UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Raegan Medgie wanted to expand her knowledge of weather forecasting but needed a program that fit her life and career as a TV broadcaster in New York. She found the knowledge and flexibility in the online Weather Forecasting certificate program from Penn State World Campus.
Medgie is a reporter, meteorologist and anchor at Fox 5 News in New York and received a weather forecasting certificate offered online from Penn State World Campus. She earned her broadcast journalism undergraduate degree in 2003 and worked at various local affiliate TV stations in northeastern Pennsylvania and New York before landing a reporting job at The Weather Channel.
“It was during my time at The Weather Channel where I realized that weather is pretty cool,” Medgie said, noting that she did not specialize in meteorology when she got her bachelor’s degree. She served as the New York-based national correspondent where she reported on winter storms, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and other weather events. Medgie got airtime on “Wake Up with Al,” “AMHQ with Sam Champion,” MSNBC shows and local New York broadcasts.
Medgie transitioned back to local stations in New York City after her contract ended at The Weather Channel. Her positions were set to focus on news reporting, but weather forecasting was a recurring opportunity. Medgie knew she had the experience, but felt she lacked the specialized education.
When Medgie moved to Fox 5, meteorology once again presented itself as a career opportunity. She had researched meteorology degree programs around 2015 but said the cost and time commitment did not make sense at that point in her life.
Fast-forward to January 2020, when Medgie decided to revisit her search, including online program options at Penn State. The cost and yearlong time commitment were both attainable with her career, she said.