NEWS CENTER Maine Hires Point Park University's Aaron Myler as New Meteorologist

Meet Aaron Myler '16

Job Title & Employer: Meteorologist, NEWS CENTER Maine
Major/Program: Broadcast Reporting
College Activities: U-View
Hometown: Plum, Pa.
High School: Plum Senior High School
Now Living In: Portland, Maine
Hobbies & Interests: Traveling, cooking, baking, spending time with family and friends

"Point Park prepared me for my career by giving me a realistic look into the TV industry. The classes were led by industry professionals and treated like the first leg of your career, not just a college course. I got to learn every role that plays a part in putting a newscast together — reporting, anchoring, directing, producing and then onto the weather."

Aaron Myler '16

Why did you choose Point Park University for broadcasting?

I chose Point Park because they had the best program to get me from college to the career I always dreamed of. It's also small enough that you get personal attention and you aren’t just a number. The location in Downtown Pittsburgh was an added bonus!

How did Point Park’s broadcasting program prepare you for your career?

The program prepared me for my career by giving me a realistic look into the TV industry. The classes were led by industry professionals and treated like the first leg of your career, not just a college course. I got to learn every role that plays a part in putting a newscast together — reporting, anchoring, directing, producing and then onto the weather. That ability to jump between positions actually changed the course of my career. It made me realize that I could combine my love of weather with my passion for broadcast journalism, so I went onto pursue my degree in meteorology.

What sparked your passion for meteorology?

My father and I would sit and watch storms pass by when I was a kid which made me fall in love with the weather. I have the fondest memories of sitting quietly and listening to the thunder roar while the lightning danced. It’s something that affects every one of us each and every day, but yet I knew almost nothing about it. That curiosity put me on the career track I’ve been on ever since.

Tell us about your role as meteorologist for the Weekend Morning Report.

As a meteorologist for the Weekend Morning Report, I prepare the forecast myself (yes, we do the science). One of the biggest challenges with being a TV meteorologist is finding ways to easily communicate the weather to everyone at home. There’s a lot of complex physics and thermodynamics that goes into the weather, so I need to find an easy way to show that. This is where the graphics come into play. I choose which graphics convey the weather story and then use my forecast to modify the graphics to represent that week’s weather. All that’s left now is to go on air and present it to everyone watching.

What advice do you have for high school students who have an interest in broadcasting?

I would recommend anyone interested in broadcasting to job shadow someone with their dream job. Find someone you look up to and reach out. Whether that’s a reporter, anchor or even a meteorologist, this will give you a peek into the reality of the broadcasting world and what that job entails.

What skills are hiring managers looking for in candidates?

Managers are looking for people who are passionate about their career and can connect with the viewers. Telling a story is the job, so that’s an important skill to have, but it doesn’t happen overnight. It comes with the internships, the first job and so on. The good news is that they know and understand this and are normally willing to help you grow!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Be open to learning. You’ll be working alongside industry professionals who have done this for decades and have so much to offer. If you ask questions and listen, they will help you grow in your career and guide you along the way.

Take every single class that Gina Catanzarite has to offer. She may be tough at times, but it's because she wants to prepare you for anything this career could throw your way. Trust me, you’ll thank her later.

NEWS CENTER Maine Hires Point Park University's Aaron Myler as New Meteorologist Alumni Profile