NOAA scientists open window on STEM careers for STEAM Academy students

From weather forecasts to climate research, Mount Vernon STEAM Academy students got an inside look at rewarding careers in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) during a virtual visit from the agency’s professionals. 

The 45-minute session – led by scientists and staff from NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in Princeton, N.J. – highlighted the agency’s work in weather, climate and ocean science while providing the students with insight about career paths.

Dr. Veeshan “Vee” Narinesingh, a physical scientist at the GFDL, hosted the presentation titled “From the Surface of the Sun to the Bottom of the Sea,” which was delivered to students in Jason Anselmo’s Careers in STEM with Environmental Science class. 

“You probably heard of NASA, but you haven’t heard about NOAA,” Dr. Narinesingh told students. “And NOAA is actually super important to your everyday life without you probably even realizing it.”

He explained that NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce and has a broad public mission: protecting life and property, forecasting weather, monitoring hurricanes, studying climate change, supporting fisheries and marine ecosystems, mapping ocean floors and safeguarding coastal waters to make navigation safer.

He also described how the agency’s work extends beyond Earth’s oceans and atmosphere into what scientists call “space weather,” including monitoring activity on the sun that can affect communications and satellites.

“The sun has all different kinds of weather that then affects things like communication satellites on Earth,” he said.

Students asked pointed, practical questions throughout the session, including about salaries, financial aid, scholarship opportunities and how to enter federal service.

After scientific illustrator Anne Guthermann described her role translating complex research into clear visuals for publications and presentations, one student asked, “If you don’t mind me asking … what’s your yearly salary?” Ms. Guthermann explained that she currently works as a contractor and can advance over time. "This is my first job out of college,” she said, chuckling.

She explained that her role combines creativity with environmental science.

“I mostly create and refine graphics and illustrations to present scientific ideas in an accurate, accessible and professional manner,” she said, adding that her favorite assignment is drawing “really cute sea creatures.”

Dr. Narinesingh emphasized that NOAA careers can provide stable, competitive salaries and opportunities for advancement. Describing his own trajectory, he told students he started with a stipend while learning to code and building expertise.  

“It’s not like we’re making chump change either over here. NOAA is a good way to make a good living for yourself,” said the scientist.

Each presenter introduced themselves and outlined how their background led to NOAA and its mission-driven work.

Dr. Narinesingh shared a personal story about early academic struggles — then perseverance that ultimately led to a Ph.D. and a research career. 

“The first time I took physics, I was failing it, and I had to withdraw from the class,” he told students. “Now I really love my job. I would say that my job right now is my dream job.”

Dr. Gabriela Negrete Garcia, also a physical scientist at the lab, described moving to the United States at age 11, learning English and becoming the first in her family to attend college. 

“My favorite part of this job is creating products that can be used for other people and to really understand what people need,” she told the students and explained that her work focuses on modeling ocean conditions and impacts to fisheries and marine ecosystems. 

Rochelle LaRose, an administrative support specialist, outlined the behind-the-scenes work that keeps a major federal research lab running — from hiring and onboarding to travel coordination, safety, records management and more. 

She also explained that federal careers can be reached through multiple routes, including internships, contractor roles and direct hiring. “If you want to get in through the federal government, you have to apply through USAJobs,” she told students.

David Balkaran, a budget analyst with the Department of Commerce, described a path that combined sociology, government service and finance. He now monitors budgets, tracks expenditures, prepares reports and uses spreadsheet tools and data analysis.

“If you like numbers, definitely do it,” he told the class.

Brian Simmons, the District's CTE director, expressed his appreciation for the agency's outreach in Mount Vernon.

"The CTE department couldn’t be more excited to partner with NOAA to bring students incredible opportunities and exposure to inspiring career pathways in climatology. Teaming up with the science department and Dr. (Satish) Jagnandan makes this collaboration especially impactful," he said, referring to the director of Assessment, Mathematics and Science for the MVCSD.

"The sky is truly the limit with this partnership!” he added.

Dr. Narinesingh encouraged students to keep options open and to stay curious.  

“Not everybody ends up going to college, and that’s OK. Does anybody not know what they want to do? That’s OK, too. I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do in my life,” he said, jokingly.