Another successful Career Day!

On Friday, November 2oth, the NIU Department of Geography held its annual "Career Day", an experience that connects the Department's current students with alumni. During this much-anticipated event, alumni make their way back to DeKalb in order to share their career development experiences with students, recruit candidates for positions or internships, and reconnect with friends and colleagues. The Career Day activities started with introductions by Dr. Chris McCord (Dean of LA&S) and Dr. Andrew Krmenec (Geography Chair), followed by Career Break-out Sessions where alumni were able to connect with students in specific subdisciplines, including meteorology.

Argonne scientists, Ms. Jenni Prell and Mr. Mike Ritsche, discuss internship opportunities with Argonne National Lab during the Meteorology Breakout Session.

The following meteorology alumni provided valuable feedback and discussions (listed by graduating class):

Mr. Gilbert Sebenste (1995) - NIU Meteorology Office
Mr. Mike Ritsche (B.S. 1997, M.S. 2001) - Argonne Nat. Lab.
Mr. Mark Russo (1998) - Chesapeake Energy
Mr. Gino Izzi (2002) - NWS-Romeoville office
Ms. Peggy Concannon (2002) - Allstate Insurance
Ms. Vanessa McCormick (2005)
Ms. Joi Kwiatkowski (2006) - URS
Ms. Jenni Prell (B.S. 2008, M.S. 2009) - Argonne Nat. Lab.

Additional MET alumni (not listed) participated in the GIS breakout session.

As part of "Geography Week", Mr. Dustin Oltman (BS in 2006; MS in 2008; AON Reinsurance) stopped by Dr. Ashley's Natural Hazards and Environmental Risk to discuss the reinsurance industry. The NIU MET faculty would like to thank Mr. Oltman for a fascinating talk and ensuing discussion.

Once again, thank you to all the Meteorology Program alumni who visited and shared their wealth of knowledge about classes, internships, jobs, and the state of our profession. We all look forward to Career Day 2010!