Astronaut to weather forecaster
An astronaut already meets 17% of what the weather forecaster role asks for. The move turns on 10 required skills not yet in the profile.
73.8/ 100
1 How much of what a weather forecaster is expected to do is already part of an astronaut’s work. Directional: the figure for the reverse move differs, because moving into a speciality is not the same problem as moving out of one. 2 Every skill the weather forecaster role is recorded as needing, required and optional together. What these numbers mean.
Why this move works
A weather forecaster role treats 2 of its required skills as things an astronaut already does. You would walk in with these on day one.
- analyse weather forecast
- use specialised computer models for weather forecasting
What stands in the way is 10 required skills the profile does not yet cover. Table 3 groups them; Table 4 says which to take first.
Table 2 · What you already bring
Of the 4 skills that carry over, these are the ones fewest other occupations ask for. A weather forecaster role needs them, and most people applying for one will not have them already. This is the part of an astronaut background worth leading with.
- already held use specialised computer models for weather forecasting information skills
- already held conduct research on climate processes information skills
- already held analyse weather forecast information skills
- already held physics natural sciences, mathematics and statistics
All 4 carried skills, including the 2 the weather forecaster role treats as required.
Table 3 · What you may need to learn
The 19 missing skills fall into 5 areas of the ESCO skill hierarchy, numbered in the order worth working in. Areas carrying the most required skills come first, and inside each one the required skills sit above the optional ones. Nothing here is a verdict on you: it is a list of what this particular job asks for that your current one does not.
- still to learn breathing techniques required
- still to learn pronunciation techniques required
- still to learn vocal techniques required
- optional, not held audiovisual equipment optional
- optional, not held lighting techniques optional
- optional, not held photography optional
- still to learn memorise lines required
- still to learn present during live broadcasts required
- still to learn read pre-drafted texts required
- optional, not held adopt a relaxed posture optional
- optional, not held develop instrumentation systems optional
- optional, not held work with a voice coach optional
- still to learn review meteorological forecast data required
- still to learn use meteorological tools to forecast meteorological conditions required
- optional, not held carry out meteorological research optional
- optional, not held develop models for weather forecast optional
- still to learn meteorology required
- optional, not held mathematics optional
- still to learn use data processing techniques required
Table 4 · Where to start
The 3 entries a weather forecaster role is least likely to hire without. The ordering is computed from the skill data, not from what pays.
- 01 memorise lines practise this
- 02 present during live broadcasts practise this
- 03 read pre-drafted texts practise this
Each entry opens a course search for that skill. Career Overlap earns nothing from these links.
Appendix · The rest of the record
All 4 skills that carry over
- already held analyse weather forecast skill
- already held use specialised computer models for weather forecasting skill
- already held conduct research on climate processes skill
- already held physics knowledge
9 supplementary skills, helpful but not required
- optional, not held adopt a relaxed posture optional
- optional, not held audiovisual equipment optional
- optional, not held carry out meteorological research optional
- optional, not held develop instrumentation systems optional
- optional, not held develop models for weather forecast optional
- optional, not held lighting techniques optional
- optional, not held mathematics optional
- optional, not held photography optional
- optional, not held work with a voice coach optional
27 held skills the weather forecaster role does not ask for
- not needed by the target role address aircraft mechanical issues skill
- not needed by the target role aircraft mechanics knowledge
- not needed by the target role collect data using GPS skill
- not needed by the target role collect geological data skill
- not needed by the target role consider time zones in execution of work skill
- not needed by the target role deal with challenging work conditions skill
- not needed by the target role fluid mechanics knowledge
- not needed by the target role gather experimental data skill
- not needed by the target role geographic information systems knowledge
- not needed by the target role geostationary satellites knowledge
- not needed by the target role global navigation satellite system performance parameters knowledge
- not needed by the target role interpret graphical communication interfaces skill
- not needed by the target role interpret visual literacy skill
- not needed by the target role launching of satellites into orbit knowledge
- not needed by the target role mechanics knowledge
- not needed by the target role operate 3D computer graphics software skill
- not needed by the target role operate GPS systems skill
- not needed by the target role operate gas extraction equipment skill
- not needed by the target role perform gravity measurements skill
- not needed by the target role perform scientific experiments in space skill
- not needed by the target role plan space satellite missions skill
- not needed by the target role research satellite launch sites skill
- not needed by the target role test oxygen purity skill
- not needed by the target role transfer oxygen skill
- not needed by the target role types of satellites knowledge
- not needed by the target role use communication equipment skill
- not needed by the target role use different communication channels skill
8 gaps that are knowledge rather than practice
Knowledge gaps usually close through study. Practical skill gaps usually need something you can point at.
- still to learn breathing techniques required
- still to learn meteorology required
- still to learn pronunciation techniques required
- still to learn vocal techniques required
- optional, not held audiovisual equipment optional
- optional, not held lighting techniques optional
- optional, not held mathematics optional
- optional, not held photography optional
Other moves recorded from astronaut
Common questions about this move
Can an astronaut become a weather forecaster?
Yes, and it is a substantial move. An astronaut already covers 17% of what a weather forecaster is expected to do: 4 skills carry over, 2 of which the weather forecaster role treats as required.
What skills does an astronaut need to become a weather forecaster?
10 required skills are missing, plus 9 optional ones. They fall into 5 areas of the ESCO skill hierarchy, led by arts and humanities. The single most important is memorise lines.
How hard is the move from astronaut to weather forecaster?
Its learning distance is 73.8 out of 100, which is the substantial band. That accounts for both how much is missing and how specialised those skills are.
How this record was compiled
Both occupations are taken from ESCO, which lists the skills and knowledge each occupation is expected to have and marks every one required or optional. Nothing here is a prediction about hiring, and nothing here knows that a particular employer wants a particular certificate. Treat Table 3 as a starting point for your own research rather than a syllabus. The full method states what these figures can and cannot tell you.