What a Broadcast Meteorologist at a Broadcasting Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Broadcasting Industry
Meredith, a broadcast meteorologist, advises aspiring professionals that the field, while rewarding, doesn't guarantee financial riches; "you're not gonna make a million bucks," but emphasizes prioritizing personal happiness and work-life balance over social media pressures and the pursuit of constant popularity. The career requires sacrifices, but finding fulfillment in one's work and self-love are crucial for long-term success.
Salary Expectations, Work-Life Balance, Social Media Management, Mental Health, Career Satisfaction
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Meredith Garofalo
Broadcast Meteorologist
TV Broadcasting Company
Valparaiso University
NA
Environmental & Related Sciences
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Communication and Marketing
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. The starting salary for broadcast meteorologists may be lower than expected, requiring additional work to make ends meet.
2. The job requires sacrifices and it's important to maintain a healthy work-life balance and not let social media or work consume your life.
3. Personal happiness and self-love are crucial for success in this career; it's important to prioritize your well-being alongside career achievements.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
You're not going to make a million bucks being on TV. I know everyone thinks that, and people used to tell me all the time when I was just starting off, "Oh my gosh, you must be paid a lot."
When you're starting off in the media business, you're not going to make a lot, and you're going to have to sometimes work one or two jobs to make ends meet. But it's okay, because at the end of the day, yes, the money is nice, but you have to be happy with what you do.
You have to be in a career field that, while you may not be the richest person, you are rich in your life because of what you do and the lives that you touch. I wish I would have told myself that.
Also, there are going to be a lot of sacrifices. You're going to have to make sacrifices and you're going to have to be okay with that.
Now I'm a lot better at this: don't give in to the idea that you have to be the most popular person on social media, or that you have to be on social media 24/7. If I'm not on social media, people aren't going to like me – that's not true.
There was a time I actually had surgery and I didn't share that with the public until later. I went pretty quiet on social media for a month, and people didn't just give up on me. In fact, later, when I shared why I was more quiet, people had respect and were still supportive.
So don't let social media consume your life. Don't let your job consume your life. Because, at the end of the day, a job is a job, and you can be very proud of it and very happy with your success. But you also have to be happy as a person and happy with who you are.
You have to be living your best life. Because if you're not happy and you don't love yourself, you're never going to make it.