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FAQ: Do I really want to work in TV News/Weather when I grow up?
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4) To forecast on TV, do you also need a communications degree? Not at all. It's better to have any kind of science degree. A communications degree isn't worth much. Study a skill you like and learn how to speak well. Take a few electives that might help in TV and do a weather internship somewhere. If you are good on camera you may be able to start at a small market TV station before you even get out of school! For TV the most important thing is that you can explain things well and relate to the viewer...not make them feel like you're little miss smarty pants. Who wants to watch someone that talks down to them and makes them feel stupid?! 5) What's the salary like starting out? My first job was only $6.25/hour! But 4 months later I was offered a job for $25,000 in a nearby market that saw my work. 2 years later I was contacted and signed with an agent who got me a job that more than quadrupled that amount...and it just got better from there! No matter what you choose to study...don't worry about how much you will make. I changed my major a ton of times because of that and all that worry was a waste of time. As long as you are doing something you really LOVE to do you succeed at it. If you are doing it for the $$ chances are you won't get nearly as far as someone who is doing it for fun. 6) Do you have to move around the country in order to achieve a higher career? It's pretty rare to be able to stay put and it can really slow down your career progress too. You need to start in a small TV market (I started in Missoula, MT). It's pretty hard to move up at a station...especially if you are a Meteorologist and there are only 3 jobs. The last station I worked at had the same chief Meteorologist for 25 years! Ironically he left the station while I was there, but they still looked all over the country for a replacement...something about "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence" You'll be less frustrated if you figure you'll move a lot early in your career and think of it as an exiting adventure (and it REALLY is). Once you get to larger markets they pay for the whole move anyway so it's not much of a hassle. It's fun to see new places and make new friends. Once you've established yourself in a career you can certainly decide to settle down and stay put more easily. 7) Was is harder for you to become a meteorologist because your a girl, in a fairly male dominated career? In some ways it was easier because there aren't as many women in weather that have a strong science background so there are always stations looking for female meteorologists and there aren't nearly as many out there. Most male meteorologists are twice my age so I feel fortunate to have great career opportuinties at such a young age. However, sometimes it's hard because the guys think you only got the job because you are a woman...and sometimes they aren't very nice about it. Once they find out you do know your stuff they are usually fine but it is annoying to get called a weather-girl when you are a meteorologist and worked just as hard as the guys did to get your credentials! 8) What made you want to become a meteorologist? My geology advisor suggested it to me! I'd never thought of it. I've always loved perfoming and was singing at a restaurant while I was in school. I think my quick success came because I was comfortable in front of people AND had a strong science background. You really need both to succeed in TV. Take every public speaking opportunity you get. I've had some embarrassing moments along the way...but once you fall on your face once or twice you aren't as terrified about it (the sun does still come up the next day). Try to get that fear of failure out of the way now and you will be invincible later! I did a lot of performing when I was younger but I still looked like a nervous idiot my first day on the air...but no one remembers that now. ; ) 9) While at work, is it very social and fun, or very businesslike? Well I make it fun! Some people are very serious ...but I threaten to sing in front of the weather wall if they take too long to tape my updates (really annoying stuff like Stormy Weather and Summertime). I love to play jokes on people, and part of your job when chatting with the anchors is to be your fun old self...especially in the morning shows. The biggest mistake I see people make in TV is that they take themselves too seriously and viewers can tell they aren't being themselves and tend to dislike them. You must always be professional and do your job well so people know they can count on you, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun! |
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