Young Women Who Work in SET

Name Vanessa O'Brien

Job Title Meteorologist

Area of SECT Science

Name of Organisation British Antarctic Survey

Website address www.antarctica.ac.uk

Qualifications
GCSEs - Maths, English, Science, Geography, French, German, Media Studies, Design Technology and Catering
A-Levels - Maths, Physics and Geography BSc - Meteorology and Oceanography (Hons)

What does your job involve?
I lived in the Antarctic for 2 years from 2004 to 2006. I made weather observations every three hours and launched a weather balloon daily. I was responsible for air chemistry experiments, which included collecting airborne particles on filter papers, digging snow samples and collecting air samples. I made regular measurements of the ozone layer using a spectrophotometer. All of the data collected are saved as part of a long-term data set. The long-term data provide evidence of ‘normal’ conditions and how the local area fluctuates. Much of the data are used in climate change science, either to verify and correct climate models or to calibrate ice cores.

How did you get to where you are today?
Determination, enthusiasm.

What or who influenced your choice of career?
A lifelong interest in the weather, the desire to work in unusual environments. My Biology teacher was a big influence when I was at school. She first introduced me to BAS and what job opportunities were available.

What do you love about your job?
Everything! The Antarctic is a challenging place to work and living there you meet people from many backgrounds.

What's been the highpoint of your career?
Working on experiments during the Antarctic winter and fixing any broken machines. Being able to do that with limited technical support is very rewarding.

What is the best advice you've received?
Be yourself, don’t bow down to peer pressure.

What are the most important skills in your job?
To be a good communicator and to be able to adapt to difficult situations with ease.

Do you need to wear special clothes for work?
Yes! Lots of specially manufactured insulating clothing and in a layering system.