{"id":2641,"date":"2023-05-05T13:17:56","date_gmt":"2023-05-05T17:17:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/csh\/?p=2641"},"modified":"2023-05-05T15:02:53","modified_gmt":"2023-05-05T19:02:53","slug":"hope-kleitsch-weathers-the-world-of-meteorology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/csh\/2023\/05\/05\/hope-kleitsch-weathers-the-world-of-meteorology\/","title":{"rendered":"Hope Kleitsch Weathers the World of Meteorology"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Growing up, Hope Kleitsch spent her winters anticipating snow days and acting out fake weather forecasts, excitedly detailing the approaching winter storm for her parents. Inspired by her local broadcasters, Hope was fascinated by storms and dreamed of being on TV.<\/p>\n

As a Ball State Meteorology and Climatology<\/a> student, Hope has found a place to pursue her dream, and after several years of weather forecasting for NewsLink Indiana, \u201cWaking Up with Cardinal Weather,\u201d and more recently 21 Alive WPTA, it\u2019s easy to say the camera loves her.<\/p>\n

Broadcasting for Ball State<\/h3>\n

On her way to a geography class one day, Hope saw a flyer for NewsLink Indiana auditions. NewsLink is Ball State\u2019s student-run news broadcast with five teams that work together to cover news, sports, and weather. Despite being the only freshman there, Hope auditioned to join the weather team.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was the only freshman who tried out, but putting your foot in the door is the biggest thing you can do. It was uncomfortable at first because I had no idea what I was doing, but eventually you get into your rhythm.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Hope

Hope at NewsLink Indiana<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n

By the second semester of her sophomore year, Hope was an Assistant Chief Weather Forecaster. The more she learned in her meteorology and climatology classes, the better she became at weather forecasting. Eventually, Hope worked her way up to Chief Weather Forecaster for NewsLink Indiana.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy meteorology classes are way more in-depth than what we cover on NewsLink, but the more that I learn, the easier it is to provide information to viewers.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hope also joined \u201cWaking Up with Cardinal Weather\u201d and the Ball State Storm Chasing team her freshman year, immersing herself in the meteorology and climatology community. Her time in these activities has helped her gain broadcasting experience, witness cool storms across the country, and make impactful connections.<\/p>\n

Working Weekends at WTPA<\/h3>\n
\"Hope

Hope at 21 Alive<\/p><\/div>\n

Building her broadcasting portfolio and learning to network gave Hope a head start in the professional world. During the fall of 2022, Hope met with a recruiter from Gray TV<\/a> who put her in contact with a News Director at 21 Alive WPTA<\/a> news station. Now, Hope works part-time as a weather broadcaster for this local news channel, doing schoolwork on the weekdays, and professional work on the weekends.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe experience I\u2019ve gotten out of 21 Alive has been great. NewsLink got me to the point where I was ready for this work, but actually seeing how a real news station works is incredible. And learning from the Meteorologists there who have walked me through everything is really cool.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Forecasting for a news station while still attending school is not always easy, however. On the weekends, Hope has a much different routine that her classmates.<\/p>\n