Why I Want To Be a Certified Consulting Meteorologist

Meteorology is an increasingly integral part of business, industry and even personal activities. Many applications require more specific tailoring than the general interest weather products can provide, which are taken on by private consultants. Many fields, such as accounting or computing, have certification programs to provide corroboration of one’s competency in the field, and meteorology is no different. As there is no government regulation of who can call themselves a meteorologist, the American Meteorological Society has set up a program of verifying a consultant’s knowledge of their specific interest, labeling them Certified Consulting Meteorologists (CCMs).

The Certified Consulting Meteorologist program provides the public a way to identify individuals who have attained the knowledge necessary for specific applications. Without government regulation, anyone can say that they are a consulting meteorologist, without having done any work to obtain such a title. The CCM program requires not only a university degree, but also rigorous testing, and ongoing maintenance of that person’s education.

Once in the program, one can not fall behind the activities of their specialty. There is an incentive to stay current with the latest developments in this rapidly evolving scientific area. Documentation of one’s continued professional growth is required to show that they are qualified in the progress that has been made. It is essential to take advantage of the most up to date and accurate information to best serve the public.

An individual who becomes a CCM stands above the rest, and must continue to provide the excellence of the professional activity that is expected of them. If they do not show professionalism and good character in their work, it does not reflect well on others with the title, so continued verification of one’s competency is required.

For myself, being a CCM will indicate to others what I have accomplished and that I am qualified to assist others using my expertise. It will show that I have not only academic proficiency, but that I have a strong working knowledge that can be put into use professionally.