Don’t like the weather in Michigan? Just wait five minutes, it will change.
If you live in the Great Lakes State, you’ve heard the jokes. You’ve probably experienced first-hand a sunny, 70- degree day; rain and hail; a possible tornado; and below-freezing temperatures with ice and snow—all in the same day.
If the challenge of delivering a Michigan weather forecast in front of millions of people sounds exciting, you may be a broadcast meteorologist in the making!
As a broadcast meteorologist, you’ll be among the faces and voices the community trusts (and recognizes in line at the local grocery store).
Your polished communication skills, quick decision making, and broad knowledge about the world’s weather have prepared you well to deliver the weather live or recorded, scripted or unscripted.
Your self-confidence shows as you maintain a professional, consistent on-air presence—even during exciting times.
Whether delivering the weekly forecast, a tornado warning, or predictions of snow that delight children throughout Michigan, you’ll be there to inform, entertain and educate your audience.
More than just a job.
A career in broadcast media is more than a job, it’s a way of life. This position is not your usual 9-5 workweek or an easy paycheck. But then, most things worth doing aren’t typical or easy. If this excites you, keep reading because it gets better.
Community outreach is a big part of the broadcast media industry. You’ll love getting out into the community to help local nonprofits and charities in need of a platform. And, it’s a lot of fun when the community comes into the station, too. On any given day you may run into the Pet of the Week, a local artist, a chef, or Teacher of the Year.
You’ll meet people from all walks of life, so you’ll need to be comfortable talking to people. This incredible cast of characters can include anyone from local heroes and everyday citizens to international celebs in sports, music and the arts.
Preparation
Preparation
If a career as a broadcast meteorologist is in your forecast, there are many things you can do now to prepare. Here a few ideas.
•
Take high school and college-level coursework in meteorology and atmospheric science. A bachelor’s degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, electronic media, or journalism is required for these positions.
•
There’s no substitute for experience. Consider job shadowing or completing an internship at a TV or radio station to help determine if a career in broadcast media is the right climate for you.
•
If your school has a broadcast radio and/or TV station, take advantage of the hands-on experience and the opportunity to network with others who share your interests.
•
Develop your written and verbal communication skills and practice presenting weather information on camera.
•
Experience with weather forecasting software and data analysis is important, and you’ll get bonus points for knowing how to use broadcast equipment and software.
Do you have the right stuff?
What does it take?
There’s a lot to gain from a career in broadcasting. But what does it take to be a successful meteorologist at a TV or radio station? Quite a bit actually!
Here are eight personal traits that will help you stand out as a top candidate:
Weather and climate buff: You are passionate and curious about the world, weather, climate, and environment, and skilled at predicting weather patterns. It may be your personal goal to eradicate jokes about the (in)accuracy of forecasts.
Analytical problem-solver: You love diving into complex data sets, finding clues, and solving puzzles in order to deliver accurate predictions.
An eye for detail: You’re precise in your work and understand that a tiny error in your work can lead to big consequences in forecasting!
Clear communicator: Written reports, presentations, and on-air broadcasts all require solid communication skills. Colleagues and audiences alike appreciate your easy, straightforward communication style.
Technically adept: You’re comfortable using industry tools and software to analyze weather data.
Cool under pressure: You’re cool, calm, and collected, regardless of the barometer. Weather is unpredictable. You’re ready to make quick decisions or adjust your forecast in response to changing conditions.
Part of the team: You’re selfless and a team player. Often working in teams, you’ll collaborate with others to share reliable information and develop accurate forecasts.
Polished presence: Your camera/mic presence is essential, and it doesn’t require that you look like a model or have a silky-smooth voice. To have a successful on-air career, you do need to be someone that people want to watch, follow, and listen to. Being appealing on camera is about charisma, confidence, and talent.
Don’t like the weather in Michigan? Just wait five minutes, it will change.
If you live in the Great Lakes State, you’ve heard the jokes. You’ve probably experienced first-hand a sunny, 70- degree day; rain and hail; a possible tornado; and below-freezing temperatures with ice and snow—all in the same day.
If the challenge of delivering a Michigan weather forecast in front of millions of people sounds exciting, you may be a broadcast meteorologist in the making!
As a broadcast meteorologist, you’ll be among the faces and voices the community trusts (and recognizes in line at the local grocery store).
Your polished communication skills, quick decision making, and broad knowledge about the world’s weather have prepared you well to deliver the weather live or recorded, scripted or unscripted.
Your self-confidence shows as you maintain a professional, consistent on-air presence—even during exciting times.
Whether delivering the weekly forecast, a tornado warning, or predictions of snow that delight children throughout Michigan, you’ll be there to inform, entertain and educate your audience.
PREPARATION
If a career as a broadcast meteorologist is in your forecast, there are many things you can do now to prepare. Here a few ideas.
———
Take high school and college-level coursework in meteorology and atmospheric science. A bachelor’s degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, electronic media, or journalism is required for these positions.
———
There’s no substitute for experience. Consider job shadowing or completing an internship at a TV or radio station to help determine if a career in broadcast media is the right climate for you.
———
If your school has a broadcast radio and/or TV station, take advantage of the hands-on experience and the opportunity to network with others who share your interests.
———
Develop your written and verbal communication skills and practice presenting weather information on camera.
———
Experience with weather forecasting software and data analysis is important, and you’ll get bonus points for knowing how to use broadcast equipment and software.
More Than Just a Job
A career in broadcast media is more than a job, it’s a way of life. This position is not your usual 9-5 workweek or an easy paycheck. But then, most things worth doing aren’t typical or easy. If this excites you, keep reading because it gets better.
Community outreach is a big part of the broadcast media industry. You’ll love getting out into the community to help local nonprofits and charities in need of a platform. And, it’s a lot of fun when the community comes into the station, too. On any given day you may run into the Pet of the Week, a local artist, a chef, or Teacher of the Year.
You’ll meet people from all walks of life, so you’ll need to be comfortable talking to people. This incredible cast of characters can include anyone from local heroes and everyday citizens to international celebs in sports, music and the arts.
What does it take?
There’s a lot to gain from a career in broadcasting. But what does it take to be a successful meteorologist at a TV or radio station? Quite a bit actually!
Here are eight personal traits that will help you stand out as a top candidate:
Weather and climate buff: You are passionate and curious about the world, weather, climate, and environment, and skilled at predicting weather patterns. It may be your personal goal to eradicate jokes about the (in)accuracy of forecasts.
Analytical problem-solver: You love diving into complex data sets, finding clues, and solving puzzles in order to deliver accurate predictions.
An eye for detail: You’re precise in your work and understand that a tiny error in your work can lead to big consequences in forecasting!
Clear communicator: Written reports, presentations, and on-air broadcasts all require solid communication skills. Colleagues and audiences alike appreciate your easy, straightforward communication style.
Technically adept: You’re comfortable using industry tools and software to analyze weather data.
Cool under pressure: You’re cool, calm, and collected, regardless of the barometer. Weather is unpredictable. You’re ready to make quick decisions or adjust your forecast in response to changing conditions.
Part of the team: You’re selfless and a team player. Often working in teams, you’ll collaborate with others to share reliable information and develop accurate forecasts.
Polished presence: Your camera/mic presence is essential, and it doesn’t require that you look like a model or have a silky-smooth voice. To have a successful on-air career, you do need to be someone that people want to watch, follow, and listen to. Being appealing on camera is about charisma, confidence, and talent.
A Typical Day
A Typical Day
As a meteorologist, circumstances can be especially unpredictable. You’re flexible, enjoy a new challenge every day, and have the skills to analyze, interpret, and communicate about the weather. Your primary day-to-day tasks might include:
• Collecting and analyzing data from various sources, such as satellite images, weather stations, and computer models, to understand current weather conditions, and predict future weather patterns.
• Creating and updating weather forecasts, which may include temperature, precipitation, wind speed and direction, humidity, and other relevant information.
• Presenting the weather forecast in a clear, concise, and engaging manner to the audience, using graphics, maps, and other visual aids to help convey the information.
• Providing updates on severe weather events, such as storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, and offering safety tips and advice to help the public prepare and respond to these events.
• Collaborating with news teams to cover weather-related stories and provide context for how weather events may impact local communities, businesses, and daily life.
• Continuously staying informed about the latest developments in meteorology and climate science to ensure accurate and up-to-date information is provided to the public.
• Engaging with the audience through social media and other platforms to answer questions, provide additional information, and build rapport with viewers and listeners.
As a meteorologist, circumstances can be especially unpredictable. You’re flexible, enjoy a new challenge every day, and have the skills to analyze, interpret, and communicate about the weather. Your primary day-to-day tasks might include:
• Collecting and analyzing data from various sources, such as satellite images, weather stations, and computer models, to understand current weather conditions, and predict future weather patterns.
• Creating and updating weather forecasts, which may include temperature, precipitation, wind speed and direction, humidity, and other relevant information.
• Presenting the weather forecast in a clear, concise, and engaging manner to the audience, using graphics, maps, and other visual aids to help convey the information.
• Providing updates on severe weather events, such as storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, and offering safety tips and advice to help the public prepare and respond to these events.
• Collaborating with news teams to cover weather-related stories and provide context for how weather events may impact local communities, businesses, and daily life.
• Continuously staying informed about the latest developments in meteorology and climate science to ensure accurate and up-to-date information is provided to the public.
• Engaging with the audience through social media and other platforms to answer questions, provide additional information, and build rapport with viewers and listeners.
A TEAM EFFORT
Comradery and teamwork are a big piece of the broadcast experience. You’ll need to be able to communicate effectively with others and be part of the team effort.
There’s a lot going on with every broadcast. It takes many people with many talents all working together in synchrony to bring everything to life.
You’ll experience much together. Trust one another. Lift each other up. Achieve and celebrate together.
Of course, there are other perks of being part of the team. You’ll join your colleagues at concerts and sporting events. You’ll encounter the arts, meet interesting people, and go on new adventures. Plus, a press pass is a beautiful thing.
Is a career as a broadcast meteorologist on your horizon?
Come join us.
A TEAM EFFORT
Comradery and teamwork are a big piece of the broadcast experience. You’ll need to be able to communicate effectively with others and be part of the team effort.
There’s a lot going on with every broadcast. It takes many people with many talents all working together in synchrony to bring everything to life.
You’ll experience much together. Trust one another. Lift each other up. Achieve and celebrate together.
Of course, there are other perks of being part of the team. You’ll join your colleagues at concerts and sporting events. You’ll encounter the arts, meet interesting people, and go on new adventures. Plus, a press pass is a beautiful thing.
Is a career as a broadcast meteorologist on your horizon?
Come join us.