Article Provided By ORTA Team
Figure 1. Abby Arnold (front row, right) from the Office of Research, Transition, and Application and members of the Mizzou Women in Meteorology Club (Photo Credit: Sophie Sallot).
On January 23rd, 2024, Abby Arnold from the NOAA’s Office of Research, Transition, and Application (ORTA) spoke to around 20 students at the University of Missouri – Columbia’s Mizzou Women in Meteorology Club. The purpose of the organization is to provide educational, professional, social, and service opportunities for women enrolled at the University of Missouri that are interested in meteorology.
Abby Arnold, an alumnus from the University of Missouri’s atmospheric science department, was invited by the Women in Meteorology Club to speak about her current ORTA position, as well as other opportunities within NOAA. She also shared what her experience has been as a woman working in a STEM field.
The students had an opportunity to hear about ORTA’s mission and learn about the transition process. They learned how ORTA facilitates the development of transition plans that outline the roadmap for moving NOAA research and development into use. These innovations help meet mission requirements of science, service, and stewardship to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts to yield societal and economic benefits. The students were also able to hear about internship opportunities, career paths, and learn more about the organizational structure of NOAA.
After the presentation, students were able to engage in an informal question and answer session, talking one-on-one about the students’ interests, office-specific programs, and internship opportunities.
The students were very engaging and energetic and asked great questions about NOAA’s mission and the mission of ORTA. Many of the students in particular were interested to learn about NOAA’s internship opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. They also had an interest in the research and development transition process.