Forecasting a future

When Ian Bates’ college plans shifted at the last minute, it felt like the perfect storm. He needed a new path forward, and he needed it fast.

Wright State had an answer that came with more than a silver lining.

Bates had previously applied to Wright State, but he was surprised to learn there was still a Green and Gold scholarship open for him. He enrolled as an Earth and environmental sciences major and began classes immediately.

Bates wants to work in meteorology, and he understands that storms can bring good surprises.

“Growing up in Texas, I saw some pretty fun thunderstorms,” he said. “I saw some red lightning.”

Wright State student Ian Bates turned an unexpected opportunity into early hands-on experience in meteorology, including a first-semester job shadow with WHIO-TV. (Photos by Erin Pence and video by Kris Sproles.)

That’s rare, and so is getting the opportunity to job shadow your top career during your first semester at college. That’s what happened after he signed up for Earth systems with senior lecturer Stacey Hundley, Ph.D., who is also the faculty advisor for the program.

“I wanted to get involved and knew I needed to put myself out there because meteorology is either very competitive or just hard to break into, so I decided to talk to Dr. Hundley because she was easily one of my favorite professors,” Bates said. “I was very fortunate.”

Hundley, it turns out, had recently made a significant connection.

“I serve on the Greenon School Board, and we host career days,” she said. “And Nick Dunn, the weatherman for WHIO, happened to visit on one of our events. So, I told Ian that I had met him and maybe I could connect them. And Nick, a super nice guy, invited Ian to come and do a job shadow.”

Together, Hundley and Bates discussed what he could ask Dunn while he was there. What kind of process Dunn went through to get where he is today. And Dunn was impressed.

“Ian is a sharp kid,” said Dunn. “He shares just about as much of a weather geek mindset as I do.”

Dunn chuckled when he said it, but that interest was important to him because he knows it takes a special person to get into meteorology, and that’s one of the reasons he’s happy to volunteer his time talking to students at Greenon, and now Wright State.

“I waited 10 years before pursuing my dream. So, when I see a student is interested, I try to push that,” said Dunn. “And I see a lot of potential with Ian.”

Meteorologist Nick Dunn shares his experience with Ian Bates.

Bates was able to spend a full day on set with Dunn, and he returned for a follow-up visit where he also met Chief Meteorologist Austin Chaney.

“My plan is to gain as much knowledge as I can,” Bates said about the opportunity. “The whole experience has excited me to continue my passion and my career field as early as possible.”

Related Links:

• Experiential Learning Resources
• Wright State Scholarships