Meteorology Success Stories
BRYAN TOLLE
Name: Bryan Tolle
Major: Broadcast Meteorology
Hometown: Lawrenceburg, Indiana (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Internship placement: WTRF-TV 7 News - StormTracker 7 Weather Lab, Wheeling, West Virginia
Your Internship Title: Intern Meteorologist
How did you find your internship?
My grandma and mother both live in the Wheeling, West Virginia area, so I grew up watching 7 News. I inquired about doing a weather internship, and went in for an interview. I was told I came highly recommended from my internship in Cincinnati at News 5 WeatherPLUS, and they brought me on. They were not disappointed.
What are your primary responsibilities/day-to-day activities?
I assisted in creating the forecast for the day, as well as creating the graphics used in the daily weather broadcasts. I was responsible for updating the website every night. I worked with the updated forecast and severe weather information, and also began what is the daily weather synopsis: discuss what was on the website, and I got to put my name on it as well. Also, I recorded the forecasts on the StormTracker 7 Weather Line, and assisted in severe weather operations with StormTracker 7 Instant Alert as well during severe weather situations.
What is the best part of your internship?
Being in a weather lab from day to day working in the television stations for me is like a high. I am exhilarated to go in on a daily basis, that I don't think of it as a job, but as my life. I could not imagine doing anything else.
What are the top two things you have learned?
To go with the flow of things, especially when severe weather occurs, and then to make new friends and colleagues in my field.
Would you recommend this internship to someone else?
ABSOLUTELY!! If I got this much hands-on experience in my field, I don't see why others can't as well.
A quote regarding your internship experience?
"Your broadcast should be like telling a story. You want to keep the viewers drawn in for more, as well as keeping them safe during severe weather situations. Those are some of the good traits of a great broadcast meteorologist."
