Opportunities for Students at NWS Paducah

Shadowing

Status: Accepting Students

Students enrolled in high school or in college are welcome to visit our office to shadow for a day. You'll see what our staff does on a day-to-day basis, and learn what skills and courses you need to work for the National Weather Service. Here are details about shadowing at NWS Paducah:

Who Can Shadow: Students enrolled in high school or in college with an interest in pursuing a career in meteorology. Students will need to have transportation to our office. 

When Can Students Shadow: Students may shadow year-round, though periods may be limited due to staff availability. 

Other Details:

• A day shadowing typically lasts three to six hours, mainly between 10 AM and 4 PM on weekdays. 
• Parents, guardians, or teachers of a student shadowing are welcome to be in the office while they shadow. 

How to Arrange a Shadowing Experience: Contact Derrick Snyder by email at derrick.snyder@noaa.gov. 

Virtual Volunteer: Fall and Spring Semesters

Status: Not Accepting Applications at This Time. 

College students studying atmospheric science, meteorology, climatology, hydrology, or a related field who are interested in volunteering but are not local to the Paducah area can apply to be a virtual student volunteer. A virtual student volunteer will work with a mentor at NWS Paducah on a research project during either the fall or spring semesters. At the end of the semester, the student will present their research project to the office. Here are more details about being a virtual student volunteer. Please note that space is limited.

Virtual Student Volunteers Must Meet the Following Mandatory Qualifications: 

1. Be enrolled at least half time in an atmospheric science, meteorology, climatology, hydrology, or a related program at a college or university. 
2. Have completed your freshman year. 
3. Be available to commit one to three hours per week during either the fall or spring semester to work on a research project and meet with their mentor.
4. Have approval from their academic advisor at their school and earn credit hours for the volunteer experience. 

How to Apply:

1. After getting approval from your academic advisor, write a statement of interest introducing yourself, when you would like to volunteer (either spring or fall semester), and what kind of research project you would be interested in doing (example: a review of recent extreme weather or climate event). Email your statement of interest to Derrick Snyder at derrick.snyder@noaa.gov.
2. Once we receive your statement of interest, we will arrange to find a mentor to help guide your research and to provide any documentation necessary for you to receive course credit for the volunteering experience. 
3. Before you begin volunteering, we will need additional documentation such as a resume and a copy of your transcript (unofficial copies are OK). 

For More Information:

Please email questions to Derrick Snyder at derrick.snyder@noaa.gov. 

In-Person Volunteer: Summer

Status: Not Accepting Applications at This Time. 

Students studying atmospheric science, meteorology, climatology, hydrology, or a related field who have completed their sophomore year can apply to be an in-person summer student volunteer. Volunteers will shadow forecasters and staff at our office, go on outreach visits to core partners, and work on a research project that will be presented to the staff at the end of the semester. Space is limited to one to three students per summer, depending on staff availability. Recruiting for summer student volunteers takes place during the spring semester. Below are details on how to apply: 

In-Person Student Volunteers Must Meet the Following Mandatory Qualifications: 

1. Be enrolled at least half time in an atmospheric science or meteorology program at a college or university. 
2. Have completed your sophomore year. 
3. Be available to commit at least eight hours per week in person in our office. Ideally, student volunteers will be in the office 16 to 24 hours per week, but we can work with your schedule to fit your needs. Some work with your summer research project may be able to be completed virtually. 

How to Apply:

Please email the following information in separate PDF files to derrick.snyder@noaa.gov using the email subject "Summer Student Volunteer Application."

1. A resume containing the following information:
   • Legal name.
   • Preferred name or nickname (if applicable). 
   • Email address.
   • Mailing address.
   • Phone number.
   • The university you are attending, your major, and your anticipated graduation date.
   • Contact information for your academic advisor.
   • Work, volunteer, and leadership experiences you have done either inside and outside of school. 
   • Any academic, professional, or personal references. 
2. A copy of your most recent college transcript (unofficial transcripts are OK).
3. A one or two page statement of interest introducing yourself, why you would like to be a student volunteer, and what you hope to learn from this experience. 

Typical Application Timeline:

1. Applications Period Opens: Typically January through the middle of March. 
2. Reviewing Applications: Late March.
3. Interviews with Finalists Scheduled: Early April. 
4. Finalists Interviewed: Early to mid-April.
5. Final Selections: Late April. 
6. Security Clearance Process for Volunteers: May. 

For More Information:

Please email questions to Derrick Snyder at derrick.snyder@noaa.gov.