Brandi Abbott - Aviation Forecaster, Weather Office, Serco
Brandi Abbott
(larger version)
Hard Work Certainly Does Pay Off...
"This is perfect, this is the ideal job, ideal location, it couldn't get any better. I'm amazed and thrilled that I'm here."
This was Brandi Abbott's response while being interviewed on her educational experience and her resulting new job in the Weather Office at Serco in Happy Valley –Goose Bay.
For most Newfoundland and Labrador students, the road to a career is a long one, often leading students far away from home, and sometimes changing direction along the way. Although it is a rewarding experience, and can be financially and emotionally trying. Brandi knows this first hand. Before attending university, Brandi spoke to councilors and advisors on what would be the best path for her to take. They all gave her the same answer, do what you love. So she did. She completed a Bachelor of Science at Memorial University, with a major in Physics and a minor in Math. Upon completing her degree, Brandi was once again faced with what she feels was her biggest struggle during her schooling. "It's very difficult to find out what you want to do for the rest of your life, you obviously want to do something that you enjoy, and you don't want to force yourself to go to work everyday."
Wanting a find a career that utilized her abilities and training, as well as something enjoyable and rewarding, she began researching her options. She considered Law, as it was something that she had considered since grade six, but with further thought and research, she realized that this wasn't quite right for her. Then she considered teaching, as this would allow her to utilize her favorite subject areas, Math and Physics. It wasn't until her father came home one day and told her about a young man he'd met who had the same degree that Brandi had and became a meteorologist. Immediately Brandi felt as though this might be something worth looking into. Meteorology isn't one of those careers that you hear much about, she explains. When she went to career councilors or did online career matching tests, meteorology never came up as a match, always something like engineering or research. She did a little online searching and became more reassured that this might be the career for her. She called Environment Canada, Serco and other weather offices, and spoke to other meteorologists. She then applied to one of the six schools in Canada that offer Metoerology programs. She was accepted to Dalhousie University in Halifax, and although she was accepted into other programs at other schools, her mind was already made up.
Dalhousie being more expensive than MUN, and student loans only willing to provide a percentage of the required costs of schooling, Brandi turned to the Labrador Metis Nation. "I don't know what I would've done if I didn't get the funding from Metis for the last year." Brandi expressed abundant gratitude for the assistance that the LMN provided. 'They always told me when we talked, if you need someone to talk to, we're always here. If was more than financial support, it was emotional support as well.'
Upon the completion of her training, Brandi began searching for a job in her field. She hoped to find a job in either Gander or Goose Bay, as this was where her family lived, and although she had accepted the fact that she may have to leave the province to find work, she hoped that she would get an opportunity to stay. Although there were no positions available that she knew of, she put a resume in with Serco, and to her surprise, a position had just opened up. She is now a Forecaster, doing aviation forecasting with the Serco Weather Office in Happy Valley – Goose Bay, and she couldn't be happier.
This was Brandi Abbott's response while being interviewed on her educational experience and her resulting new job in the Weather Office at Serco in Happy Valley –Goose Bay.
For most Newfoundland and Labrador students, the road to a career is a long one, often leading students far away from home, and sometimes changing direction along the way. Although it is a rewarding experience, and can be financially and emotionally trying. Brandi knows this first hand. Before attending university, Brandi spoke to councilors and advisors on what would be the best path for her to take. They all gave her the same answer, do what you love. So she did. She completed a Bachelor of Science at Memorial University, with a major in Physics and a minor in Math. Upon completing her degree, Brandi was once again faced with what she feels was her biggest struggle during her schooling. "It's very difficult to find out what you want to do for the rest of your life, you obviously want to do something that you enjoy, and you don't want to force yourself to go to work everyday."
Wanting a find a career that utilized her abilities and training, as well as something enjoyable and rewarding, she began researching her options. She considered Law, as it was something that she had considered since grade six, but with further thought and research, she realized that this wasn't quite right for her. Then she considered teaching, as this would allow her to utilize her favorite subject areas, Math and Physics. It wasn't until her father came home one day and told her about a young man he'd met who had the same degree that Brandi had and became a meteorologist. Immediately Brandi felt as though this might be something worth looking into. Meteorology isn't one of those careers that you hear much about, she explains. When she went to career councilors or did online career matching tests, meteorology never came up as a match, always something like engineering or research. She did a little online searching and became more reassured that this might be the career for her. She called Environment Canada, Serco and other weather offices, and spoke to other meteorologists. She then applied to one of the six schools in Canada that offer Metoerology programs. She was accepted to Dalhousie University in Halifax, and although she was accepted into other programs at other schools, her mind was already made up.
Dalhousie being more expensive than MUN, and student loans only willing to provide a percentage of the required costs of schooling, Brandi turned to the Labrador Metis Nation. "I don't know what I would've done if I didn't get the funding from Metis for the last year." Brandi expressed abundant gratitude for the assistance that the LMN provided. 'They always told me when we talked, if you need someone to talk to, we're always here. If was more than financial support, it was emotional support as well.'
Upon the completion of her training, Brandi began searching for a job in her field. She hoped to find a job in either Gander or Goose Bay, as this was where her family lived, and although she had accepted the fact that she may have to leave the province to find work, she hoped that she would get an opportunity to stay. Although there were no positions available that she knew of, she put a resume in with Serco, and to her surprise, a position had just opened up. She is now a Forecaster, doing aviation forecasting with the Serco Weather Office in Happy Valley – Goose Bay, and she couldn't be happier.