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FAQ: Do I really want to work in TV News/Weather when I grow up?
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| Hi, my name is Amista and I live in Vancouver, Washington. My friend Shannon gave me your email so that I could possibly correspond to you, and talk about your field of work. I have been seriously thinking about becoming a meteorologist for about five years now, I love the weather (especially cloud formation, and tornados) but lately I have been having small doubts about whether or not meteorology is the right choice for my future. I'm currently a freshman at Clark College, our local community college here in Vancouver. But I have some questions about meteorology that I can't seem to find the answers to. I was hoping that you and I could email a little bit so that I could get a better understanding of what you do, and some of the challenges of the job. If you don't mind doing this I would really appreciate it. -Amista I would absolutely love to help...send me all your questions. ; ) Christine I have a lot, of questions, so i'll just list them 1) I hate doing math, I love science, but math just takes so much time and effort. Is the math involved with getting a meteorologist degree really intense? 2) Do you have to do math all the time, or just every once in a while? 3) What college did you go to, and what degrees did you earn? 4) To forecast on TV, do you also need a communications degree? 5) What's the salary like starting out? 6) Do you have to move around the country in order to acheive a higher career? 7) Was is harder for you to become a meteorologist because your a girl, in a fairly male dominated career? 8) What made you want to become a meteorologist? 9) While at work, is it very social and fun, or very businesslike? 10) What are the hours like? Is is possible to have a family, and be a meteorologist? Well that's all I can think of now, im sure I have forgotten about half of them. Thank you again for this, it's going to be so helpful. -Amista HI Amista! These are great questions...I have added answers below. It sounds like we could have a nice long conversation about this with all these great questions so feel free to give me a call too. = ) Christine Clayburg Q and A 1) I hate doing math, I love science, but math just takes so much time and effort. Is the math involved with getting a meteorologist degree really intense? I hated math too and it is very hard. Just figure you will have to spend a lot more time at it in school that you would in any other class. I never even had to study for most my liberal arts classes but I dropped Chemistry twice before I finally passed it. Once you get it down it's actually kind of fun...but not unless you spend a ton of time studying. Find good study partners and it becomes fun. Anyway...it doesn't go on forever... and it's well worth the trouble. A science degree gives you a lot more options in life than an easy liberal arts or communication degree. If you still hate math after a year of extra effort you can look into an atmospheric science or earth science degree..(and actually these are fine for TV weather) You may need to take a few more weather courses to qualify for certification with the NWA (National Weather Association) and the AMS (American Meteorological Association. 2) Do you have to do math all the time, or just every once in a while? Hardly ever! ...and when I do it's easy stuff like figuring out averages....I kind of miss math! 3) What college did you go to, and what degrees did you earn? I worked my way through school...started as a Geology Major (very cool and fun) so I ended up going to 5 schools while moving around the country early in my career! Most of my classes were done through Sacramento State University where I was a geology major and Mississippi State University (they have a great distance learning program for TV meteorologists...which is great if you get a job offer in another state). I ended up with a B.S. in Geoscience (kind of like earth science but more geology). <Continue Reading> |
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