If you have thoughts about becoming a broadcast meteorologist, chances are you enjoy science but also have a desire to entertain. Because this is an unusual combination, it makes you uniquely qualified to become a broadcast meteorologist.
Working as a broadcast meteorologist requires you to balance the know-how to provide essential and sometimes unpleasant information about the weather with the ability to entertain.
So if that’s appealing to you, the next question is, now what?
Steps to Becoming a Broadcast Meteorologist
Becoming a broadcast meteorologist is different from becoming a news anchor or reporter.
As a meteorologist on the news, you’ll be responsible for more than just reporting the weather. You’ll need to provide viewers with tips to prepare for severe weather, stay abreast of any updates to conditions, and keep up with the latest scientific research and technology in your industry.
Once you commit to taking this career path, there are essential steps you’ll need to complete to ensure your success. They are as follows:
Obtain Your Bachelor’s Degree
It’s certainly not enough to be interested in the weather. Every meteorologist has a bachelor’s degree in meteorology or atmospheric science. This is usually a four-year program at a qualified college or university. But it will give you the foundations in meteorology, math, and physics you’ll need to cover the scientific side of the job.
You may want to look for universities that offer specialized programs in broadcast meteorology that combine the scientific side with journalism or communication courses to strengthen the entertainment component.
Get Experience While Still in School
While you’re completing your degree, take advantage of internships or entry-level positions available to you. These will provide you with real-world experience and knowledge while developing your communication skills. You’ll also be able to start making contacts with others in the industry.
Some media outlets offer internships or jobs for aspiring broadcast meteorologists. Private weather consulting firms as well as government agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are also valuable sources for these.
Consider a Broadcast Meteorology Certification Program
No, you’re not required to obtain a broadcast meteorology certification. But if you do, it’s going to look good. Such certification will boost your credentials and increase your job prospects. You can get this certification through The American Meteorological Society (AMS) and you’ll need to pass an exam and meet certain education/experience criteria.
Build an Impressive Portfolio
Once you have some time under your belt in your internship/entry-level position, you’ll be able to start building a demo real that highlights your weather forecasting and reporting abilities, as well as showcases your on-camera skills. You don’t want to skip this step, as it will be a critical part of your job search.
Get out There and Network
You know the adage – it’s not what you know but who you know. It’s both though. So once you have some broadcast meteorology experience, it’s important you begin making vital connections with industry professionals.
Perhaps start by joining a professional organization such as the National Weather Association (NWA) or the AMS. Also – and this one is fairly easy – connect with industry professionals on social media platforms such as LinkedIn.
Apply for Work
Once you’ve completed all of the above, it’s time to get down to business and start applying for jobs. A good place to start is with local television stations. They will often hire broadcast meteorologists on a part-time or full-time basis. If that doesn’t appeal to you, you can consider working for weather consulting firms, or explore freelance opportunities.
Then once you have some experience in the field, you can work with an experienced news talent agent who can help you forward your career from there.
Do You Have What It Takes?
If you feel confident about becoming a broadcast meteorologist and are ready to pursue this avenue, we hope you found this article helpful, and we wish you the best of luck.
Then once you have some experience and are seeking representation, don’t hesitate to contact us.
With decades of experience as news talent agents, we have the experience, expertise, and CONNECTIONS to get you noticed.
