Goal realized

Ah yes, the time has finally arrived. The end of the semester, and for myself, it is the end of my college experience at U of L. In less than three months I will be a resident of the great state of Mississippi, enrolled in graduate school, studying broadcast meteorology at Mississippi State University (MSU).

I know the thought of learning the dynamics of weather and the art of storm prediction may not be your cup of tea, but for me, it will hopefully one day be my career.

I can just see it now. I will have my own commercial that you see at least 80 times a day with “What’s Jason Say” printed all over your 19″ set. During the spot, I will be decked out in a suit and positioned candidly with a random family all the while selectively showing you my awesome storm center computer gear.

Without a choice, residents of my weather market will rely on this U of L graduate for their weather information advising if they need to bring an umbrella. Oh, the excitement is gripping me like the new Two Towers trailer! You may ask, “Jason, how did you ever decide to be a meteorologist, and why are you going to MSU of all places?”

Good question; here is your answer.

When I was a child, I saw my first tornado in Friendship, Wisconsin. My parents decided that summer to visit their friends who lived in a small community just outside of Madison, and it just so happens that a small tornado touched down about 5 miles from the area.

The sheer power of the twister captivated me, and I was looking skyward thereafter.

My dream of being a weatherman developed from that day, but I was hardly the typical scholar or physics geek that one may believe you must become to be the next Jim Cantori. I aimlessly stumbled through high school looking for a reason to go to college. High school for me was a chance to play tennis and an opportunity to chase girls.

I excelled in both areas, I contend.

I went into college thinking that nothing would change. After my high school graduation, I studied at a community college for four semesters and then transferred to U of L in the spring of 2000.

Upon enrolling in a meteorology class to fulfill a natural sciences requirement, I had the pleasure of learning about a unique program offered on the graduate level in broadcast meteorology. This competitive program offered at MSU renewed the childhood interest I had once held in weather, and it seemed that my undergrad degree would now just be a stepping stone in the pond of education.

Putting cliches aside, I finally now had a goal that could only be realized through hard work and long hours.

Like many college students, there were many nights ’til 3 or 4 am studying for an exam. Included in the college experience are at least two full weekends a semester devoted entirely to term papers.

I managed to obtain a high GPA through all of this and took classes that related to both broadcasting and meteorological sciences.

I then sent away to MSU for an application. I filled out the application and mailed my transcripts along with recommendations to the university.

After official visits to the campus and long conversations with administration, my notice of acceptance arrived late January of this year.

At last, my life has direction and I can now avoid the stagnant routine of twenty-something disappointments we have all seen at one point or another.

I am moving to Mississippi to learn how to become a weatherman! Just as with any move in life, in comes the realization that I may never return to the city of Louisville.

The broadcasting lifestyle demands that you move to the best job and market size your skills and experience allow.

So with that, there is a less than optimistic chance that I will be working in Louisville any time soon.

So, as the sun sets on my old Kentucky home, a new sun rises on the cotton fields of the Mississippi delta. From a Cardinal to a Bulldog, I will always remain a Louisvillian.

Jason Kratzwald is a senior communications major and a columnist for The Cardinal. jason_kratzwald@louisvillecardinal.com