March 30, 2010
A few Air Quality Professionals
What do air quality professionals do with themselves? Air quality is more and more often perceived as being vastly important to the immediate future of the planet. Those who are considering careers in science should be aware of the growing trend towards a business-like approach to meeting the needs of atmospheric science in this age.
While it's true that not all air quality professionals are fortunate enough to discover a Quasi SuperNormal Incremental Precipitation Inducer, there are a few perks. One such benefit might be to occasionally cross paths with meteorological eye candy, or to chase the odd tornado (which just might impress said eye candy).
Examples of work assignments
In the process, some air quality professionals help save lives and property by using talent and perseverance to keep track of climatic trends and changes in air quality -- perhaps near the ski resort which aforementioned eye candy visits every winter. And they say that brains never get the girl!Defining the educational and training standards for air quality professionals is an evolving process in Canada. Just as the science of meteorology is readjusting its focus to meet the concerns of environmental impact at large, the skills and education which go in to practicing within this interdisciplinary group sciences must undergo review and revision where necessary.
ECO Canada.
It's safe to say that great lipstick and nice hair will always play a role in informing the public of the conditions outside. But feeding the correct information to the disseminators requires something more than tight sweaters and makeup. Just what that something is is the focus of a study being conducted by ECO Canada. It to promote recognition for just what the skills and qualifications are that air quality professionals must possess, set guideposts for developing education and training in the field of meteorology, and make potential candidates aware of the career opportunities and paths available to them.The current trend toward greening-for-profit among major corporations has cast a more entrepreneurial image for environmental professionals, and this image is not illusory. Calvin Consulting Group Ltd. of Calgary, Alberta is one group of professional research consultants is sometimes on the lookout for qualified air quality professionals.
One such position with the company, that of Air Quality Scientist, involves more than simply playing in the laboratory. Spending a great deal of time in the field, this group conducts air assessments, helps form plans for emissions reduction of sulphur and nitrogen compounds and does air dispersion modelling. All of this is in addition to liaising with clients and completing many other duties not typically associated with the image of a white lab-coated scientist.
The need to back up the weather babe in this age of environmental consciousness has elicited both broader meteorological skill sets, and firmer definitions of standards for those skills. Companies such as Calvin Consulting are exploring the market for what skills are useful and profitable, while ECO Canada's study is a major move to define what those skills are.