NOAA/NWS Familiarization Sessions

National Center NOAA/NWS Familiarization Sessions for Students and Early-Career NWS Employees

The NWS Education and Outreach Working Group has organized a series of National Center familiarization sessions for any students (volunteers, Pathways, Hollings, EPP, etc.) and early-career employees affiliated with the National Weather Service.

These hour-long sessions are hosted by National Centers and NOAA line offices and start with an informational presentation and end with Q&A. As we work to build our future workforce, acquire/retain top talent and diversify our workforce, engaging students and early-career employees in developing an understanding of how their work and interests align with career possibilities is important. Although many are familiar with operations at the local level including Weather Forecast Offices, River Forecast Centers and Central Weather Service Units, most people are not as familiar with the work done and opportunities available at the National Centers.

While a single experience may spark an interest in STEM and NWS mission disciplines, it takes more than that to keep students engaged. This is one of many of the efforts across our agency to provide opportunities and resources for students to learn about NWS-related careers. For a current list of opportunities for students in the NWS, visit www.weather.gov/students and www.weather.gov/careers. If you have any questions, please contact Erik Heden (erik.heden@noaa.gov), Kurt Kotenberg (kurt.kotenberg@noaa.gov), Mary Fairbanks (mary.fairbanks@noaa.gov), or John Banghoff (john.banghoff@noaa.gov).