What does your job entail?
“My job is not just about pointing at maps and smiling, although that obviously plays a major part. I present up to 12 weather forecasts a day as well as reporting on weather or environment-related stories.”
What’s the best bit?
“Many parts of my job are very routine. I have to have my charts made by a certain time, the forecasts are always at the same time each day and run to the same length. But there is a lot of variety outside of that and that’s the best part. One day I could be standing in flood water, the next I’m on a zip wire or rubbing sun cream into a pig.”
And the worst?
“Shaving. I hate having to shave every day as I am naturally a bit of a scruff. The problem with my job is you can never have an ‘off day’ where you just hide under your desk. However you are feeling you have to be presentable, smiling and coherent.”
How did you get your job?
“I began working at ITV as a journalist in one of their newsrooms having come from a radio background. The weather presenting was initially just a few days cover here and there before it developed into my full time role.”
What qualifications/experience do you need?
“My training is in journalism, which suits the reporting aspect of my job. Since becoming a full-time weather presenter I also have been on several meteorological courses at the Met Office. What I have also found helpful is the years I spent in local radio – giving me the confidence and experience to know what to do when things go wrong… so far.”
What advice would you give someone who would like a job such as yours?
“I started at ITV on a day’s work experience and built up from there. It really is a case of getting your foot in the door and then working hard to prove yourself. You need to be confident without being pushy or arrogant – we work in small teams so there is no room for egos. Also, make the most of any opportunities that you are given. If you had told me a couple of years ago I would be doing this I would not have believed you.”
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