Meteorology Grad Making a Difference as a Mentor

You might bargain with a colleague to sit in on a meeting for you or take a turn refilling the coffee. Paige Swenson Konieczny (’20) is more likely to jokingly offer to swap duties so a colleague will make a 4 a.m. balloon launch in her place.

It's a crucial part of her job with the National Weather Service. As impressive as it is to see those balloons rise, a meteorologist is well aware of just how cold it can get in the high desert before sunrise.

Hers is not a standard nine-to-five job. Day shifts are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., evening shifts from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and the midnight shift from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

“We are a 24/7, 365-day-a-year agency. Weather doesn’t take a break, so we have to be here, prepared,” says Konieczny.

Conditions Favorable to the Making of a Meteorologist

Thunderstorms didn’t frighten Konieczny as a child; they intrigued her. Growing up just outside Kansas City, thunder and lightning sparked her curiosity. In high school, she decided to become a meteorologist.

Her search for the right university led her to the B.S. in Applied Meteorology program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Arizona Campus. She graduated in 2020.

The Prescott location was appealing because it put her close to extended family and brought her back to an area where she vacationed growing up. The compact campus, small class sizes and the program’s impressive placement rate were also key factors in her final choice. She says, “I knew it’s where I wanted to go. I loved everything about it.”

Despite initial concerns about the cost, Embry-Riddle ultimately became her most affordable option, thanks to scholarships and financial aid.

Konieczny’s education included valuable networking and internships despite some detours to remote work due to the pandemic. She worked with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, where she assisted with monsoon season balloon launches and developed connections that continue to prove beneficial.

Additionally, Konieczny received a prestigious scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program provides undergraduates with financial support and exposure to NOAA’s mission, including oceanic, atmospheric and environmental sciences during a 10-week internship.

Tracking: From Student to Mentor

Konieczny’s time at Embry-Riddle was enriched by her involvement in the university’s Aerospace Advisory Board. As a student representative, she gained insight into the needs and expectations of the industry and bridged the gap between students and professionals.

Reflecting on this experience, she notes, “It was a big confidence boost. After I gave a presentation, I had a line of about eight different industry people, all from different walks of the aviation world, waiting to talk to me.”

Today, as a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Flagstaff, Arizona, her daily responsibilities include creating forecast packages, delivering partner briefings, conducting fire weather forecasts and launching weather balloons.

She emphasizes the importance of strong communication skills in her role, stating, “Being a really good communicator is extremely important to ensure complex scientific data is conveyed clearly and effectively to partners and the public.”

Konieczny continues to give back to the field by reaching out to students. As a member of the Aerospace Advisory Board, she mentors students and advocates for the meteorology program.

She feels she gets back as much as she gives. “I’ve been doing my best to give back in ways that I can and just be a mentor to students who want to pursue a career in the National Weather Service.”

Meteorology professor Curtis James acknowledges the special contribution she makes as a graduate of the program. “Paige is a stellar alumna of our Applied Meteorology program. She has served enthusiastically on our Aviation Advisory Board, giving valuable advice for improving our curriculum. She has also dedicated a considerable amount of time helping us to attract new students and financial assistance to keep our program state of the art.”

Education sharpened Konieczny’s core competencies, which are essential for a meteorologist — analytical abilities and clear communication. By developing her math and computer proficiency and fine-tuning her attention to detail, she graduated well-prepared to excel in a career that demands critical thinking and a willingness to harness science to protect the greater good.