Senior Jacob Pozezinski met chief meteorologist Tom Skilling at WGN News headquarters in Chicago.

Tom Skilling is a local meteorologist for the WGN News who broadcasts the weather report all over the Illinois area. He was raised in Aurora Illinois.

“He does all the primary forecaster for the news station. You would usually see him every night on the 9 o’clock news with the latest weather news,” said senior Jacob Pozezinski.

Pozezinski met Skilling on a tour of the facility on August 12^th. He was introduced by a family friend that holds an occupation at the WGN News station.

“He set up a behind the scenes tour and also said that I could meet with Tom Skilling and talk to him about the profession. Following the tour, I met with Skilling and we talked for nearly an hour about meteorology and the steps I should take to pursue the career,” Pozezinski said.

One reason why he was so pleased to meet Skilling is because Pozezinski wants a job in meteorology as well.

“I was always interested in weather when I was a kid. I thought it was so cool when the storms rolled in and loved watching them. I remember always hoping that the power would go out whenever the storms got intense. Since then, I haven’t lost my interest in weather and hope to somehow include this interest in my future,” Pozezinski said.

Pozezinski looks up to Skilling not only for his occupation but talent.

“He has been doing his job since the mid-1970s and has so much experience and knowledge. I also just admire the fact that he was willing to take time out of his busy schedule to personally sit down with me and answer the questions I had for him,” Pozeznski said.

Jacob describes Skilling the same kind humorous person in person as on television.

“Tom Skilling is a very down-to-earth type of person. He has a friendly personality who loves to talk about his career. He was so sincere when we met and incredibly helpful. He would start to tell a story, think of another story while telling the current one, and then he would somehow relate the two together in the end. His stories were unbelievable and they gave me so much insight to what the field has to offer,” Pozezinski said.

Overall the chat with Skilling gave Pozezinski great interest and perception for his future goals.

“Meeting Tom Skilling really gave me insight on what the career has to offer. It cleared up the questions I had regarding meteorology. The meeting gave me a positive outlook at what my future has to offer. It was definitely a life-changing experience,” Pozezinski said.