The second author attended the NCAR Undergraduate Leadership Workshop (http://www.ucar.edu/educ_outreach/ulw/ULWbrochure2003.html) during the summer of 2003 in order to explore research and career opportunities in the atmospheric and related sciences. Her application was selected based on her academic achievement, potential for research, and interest in leadership development as well as her commitment as a NWS SCEP. Participation was important because it provided a sense of administrative leadership integrated with scientific study. This will leverage her anticipated graduate work once degree requirements have been completed. The experiences in the program will benefit her academically and promote her professional development as evidenced by renewed vigor in her participation and leadership in student organizations at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. She expects that the most interesting part of the workshop will be the wide range of opportunities presented for graduate work, both in operational and research roles, and the chance to experience the diversity within the field of professionals and her own peer group. This experience will present several career pathways for what she will do within the field of atmospheric and related sciences and provide her the leadership and leverage principles necessary to succeed.