Meteorology-Climatology Student Spotlight
The Meteorology-Climatology Student Spotlight is your opportunity to learn a bit more about one of your fellow Meteorology-Climatology majors at UNL. This week, Derek Dornsife from Omaha, Nebraska, is in the spotlight.
Name: Derek Dornsife
Major: Meteorology-Climatology
Year in School: Second-Degree Seeking
Where are you from?
Omaha, Nebraska
What gets you excited about Meteorology-Climatology?
Severe convective environmental analysis and forecasting. Every day I wake up excited to learn about the “why” behind these phenomena with the goal of becoming the best forecaster I can be. My deepest passion lies in the nowcasting of convective evolution from initiation to storm trends, however I will never not be amazed by the fact that we can predict with impressive accuracy the occurrence of these events up to a week in advance. Needless to say, I am very much looking forward to taking synoptic and mesoscale!
Favorite Meteorology-Climatology class or instructor so far? Why?
Dynamics. I have long wanted to understand the details behind the atmospheric motion we see on weather maps every day. Dynamics is a significant piece of the puzzle in the pursuit of “why.”
What are you excited about doing after graduation?
Hopefully landing a job with the National Weather Service and continuing my education.
What is a goal you have accomplished as a Husker?
Obtaining operational experience. I have been fortunate to land two NWS student volunteerships and in getting to spend two days job shadowing at the Storm Prediction Center.
What do you wish you would have known when you started as a Meteorology-Climatology Major that you know now?
The importance of computer programming languages in the field. Try to keep what you learn in METR 153 fresh.
What do you hope to cross off your “bucket list” in the next few years?
Seeing a tornado and experiencing a hurricane. In addition to doing it for the sheer adrenaline, there is value in field learning / application and in gaining a perspective of what these events truly encompass.
Getting away from the meteorology talk, I would like to attend all four major tennis championships. However, I don’t see that happening within the next few years!
If you would like to see yourself in the spotlight, please contact Doug for more information.