#NoPoles

http://www.toastmasters.org/ or something like you local unemployment/workforce central office...i realize that you are in western mass, so i'm just using the Milford, MA office as an example...but once or twice a week they offer free classes on subjects such as resume writing and interview practice...you can start out by doing a mock 1 on 1 interview...and they also have mock group interviews...most people don't even think to utilize those resources... like i said in my prior post...you will never be perfect...but you can make improvements and build self confidence...

4 inches/hr! crap, can't get this to imbed

This http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwu6eA8TFb4

well here's the deal with that...communication is a huge part of being a meteorologist...it's your job to use your knowledge and training to disseminate/communicate information to the general public or clients... if communication is a weak area for you, then you need to work on it...you may never be the best public speaker or the most eloquent...but you can build adequate skills for what you need to do...in the field of meteorology, it is absolutely imperative you know how to communicate... not trying to go all psychologist on you...but because you know you have a weakness in communication, it seems like you are hyper aware of your "deficiency" and this leads to a lack of confidence...and a lack of confidence will also hinder your ability to communicate effectively... if you really truly want to improve, you start off with a basic public speaking class...or join something like Toastmasters...you'll be surprised at how much easier public speaking is once you boost your confidence... also, it seems as if you need to work on your interviewing skills...this will also improve if you boost your confidence/comfortlevel with verbal communication...it could be that because you don't think you are a good communicator you worry too much while you are trying to communicate and that worry actually gets in the way of you being able to communicate effectively.. here's the deal...i don't usually share this information...but i stutter...and i am painfully aware of how that effects my ability to verbally communicate...in the beginning i passed up some job interviews because i didn't want the interviewer to hear me bumble around like an idiot...and i still remember this horrid interview i had with the USGS EROS Data Center...oh my, i crashed and burned, to the point where i only got through half the interview and they stopped it and said "Thanks but no thanks" but, this is who i am...i can't make it go away, so i find away to work with it...it will always be a bit harder for me than the rest of the population to verbally communicate, but i can't hide from life...i just have more confidence now...and if i mess up, well, it happens...i just stop, take a breath and start over...

Happy Thanksgiving from the Northeast!

you make a better diplomat than I... this is subject that I am passionate about...and if my passion rears it's head while I'm debating, then so be it...

actually, I enjoy research papers and launching weather balloons, and doing calculus, and physics... my response was not to belittle anyone, my response was to the statement in bold...I feel military service is something that makes you stand out, over and above the ability to complete a research paper or launch a weather balloon

i'm just amazed that there are people out there who feel this way... first off, not in my lifetime...or many lifetimes yet to come, will there ever be any services or "perks" that could ever come close to compensating those who have served and sacrificed in the military... 2nd, this benefit is only for govt jobs...and Vets have worked for/served the govt... i'm sorry, but someone who has veterans status sure stands out in my book, over someone who spent their life in academia where their biggest worry was some research paper, or launching a weather balloon

it has been that way for all govt jobs, for a long time...this is nothing new...two applicants, with equal schooling, and equal experience, pitted sided by side...the one who is a Vet will get the job... what i'm trying to dispel is the myth that the govt hands jobs to Vets without taking into consideration whether or not the Vet has the necessary qualifications...that is false besides, any person who signs their life over to the govt for a certain amount of years, should have extra preference when it comes to govt jobs...

this is a possibilty... but, i don't know the first thing about forecasting...getting my masters isn't going to teach me the operational forecasting meat and potatoes you get through undergrad...which is what i'm interested in... i have thought about going into the Air Force

I'm also a bit touchy on the Vet subject...being a Vet, and underemployed...well, I might as well face it...when i was employed, i was underemployed, except my job ended last friday...so now i'm just unemployed... first off, in govt jobs, you don't block people just by being a Vet...you have to have the schooling and the experience for the job you are applying for...Vets just don't get handed jobs...if Nick and I both apply for the same NWS job...and we are the only two applicants...he's going to get the job because he has his degree and he has been working as a Met...my Vet status won't count for crap... so for those of you who had thought otherwise, you are wrong and you need not post anymore on this subject...

well, i have been keeping an eye on this topic...truthfully, this thread brings up one of my biggest concerns since i'm thinking about putting in the effort and money to finish up my met degree...is it worth it? what happens if i take out more loans (i already have a BS ) and put in the time to go back to school, but then can't find crap for work? or not end up doing anything with my degree? (that would make two degrees i'm not doing anything with) i wrestle with that reality, a lot...

thanks MTBLANC! gorgeous as always!!! you live in a special place!!! and you are a hearty soul...i could summer there...but i think the winter would surely kick my butt!!!

i love it! this made me smile and LOL!!!

how do you dress when you go outside? how do you keep your house warm??? i can't even imagine these temperatures...

When i was a freshmen at Lyndon State College back in the late 1990's...i experienced cold approaching this magnitude...during a flipping fire alarm at about 2-3am...i did not like it...at all!!! I don't know how y'all in AK survive!!! you have bigger cojones than i do, that's for sure!!!

this one was epic!!! school was canceled m-w!

just wondering if any of you are being or will be affected by former TC's Sonca and Roke?