Every time you tell someone that you're a Meteorology major you're bound to hear the same comments over and over again. Some of them are so common that you can't help but to roll your eyes. Here are my top 10 comments.
1. "So you study meteors right?" My first college roommate asked me this when I told her I'm studying Meteorology. The answer, maybe sadly to some, is no, I do not study meteors. I don't study the moon, or the stars either.
2. "But the TV weatherman said it wasn't going to rain today but it did." Fun Fact: Some TV Meteorologists don't have Meteorology degrees. That fact aside: Predicting where exactly it will rain and where it won't is not that easy. If it's a widespread storm it's a bit easier to say that you're going to get rain versus a small popup storm that could hit on your side of town but not the other.
3. "What is the forecast for my (insert special event here like a month away)". I'm really sorry, but we can't give you an accurate forecast for a month away. Forecasts are really only reliable for 2-3 days ahead. After that the uncertainty for rain, snow, storms etc, gets progressively lower the farther you go out.
4. "So you're like good at math and science, right?" Yes, Meteorology involves a ton of math and science classes, but not everyone is a genius in Calculus and Physics. Personally, I struggle with Calculus a bit. It takes me longer to understand the concepts that some of my other peers get almost right away. But its okay if you're in the same boat as me! The feeling of passing a Calculus quiz with a A is a great feeling!
5. "So you want to be on TV?" When people ask me this I respond with a huge yes because I actually do! But being a Meteorology major does not mean that you want to be on TV. Being on TV is called Broadcast Meteorology, and this is only one of the many things that you can do with a Meteorology degree. You can work for the National Weather Service (NWS), private forecasting companies, insurance companies, etc.
6. "Do you want to chase storms like in Twister?" Not every Meteorology major wants to chase storms. Chasing storms does seem pretty cool. SUNY Oswego actually offers storm chasing as an elective class during the spring semester! For information on storm chasing at SUNY Oswego, visit http://www.oswego.edu/administration/ORSP/Storm.ht...
7. "What is your favorite kind of weather?" Everyone has a different favorite. Me? Thanks for asking. I love snow! I'm as happy as a baby seeing snow for the first time. If I see a snow storm coming I get super excited. Enjoy this picture of me standing in a snowbank taller then me in Redfield, NY on February 4th, 2017.
8. "You can be wrong all the time and still get paid!" This phrase bothers me the most. Forecasting is tough. When forecasting, you're trying to predict the unpredictable. Meteorologists are using models and data to try to predict if it will storm or if the sun will be shining bright and what the temperature will be. So cut us some slack please!
9. "Are there many Meteorology majors here?" When I was looking at colleges in New York for Meteorology there wasn't too many of them. So of course when your college offers Meteorology you'll find that there is an abundance of Meteorology majors. At SUNY Oswego, there's a numerous Meteorology majors, but the program is the size where you know everyone. I've grown close to many of my peers in my major. One of my best friends is a fellow Meteorology major! Here we are at the Northeastern Storm Conference held in Saratoga Springs, NY in March of 2017. The conference is put on by Lyndon State College! For info about the Northeastern Storm Conference, visit http://www.lyndonams.org/
10. "What type of cloud is that?" Well, I can tell you the scientific name, or just tell you it's like a cumulus or stratus. The rest you probably wouldn't understand.
Overall, being able to say that I'm a Meteorology major never ceases to amaze me with the questions and statments people make!
