rdale
EF5
If your source told you that the NWS approached the Senator and asked her to take money out of their budget and put it into the alien act - your source was wrong. Regardless of the long-term plans.
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NWS facing budget cuts
- Thread starter John Farley
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If your source told you that the NWS approached the Senator and asked her to take money out of their budget and put it into the alien act - your source was wrong. Regardless of the long-term plans.
Matthew Havin
EF2
Speaking as a meteorologist that has worked for a couple private weather companies (that I will not name)..... cutting the NWS budget would in no way be even remotely beneficial to the private weather industry. Where I work, we are increasingly doing more business with the NWS.... and want them to do as well as possible. Otherwise, I'll be working at McDonald's again like when I was a teenager. Simple as that.
....which brings me up to point #2. With the effects of the financial crisis merging with what I call the "met industry job crisis" ..... those in school for weather, or those wanting to go to school for weather, or those getting a PhD in weather thinking they will get a job..... better get your head out of your butt and start thinking about other career options. Ever since I started college, I always heard that most NWS mets were "just about to retire and there will be a TON of openings in just a few years!". Guess what, that has not come to pass and now won't since a lot of guys with 30 years in just lost 30-40% of their retirement and will now want to keep working to save up a bit more. In private meteorology, it is even worse since we actually have to make money each and every year to pay salaries, financing, capital expenses, yadda yadda. End result? I have seen hiring come to a halt around summer 2008 and layoffs hit many at other companies in private weather. I would guess most private wx companies won't hire in any meaningful way for years....... I really feel bad for those graduating right now because the odds are stacked completely against them. Even if you are the best met in your graduating class.... it doesn't do any good if there are no job openings! Why am I so pessimistic? Because I want the message to get out.... people that go into this field are almost universally optimistic and stubborn as a mule AND their college professors aren't in the business of telling them they are throwing themselves down a figurative well. They think if they just hold out long enough something will drop in their lap. Meanwhile, they make themselves miserable, work for horrendous wages that would make an assistant manager of a Jiffy Lube laugh with glee, and end up moving their whole family to frozen hellholes in the Arctic for their "career". Don't do it! There are many great job opportunities out there, even if you have a degree in meteorology...... and will probably work better for you in the long term. Hint: the energy (wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal) industry will be the biggest source of jobs in the 21st century.... especially in the U.S., so get cracking!
DISCLAIMER: I work in weather, love the job, and don't plan on leaving the field for a long time. However, I am going back to school to diversify my skill set for future opportunities in weather, energy, and engineering. Those planning to work in weather, or stay working in weather....... better expect to wear multiple skill hats (forecaster, programmer, sales, PR, etc.).
Oh yes, almost forgot........ NWS budget cuts would be bad for EVERYONE in the industry. End of story.mikegeukes
EF5
Since Matthew mention about jobs in meteorology, here is a link
that I posted last year, an article that appeared in the BAMS.
ARE WE GRADUATING TOO MANY ATMOSPHERIC SCIENTISTS? AN UPDATE
John A. Knox: University of Georgia
http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/130540.pdf
"CONCLUDING REMARKS:
Based on the results of this article, if current
trends in undergraduate meteorology enrollment
and employment in the United States continue,
there will be far more degreed meteorologists than
jobs in meteorology during the next decade."
Mike
Tim Shriver
EF4
Bart_Comstock
EF5
Has there been any word on the progress of the bill?Last edited by a moderator:
Greg Blumberg
EF4
According to OpenCongress, the amendment passed.
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h2847/actions_votes
It's weird though considering the text says this:
"An amendment numbered 19 printed in the congressional Record to increase appropriations for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration operations, research, and facilities by $500,000 and decrease appropriations for the Department of Commerce salaries and expenses by $500,000."
This is the total site though. I'm too busy to completely figure this stuff out right now, but here's the link if others want to figure it all out:
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h2847/show
Bart_Comstock
EF5
GREAT NEWS! Although the 1million has been approved to be allocated to the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program it wont be coming at the expense of NOAA's budget and it looks like 500k has been reallocated to help fund NOAA's operations from its parent, the Department of Commerce.
H.R.2847 - Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010
H.Amdt213
Summary of Amendment:
An amendment numbered 19 printed in the congressional Record to increase appropriations for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration operations, research, and facilities by $500,000 and decrease appropriations for the Department of Commerce salaries and expenses by $500,000.
Vote result:PASS
Source: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h2847/amendments?page=1
H.Amdt239
Summary of Amendment:
An amendment numbered 86 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used for the Innovative Science Learning Center of Science South, Florence, South Carolina, and decrease the appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration cross agency support by $500,000.
Vote results: FAIL
Source: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h2847/amendments?page=3
H.Amdt240
Summary of Amendment:
An amendment numbered 85 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use for the Drew University Environmental Science Initiative of Drew University, Madison, New Jersey, and decrease the appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration cross agency support by $1 million.
Vote results: FAIL
Source: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h2847/amendments?page=3
S.Amdt2667
Summary of Amendment:
To reduce waste and abuse at the Department of Commerce.
Status: Amendment has only been offered and a vote has yet to be considered.
Source: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h2847/amendments?page=8
Last edited by a moderator:mikegeukes
EF5
I was reading WOOD-TV Weather Blog and read about this.
United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales)
is thinking about selling their MET office (United Kingdom Meteorological Office)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8312999.stm
Mike
Bart_Comstock
EF5
Don't tell Accuweather or they may just scoop it up!rdale
EF5
Since they're the largest weather company in the world - wouldn't that make sense? Or would you rather have it run by K-Mart?
Danny Neal
EF5
Hey if we can ship him over-seas, I think everybody wins..... except the UK!Similar threads
