Hello Meteorology-Climatology Majors,
I hope that you are doing well as we continue to experience the cold and often unsettled weather that is February in Nebraska. This week, I want to talk about gaining experience outside of the classroom again given the upcoming UCARE application deadline and similar upcoming deadlines to apply for REUs, internships, and volunteer experiences. Additionally, the Spring 2025 University Career + Internship fairs are next week, which is an excellent way to find opportunities to gain experience.
As you progress through your academic journey, remember that learning isn’t confined to the classroom. Real-world experiences, whether through internships, research, volunteer work, part-time jobs, or community projects, are key to developing the skills and insights that will shape your future. To help you take action, here are some practical steps and tips:
1. Identify Your Interests:
- Reflect: Take a moment to list the subjects or fields you’re passionate about.
- Explore: Research local organizations, companies, or faculty members whose work aligns with these interests.
2. Seek Opportunities:
- Internships: Visit your CAS Career Coach or Handshake to find internship listings.
- Research Projects: Talk to professors about joining ongoing research projects. Many professors are open to advising UCARE projects related to their current research or taking on research volunteers, which could turn into a paid position.
- Volunteer Work & Community Projects: Check community boards, local nonprofit websites, or campus organizations that often need enthusiastic volunteers.
- Part-Time Jobs: Look for roles that allow you to develop relevant skills. Even jobs unrelated to your major can build valuable soft skills like communication and time management.
3. Plan and Organize:
- Set Goals: Define what you want to achieve, whether it’s learning a new skill, building a professional network, or gaining hands-on experience in your field.
- Create a Schedule: Balance your academic responsibilities with these experiences by blocking out specific times for research, work, or volunteer activities.
4. Take Initiative:
- Network: Attend career fairs, join student organizations, and participate in workshops (like the ones in this newsletter). Networking can open doors to opportunities you might not find otherwise.
- Follow Up: After applying or expressing interest in an opportunity, send a follow-up email to reinforce your commitment and enthusiasm.
5. Reflect and Adapt:
- Evaluate Your Experiences: Regularly reflect on what you’ve learned and how each experience aligns with your career goals.
- Adjust as Needed: If an opportunity isn’t meeting your expectations, don’t be afraid to try something new.
Taking these steps not only boosts your resume but also builds critical soft skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. These experiences will not only enrich your academic life but also prepare you for the professional challenges ahead.
Remember, the journey to a successful career is built on proactive steps. Embrace the opportunities around you, and don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance along the way. Your future is in your hands, and every experience counts.
Required Advising
I am committed to your academic success and want to ensure you have the support you need - especially during the early stages of your college journey, when you’re experiencing academic challenges, or going into the final stage of your college experience. The College of Arts and Sciences has required advising for students in their first and second semesters, and the University has required advising for students on Academic Warning after the Fall 2024 semester. The University also has required advising for students who appear to be entering the final year of their undergraduate coursework based on credit hours completed.
We require advising for first and second semester students as we want to ensure that you are building a strong foundation as a college student, having a smooth transition from high school to college or from another school to UNL, and getting the personalized planning that you need to help you reach your goals. We also require advising for students on Academic Warning after the previous semester to help identify the challenges from the previous semester(s), to develop strategies to overcome or mitigate those changes, and to ensure that you have the support that you need at UNL. Finally, we require advising for students entering their final year to ensure that they know the specific requirements that they have left to fulfill to complete their degree and what courses should be available to fulfill those requirements across their final fall and spring semesters.
If you have required advising, you will have or already have a hold placed on your Summer 2025 and/or Fall 2025 course registration. The second, third, and fourth weeks of February are an excellent time to schedule your advising meeting with me as Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 registration hasn't started yet. Scheduling your advising meeting is a proactive step toward achieving your academic goals. I am here to support you at every stage - whether you’re just beginning your college experience, working through challenges, or trying to finish strong.
Newsletter Feedback
If you ever have questions or feedback about anything in the weekly newsletter, please let me know by shooting me an email. Often, it is difficult for me to know if these emails are actually being read and/or used.
Best wishes, Doug
Spring 2025 Advising Schedule
I will taking in-person, Zoom, and phone meetings in 45-minute blocks from 8:30 am to 12:15 pm and 1:15 pm to 5:00 pm every weekday when I am not taking Zoom drop-in advising meetings. I will also be taking Zoom drop-in advising meetings on Mondays and Fridays at 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. Zoom drop-in meetings are being coordinated by the College of Arts and Sciences with a schedule and a link to the Zoom room available at https://cas.unl.edu/drop-in-advising-schedule.
You can schedule a meeting with me by using the Student Success Hub via this link, by calling the College of Arts and Sciences Academic and Career Advising Center at 402-472-4190, by calling me at 402-472-4319, or by emailing me at dpellatz@unl.edu. You can find instructions for how to access and schedule meetings in the Student Success Hub system here.
CAS Student Spotlight
Do you want to be featured by the college? Share your story by filling out this quick web form and show others why Meteorology-Climatology is for you. Showcase all the opportunities and experiences you are gaining with your Meteorology-Climatology major.