organizations and researchers you are interested in working with.

Featured Internship Programs

Here are some specific internship programs in atmospheric science, gleaned from recent postings:

DOE Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI): The Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) SULI program offers internships at national laboratories, providing students with the experience needed to transition from intern to employment. Interns work directly with national laboratory scientists and engineers, assisting them on research or technology projects that support the DOE mission.
NASA DEVELOP Program: DEVELOP cultivates the next generation of leaders and Earth observation users. We work with communities and organizations to address environmental and policy concerns through the practical application of NASA Earth science information.
NSF SOARS Program: NSF SOARS is an undergraduate-to-graduate bridge program, designed to broaden participation of marginalized communities in the atmospheric and related sciences.
AccuWeather Internships: AccuWeather offers forecasting internships at its Global Headquarters in State College, Pennsylvania, and Severe Weather Center in Wichita, Kansas. As an intern, students will engage in a blend of forecasting duties and project-based tasks, providing them with invaluable knowledge and hands-on experience alongside our expert meteorologists.
National Weather Service (NWS) Student Volunteer Program: As an unpaid, student volunteer, a selected individual will gain valuable insight into all aspects of an operational meteorologist.
Marine Physical Laboratory (MPL) Summer Internship Program: The MPL Summer Internship program is a paid ten-week research program where students complete their own individual research project under the mentorship of some of the most notable scientists in the world. In addition to their research, students will attend weekly seminars, participate in hands-on activities, and more.

Tips for a Successful Internship Application

A strong application is crucial for securing a competitive internship. Here are some tips to make your application stand out:

Tailor your resume and cover letter: Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the specific internship.
Showcase your passion: Express your enthusiasm for atmospheric science and your desire to learn and contribute.
Highlight your accomplishments: Provide specific examples of your achievements in academic projects, research, or extracurricular activities.
Proofread carefully: Ensure your application is free of errors in grammar and spelling.
Seek feedback: Ask professors, career advisors, or mentors to review your application before submitting it.

Funding and Academic Credit

Students may earn academic credit for research or internships, which sometimes provide a stipend. Students are also encouraged to apply for the Mary Gates Research Scholarship to support their research. To register for Research credits (ATMOS 390, 498, or 499) or Internship credits (ATMOS 497), students are expected to locate a faculty adviser.

The Undergraduate Senior Thesis

It is never too early to starting thinking about writing an undergraduate senior thesis!

Seminars and Talks

Each week there are several seminars or talks on a variety of topics, and undergraduates are welcome to attend all.

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