Nick Schwartz

"Innovative Weather has given me the skills to excel at the communication aspect of this. We live in a job market now where graduates with a 4 year degree can no longer easily obtain work, and yet many 'trade' jobs are struggling to get filled; this is a sure sign that obtaining the necessary hands-on, technical skills are invaluable to succeed and get to the next level."

Like most people that enter a career in meteorology, I've had an interest in weather since I was little. I remember always being fascinated watching The Weather Channel while my dad prepared to work his lawn maintenance business each day. I can even remember posting forecasts from television on the bulletin board of my third grade classroom. My love for weather continued right through college, where I went on several storm chases through the Atmospheric Science Club at UWM. I would ultimately complete my Bachelor's Degree in 2007 and Master's in 2009. I was a part of the original Innovative Weather team from May 2007 until December 2010. Serving for Innovative Weather not only made me a better forecaster, but a better leader and a much better communicator. These skills were developed through things such as frequent communication with Innovative Weather's clients during adverse weather conditions, mentoring new staff and recording audio for our radio clients. Speaking of radio, I will never forget preparing for an evening shift at Innovative Weather on January 7th, 2008. Record January warmth preceded severe thunderstorms that afternoon, which resulted in several tornadoes over southeast Wisconsin. One included an EF-3 which spun up around 6 miles southeast of my parents' house! Recording audio for NPR that evening, mentioning confirmed tornadoes that produced significant damage on a January day is an event I will never forget. The skills gained at IW are directly transferable to my current position as a meteorologist intern at the National Weather Service in Gaylord, MI. We are 'first in line' for answering phone calls, which frequently include briefing entities like school boards and road commissions on the forecast situation, as well as doing both recorded and live interviews for our media partners.