I truly believe that every major has certain struggles they have to deal with on the regular. Whether you’re a business major, biology major, etc., you know there are certain things that other people not in your major don't understand simply because they don't have to deal with it. Being a meteorology major, as well as wanting to be one for a long time, there are certain struggles I have had to face that seem to be recurring. Most of these struggles are dealing with the responses people have when I tell them my major.
If you are also a meteorology major, I can guarantee you have heard one or more of these responses before:
1. "Meteors are so cool!"
This response when I tell people my major isn't as common as some other responses. However, I have heard it enough times to warrant it being included in this article. I get most majors say what they are in their name themselves, but come on, do you really think I'm spending four years to study JUST meteors every single day?
2. "So you want to be on TV or something?"
This response is the most common one I get when I tell people my major. Sure, a lot of meteorology majors do become anchors on television, but this response irritates me because there's so much more to the major than just being on TV.
3. "It must be nice being a meteorology major, you can be right 50% of the time and still have a job!"
Ahh yes, a classic. I can guarantee every meteorology major has heard this one. To the general public: I'd like you to recognize there is much more that goes into forecasting the weather than just looking at a map.
4. "What's the weather going to be like on my birthday?"
OK, I get you are not a meteorology major and may not fully understand how forecasting works, but do you really think I can forecast the weather two months out from now? I mean, the weather you check on your app only shows up to a 15-day forecast.
5. "What is that?”
This response isn’t as common, but I definitely have told people my major on more than one occasion where they don’t know what "meteorology" is. Sometimes its just easier to say I’m studying weather.
6. “That must be a fun major!”
I absolutely love my major and it is fun, but many people don’t realize the rigorous classes the major requires. It isn’t just looking at maps, which many people think. Most people are shocked when I tell them I am taking calc 4 as well as multiple physics classes.
I don’t want this to come across as bitter, and while these responses do annoy me, I am never actually mad getting a response like this. To the general public: I get there is some uncertainty in what my major entails, but PLEASE think before you speak.
Sincerely,
All meteorology majors
