If the end of the world ever comes, atmospheric scientists will be the ones to tell us about it. They may not have crystal balls, but these watchers of the sea and air do have powerful computer programs (and research skills) that help them to predict the future. Employed by governments and TV stations around the world, atmospheric scientists work in weather stations and laboratories, measuring temperature, air pressure, and other properties of the atmosphere (the envelope of air surrounding our planet). By doing so, they can warn us about coming hurricanes, tornadoes, and flash floods, as well as long-term issues like climate change. Though sometimes the work can be unpredictable (as anyone who's been soaked in a surprise downpour knows), that's what makes this job so interesting—every day is different.