Speed Networking Event with a SPC forecaster.

Saturday, November 02, 2024. No picture in this blog. Dr. Miller sent out an email earlier this week on a Speed Networking event that was Wednesday, October 30th, 2024. This was to meet via Zoom with a SPC forecaster. I didn't know what to expect and signed up for it. It started as one main room. Mixer with SPC forecaster Evan Bentley that is a mesoscale assistant and fire weather forecaster at the SPC. As well as Ashley Brewer, NWS meteorologist; and Andrew Markowitz, NWS meteorologist also was answering questions in the mini groups that we were in. I learned a lot and really enjoyed this special event. We started in introduction of ourselves, by our name, university currently at, and current goal after graduation. These three meteorologists even said that they put in 40 to 50 applications before getting a job as well as doing internships. They all questioned me why I was going for professional storm chaser instead of NWS, I simply said I'm 58 almost 59, when I graduate, I'll be pushing the age 65 mark. They told me that NWS is open any age and not to give up, because I think I'm too old.

I understand a lot of weather students start this journey in atmospheric sciences either in their senior year of high school or shortly after. So, I was expecting the same age group as I'm seeing around the UNCA campus, fresh out of high school or early 20's and 30's. Which was basically the same for this event. 

An opportunity like this event, you never know that maybe someday it may be a random person at an event like this one that may be hiring you for a job. I have found out that knowing people and experience aids you a lot in landing a job in a particular field. Back in 1993, I had a choice go natural resources or go for a weather job. I'm a born fisherman, and truly love the outdoors, so went natural resources and graduated with a Fish & Wildlife degree. But where I messed up, with I didn't do any internships at all. When I moved to South Carolina I was denied by a lot of parks and I even went as far as asking a game warden. Everywhere I went for a park ranger job, denied. This is what I was told, no family in the department, no application. 

Before attempting to go back to college, I knew experience and contacts would play a large role, if I decided to go for a weather-related job. After that high end EF3 tornado came over my house back 4 yrs ago, I decided to try my luck at weather forecasting. I wasted no time and contacted Chief Meteorologist Chris Justus at WYFF4 on how to get started in weather. He started me with SkyWarn in which I took both the basic and advanced tests and passed as well as registered with GSP. Three weeks later, I got recruited by a fireman that was on a spotter team, The Carolina Storm Spotters. I figured I would get some spotting experience first and work myself up from there. I soon realized chasing was more of what I was after instead of spotting the severe weather. I kept building experience, then in taking Penn State World Campus weather certificate, I met a geoscience professor in trying to get some tutoring help that recommended I start a LinkedIn account and contact a minimum of 50 meteorologists around the USA, I'm currently at 40. But seeing I chase extreme weather, my first contact is Dr. Reed Timmer, that just recently I met in person during Hurricane Helene's rathe. I love weather because it's ALWAYS changing. Now at UNCA, I'm keeping an open mind on what to weather path to take after graduation. Not getting denied anymore because in any case, I still have my original idea of going for Professional Storm Chaser/meteorologist after graduation, because I build my experience every chance I get. Unlike last time at college, I'm definitely doing internships while still at UNCA, and who knows it could be a game changer.

Now with doing this event, I will be reaching out to those NWS people at the event and add them to my LinkedIn account as well.