It's more than just a workplace

Could you briefly describe your experience being part of the Graduate Scheme and how it’s helped you to secure the role you’re in now? 

Being part of the Met Office Graduate Scheme has been an invaluable experience, allowing me to work across different teams and gain exposure to a variety of technical challenges. Each placement has provided me with hands-on experience in software development, cloud technologies, and service support. For example, my work with the Verification team, who play a key role in ensuring quality and reliability of observational data, improved my coding and testing skills. Additionally, my time in Defence Solutions Delivery, who deliver high quality IT-solutions to meet operational needs, taught me how to manage live systems used by customers. The scheme has helped me develop a well-rounded skill set, improve my problem-solving abilities, and gain confidence working in Agile teams. This was crucial in securing my current role as a Developer in our Operational Technology team. 

How have the Met Office invested in your personal and professional development? 

The Met Office has invested in my development in several ways, from structured training sessions to opportunities for hands-on learning through real-world projects. During my placements, I’ve been encouraged to take on challenging tasks, such as leading presentations and working on complex system integrations. I’ve also had access to technical workshops, mentorship from experienced colleagues, and support for learning new technologies like Amazon Web Services and Azure. The ability to rotate through different teams has provided me with a broad skill set, making me more adaptable and well-prepared for future roles. 

What have you achieved at the Met Office as part of the Graduate Scheme that you’re particularly proud of? 

One of my proudest achievements has been my contributions to improving the VerPy system, which is a Python-based verification library developed and maintained by the Verification team. I helped refactor parts of the codebase to improve readability and maintainability, and I implemented unit tests to ensure the system's stability.  

What do you feel makes the Met Office a great place to work? 

I feel the Met Office is a great place to work because of the people, the variety of opportunities, and the culture of collaboration and innovation. Across my different placements, I’ve experienced first-hand how supportive and knowledgeable my colleagues are.  

During my time with the Verification team, I was encouraged to take ownership of my work on the VerPy library, improving its functionality and learning from others who were always happy to share their expertise. When I joined the Defence Solutions Delivery team, I worked on configuring the Visual Weather systems and setting up infrastructure in Amazon Web Services which we served to our defence clients. I appreciated how different defence development teams came together to solve problems and deliver critical solutions.  

In the Informatics Lab, I’ve had the chance to work on the MLint project and gain hands-on experience with cloud technologies like Azure, which has pushed me to keep learning and evolving. For me, the Met Office is more than just a workplace; it’s a place where I’ve been able to grow both technically and personally, while contributing to projects that have a real-world impact.  

How do people react when you tell them what you do and where you work?  

They normally ask me what the weather is going to be today. Many associate us with weather forecasting, but are surprised to learn about the cutting-edge technology and scientific research that goes on behind the scenes. When I explain that I work on software systems that support critical operations, such as aviation and defence, they’re usually fascinated by the level of innovation and real-world impact of the work we do. 

What one thing amazes you about the Met Office? 

One thing that amazes me about the Met Office is the sheer scale and complexity of its operations. It’s impressive how teams across different disciplines - from meteorologists to software engineers - overcome this complexity through collaborating to deliver accurate forecasts and vital services. The blend of science, technology, and real-world impact makes it a truly unique place to work. 

This blog was published in November 2025.