Please include details about your educational background and what sparked your interest in atmospheric or related sciences.

CCAF, AAS, Meteorology
CCAF, AAS, Instructor of Technology & Military Science
TESU, BA.NAS, Natural Sciences & Mathematics

21 years in the Marine Corps serving as a Weather Observer (2000-2004) and then a Meteorological Impacts Analyst (2004-2021). Locations include CONUS and OCONUS (Garrison and Combat).

What was your first job in the field and how did you end up in the job you are in now?

My last duty location was at Camp Lejeune, NC at II Marine Expeditionary Force providing support to a three-star General. Additional, I was the senior member of the Destructive Weather Operations Center during hurricane season.

What opportunities did you pursue that you knew would be beneficial to securing a job in the profession?   

Obtain my AA and BA degrees in Meteorology, as well as, my TS/SCI security clearance.

What other courses/skills beyond the required math and science courses do you think would be the most helpful to individuals wanting a career in your profession?

Technical Writing, Cross-Generational Leadership, and Leading your peers are a few courses that I found most beneficial.

What is your typical day on the job like?

I have retired from the United States Marine Corps.

What do you like most about your job? What is the most challenging thing about your job?

I'm a very black and white type of person. Being a weather analyst, regardless if using numerical weather prediction or charts, forces a person to think outside the box. This is both what I liked most and provided a challenge for me.

Does your job allow for a good work/life balance? If not, why?  

Yes.

Over the course of your career what is the most exciting thing that has happened to you?

Being the senior meteorologist on staff providing direct support to a three-star general who took what

Is there anything you wish you had done differently in your career?

Received my degree sooner.

What are some "must-haves" on a resume if a person wants to gain employment in your field?

Three to five years of successful employment as a weather forecaster.