At this time, 博体育 Wilmington is unable to accept applications for student volunteers. We hope to restart the program fall 2025 or spring 2026.
The 博体育 Wilmington, NC Forecast Office accepts applications annually for volunteer college students. Students may request to volunteer during spring, summer, or fall semesters. This program provides students with the experience of performing a mentored meteorological/hydrological research or data project while assisting in operations at an 博体育 forecast office. Each selected student will present a briefing of his/her project at the end of the volunteer period. Please see below for more information about our program.
Volunteer 2-4 days (12-24 hours) per week at minimum, combination of operational volunteering, training, and project work, on an agreed to schedule
Work on an assigned research project or data project, mentored by an 博体育 meteorologist
Become familiar with 博体育 operations, policies and procedures, software and computer systems, and hydrological/meteorological products by working alongside 博体育 meteorologists on routine shifts
There will be a required minimum number of these shifts, but the maximum number is up to you!
Complete a required list of training modules for additional insight into the 博体育 organization and programs
Students interested in this program must be U.S. Citizens pursuing a degree in meteorology or a related science (such as climatology, hydrology, geoscience, atmospheric science, mathematics, etc.), and must be a full-time student actively enrolled in related classes both the semester before and the semester after the volunteer period. What this means is graduating seniors are only eligible (for the summer period) if already accepted to/enrolled in graduate school in meteorology or a related field the following fall. Students who already have an active interest in a future career with the 博体育 are especially encouraged to apply; however, participation in this program is not a guarantee of future employment with the 博体育.
Students with additional skill sets such as GIS, emergency management, videography, communications, engineering, etc. are highly encouraged to apply as long as the degree requirements above are met.
In addition to the required elements of our volunteer program, you may have the opportunity to:
Join 博体育 meteorologists in post-event severe weather analysis including storm surveys
Assist 博体育 meteorologists in obtaining severe storm reports during real-time operations
Join 博体育 meteorologists at outreach events or in observational fieldwork to see weather equipment in action, and more!
The 博体育 Wilmington Student Volunteer Program is not a paid program; however, it may be possible for students to earn class credit. This can be determined by the student’s advisor and/or department head.
Students selected for this program do have the option to continue volunteering beyond the original program period, if eligible and interested.
To allow time for application review and required security checks, please submit applications by the following dates:
Spring Semester - November 1st closed
Summer Semester - April 1st closed
Fall Semester - July 1st closed
To submit an application, fill out our College Student Volunteer Application. Send the completed application and additional required items (listed on the application) to Donald Hawkins at donald.hawkins@noaa.gov.
The 博体育 as an agency does offer paid internship positions; however, none of these have been assigned to this office at this time.
2023: Develop a climatology of MVFR, IFR, and LIFR visibilities at local TAF sites
2023: Investigate analog events for storm surge levels at local beaches and Downtown Wilmington
2023: Historical Review of River Levels and Coastal Flooding on the Cape Fear River near Downtown Wilmington, NC
2022: Past Erosion/Ocean Overwash Events at Local Beaches - Anna Miller (UNCW)
Contact Donald Hawkins (donald.hawkins@noaa.gov)
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