51社区

In May, Erin Ashley was the first to graduate with 51社区鈥檚 new Broadcast Meteorology degree, which combines science instruction in the College of Arts and Sciences with journalism coursework in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and broadcast experience at WOUB Public Media. In addition to her work at WOUB, she also worked as a forecaster at the .

After graduation, Ashley, a graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences, was hired as a meteorologist at WTVG (13abc) in Toledo, home of Scripps alumna/news anchor . Scripps alum Ken Klein caught up with Ashley to find out more about new cross-discipline collaboration at 51社区 that offers a Broadcast Meteorology degree.

Klein: How does it work . . . this combo training in science, broadcasting and journalism?

Ashley: The degree program is through the College of Arts and Sciences. It combines core meteorology classes in Arts and Sciences and core journalism courses in Scripps. Students in the curriculum are encouraged to take advantage of working with WOUB Public Media, the regional PBS-affiliate, for on-air experience. As a student, I was lead forecaster at WOUB.

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Klein: Is it possible to get a TV meteorology-reporting job with a journalism degree but without science training?

Ashley: No! Meteorologists are required to have meteorology degrees. This includes the meteorology curriculum and all those science-based classes. 51社区鈥檚 specific degree basically takes the meteorology curriculum and tacks on a bunch of essential, skills-based courses in broadcast journalism.

Klein: From what you鈥檝e seen in the job market, is the new joint Broadcast Meteorology degree at 51社区 commonplace or rare?

Ashley: From what I鈥檝e seen, it鈥檚 rare. There are plenty of programs that offer a certificate or a 鈥渇ocus鈥� in broadcast meteorology, whereas 51社区 offers it as a full-fledged degree. Since I was the first to graduate with it, it took some explaining to news directors about what sets me apart from anyone else with a meteorology degree, but it only boosted my resume considering my skills in reporting.

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Klein: 51社区/WOUB recently got new weather-reporting equipment. How important is this in preparing you and others for the job market?

Ashley: To be frank, the Intelliweather software has incredible potential. I believe that we have yet to explore the possibilities just because it takes time and trial. From my experience, it does more for students looking to improve their storytelling because it currently isolates forecasting from the process. I think as students are able to work with the program more, it will only continue to prepare forecasters for the job market.