Student Volunteer Program

SUMMER STUDENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOREHEAD CITY, NC

NWS Morehead City is not able to host any student volunteers for summer 2025. Please check back after January 1st, 2026 for info about the 2026 student volunteer program.

DESCRIPTION

The summer student volunteer program provides students the opportunity to learn about the science of weather forecasting and the role of the National Weather Service in building a Weather Ready Nation. Students will also complete a guided research project targeting a better understanding of local forecast challenges or past significant events. Leadership and professional development are also a focus of the program.

The summer student volunteer program, though not a paying position, has many benefits for students and graduates. Competition for entry level positions with the NWS remains high, and it has proven beneficial for applicants for entry level positions to have prior organizational experience. Several of our previous volunteers have gone on to graduate school, jobs within the National Weather Service, and private sector positions in the field of meteorology. Through pre-arranged coordination with their university, students may also be able to receive college credit for volunteer time with the NWS.

In-person participation in this program is preferred for the benefit of the student. The student will be responsible for securing local housing for the summer, with recommendations available upon request. There are ample seasonal jobs in the area and scheduling accommodations will be made to the extent possible for other employment.

EXPECTATIONS

Expectations of the summer student volunteers at NWS Morehead City include:

Each volunteer will complete a minimum of 120 volunteer hours (research, virtual learning, webinars, etc.) between May and August.
The volunteer will conduct a guided research project and present this research to the staff at the end of the internship.
Volunteers will complete a core set of training modules.
Volunteers will routinely attend hands-on training sessions on NWS programs, operational forecasting, and leadership/professional development.
Volunteers will participate in routine leadership development training, and receive mentoring and coaching from current NWS employees.
Volunteers will have opportunities to participate in field operations, including storm spotter training, outreach events, storm surveys, etc.

REQUIREMENTS

The volunteer program is only open to current undergraduate or graduate level students:

Majoring in meteorology, or a related physical or social science.
Available to volunteer for at least 120 hours between May and August.
In good academic standing.

TO APPLY

The volunteer program is only open to current undergraduate or graduate level students. To apply, you will be asked to:

Fill out the online application.
Submit a resume.
Interviews will be conducted before selections are made.

PAST RESEARCH

Students are required to complete a research project during their time in the program. The research can cover a range of topics from specific forecasting challenges to significant event reviews. Previous student research topics include:

Wind Gust Climatology for Eastern North Carolina
Improving Sea Fog Recognition and Forecasts along the North Carolina Coast
Localized One Inch Hail study
Sea Surface Temperature Climatology
Severe Weather Climatology for Eastern North Carolina
Severe Wind and Downburst Potential study using RAOB
Updating Flood Impact Categories at Local Non-Forecast points
Coastal Flood/Storm Surge Inundation Research
The Use of WEMo along the North Carolina Intracoastal Waterway

CONTACT

If you have any questions, please email the NWS Morehead City at wxobs.mhx@noaa.gov.

NWS Morehead City is not able to host any student volunteers for summer 2025. Please check back after January 1st, 2026 for info about the 2026 student volunteer program.