Between 2014 and 2016, I served as an Associate Director of Operations and Meteorologist at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Innovative Weather (IW). The program gives UWM meteorology students hands-on experience in operational meteorology by providing community and business partners with reliable risk assessment forecasts. A program overview can be found here. The idea is for students to gain real-world experience and develop skills in short- and long-range forecasting, broadcasting, and client communication. The rigorous 24/7 schedule prepares students for the demands of a meteorology career.
IW's partnerships include: The Milwaukee Brewers, Summerfest Music Festivals, We Energies, Time Warner Cable, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District, Lake Express, Great Lakes Water Institute, Milwaukee Department of Public Works, Alliant Energies, Wisconsin Public Service. Students and staff at IW also provide Milwaukee radio listeners with accurate and in-depth weather forecasts on 89.7 WUWM, Milwaukee’s National Public Radio affiliate.
By the end of my development at IW, my role was to be a trainer for undergraduate interns. Specifically to teach/train to: issue severe weather watches/alerts, interpret warning-related inputs, improve alert decision-making process, increase understanding of synoptic and mesoscale meteorology, improve written and oral communication of decision support services, develop radio broadcasting skills, establish the office culture, and mentor younger staff.
IW is a one of a kind student opportunity. The program provides a paid "plus-one" experience needed into competitive positions - such as the NWS - and has a track record of placing alumni in public and private forecasting careers. I highly recommend UWM students interested in forecasting to inquire about internships.
IW's partnerships include: The Milwaukee Brewers, Summerfest Music Festivals, We Energies, Time Warner Cable, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District, Lake Express, Great Lakes Water Institute, Milwaukee Department of Public Works, Alliant Energies, Wisconsin Public Service. Students and staff at IW also provide Milwaukee radio listeners with accurate and in-depth weather forecasts on 89.7 WUWM, Milwaukee’s National Public Radio affiliate.
By the end of my development at IW, my role was to be a trainer for undergraduate interns. Specifically to teach/train to: issue severe weather watches/alerts, interpret warning-related inputs, improve alert decision-making process, increase understanding of synoptic and mesoscale meteorology, improve written and oral communication of decision support services, develop radio broadcasting skills, establish the office culture, and mentor younger staff.
IW is a one of a kind student opportunity. The program provides a paid "plus-one" experience needed into competitive positions - such as the NWS - and has a track record of placing alumni in public and private forecasting careers. I highly recommend UWM students interested in forecasting to inquire about internships.