Beacons Leading by Example and Finding Their Callings
My summer internship at WOOD TV8 in Grand Rapids, Michigan was life changing! Not only did it ensure that my dream of being a broadcast meteorologist was indeed what I want in life, but it was also very fun. I had the opportunity to work alongside Storm Team 8, which is a weather team of five meteorologists, and two of them are Valpo grads! It was so incredible to be able to work with a team I watch daily and hope to be like someday.
Interestingly, one of their meteorologists actually showed me Valpo for the first time, so I credit him for introducing me to this amazing school with a stellar meteorology program! The chief meteorologist at WOOD TV8 also teaches a weathercasting class at Valpo, so it was truly a full circle moment by both learning from her in the classroom and working with her back home!
My duties at WOOD TV8 involved anything weather, and more! I was able to do a full forecast on their green screen in a suit, I did augmented reality for the first time in a forecast, and I helped make weather graphics that were shown on TV.
I got a comprehensive education in how to work Baron, their weather software, which was very neat because at Valparaiso University Television (VUTV) we use WSI Max, a different software. Now I can operate both of them which will help me down the line. I also went on a boat in Lake Michigan every so often for beach and boating weather forecasts, which was so relaxing and fun! I shadowed the many different departments that make up a news station including production, reporting, and lifestyle.
All were unique in their own ways, and I learned so much about the ins and outs of the news industry. Lastly, I helped with Maranda Park Parties, which were recesses organized by WOOD TV8 to allow summer school children to have some fun. It truly was an awesome experience all around and I was able to do so much in just 10 weeks!
I achieved this internship by building up the courage to ask about it. One thing with internships is if you see one you might like, just send an email! In the spring of 2022 I sent WOOD TV8’s chief meteorologist an email about the internship, but I unknowingly missed the deadline. However, they still let me go to the station a few times last summer.
Fall 2022 arrived and that same chief meteorologist taught one of my communication/weather classes at Valpo. It was this connection that got me to finally intern at WOOD TV8 this summer. If you have any place you want to intern at, just reach out to someone, and the connections and friendships you make will make a difference and go a long way. It is not always what you know, but who you know.
Overall, this internship has taught me so much about the news industry and broadcast meteorology. I am excited to apply what I learned at WOOD TV8 to VUTV and improve our campus television for weather especially.
Once I graduate, I will definitely take the advice I received from Storm Team 8 and make my way into the world of broadcast meteorology! I am so excited for what the future has in store!
Overall, this internship has taught me so much about the news industry and broadcast meteorology. I am excited to apply what I learned at WOOD TV8 to VUTV and improve our campus television for weather especially. Once I graduate, I will definitely take the advice I received from Storm Team 8 and make my way into the world of broadcast meteorology! I am so excited for what the future has in store!
Written By
Kolton Woods
