Fresh out of college with a Bachelor of Science, what is an amateur meteorologist to do? With the job market as competitive as it is, experts recommend job seekers attempt to “stand out” from the crowd by making themselves unique. But, how do I make myself unique? Perhaps I should wear a double-denim outfit with Led Zeppelin patches and a fedora? Wait, no, that’s my college roommate that hilariously resembles Hagrid from the Harry Potter series. How about an internship? I’ve got that, two in fact! How about research experience? Yes, I have that too. But wait, so do a bunch of other graduates and unemployed meteorologists left over from the ’08 recession. Aye, there’s the rub. So how can I make myself a unique candidate out of a group of unique candidates? Actually, now that I think about it, maybe my college roommate was getting at something. No, no, not the denim and fedora. I’m talking about his attendance at the Rutgers archeology field school in Kenya. Yes, that’s it, field experience! What’s field experience mean for a meteorologist? A TRIP TO CONGRESS! Because they too can lie and keep their jobs! Right? Just kidding, meteorologists don’t intentionally lie to you. So what’s field experience for a meteorologist? That’s right, STORM CHASING! Yes folks, I’m going storm chasing with a talented group of meteorology students and alumni in a two-week summer course offered by Rutgers taught by none other than the one and only Dr. Steven G. Decker. Throughout these two weeks, I will be writing about my experience forecasting and observing severe weather in the country’s famous Tornado Alley. Plenty of pictures will be taken, so be prepared for some awesome shots (given we actually have severe weather… I don’t want to jinx us)! And if we’re lucky, we’ll be able to see and experience the dynamics that go into the creation of a tornado-producing supercell thunderstorm. The adventure begins Tuesday, May 27th when we will gather for an orientation for the trip. We take off for storm chasing either that Wednesday or Thursday, weather pending. Wish us the best of luck finding the best (or worst) weather in the country!
Cheers!
-Mike
Michael J. Lee 