{"683059":{"#nid":"683059","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Same Degree, Different Destinations","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAn early curiosity about weather led\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMelissa Nord,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EEAS 2013\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u003C\/strong\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EAnthony Diaz,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EEAS 2001, MBA 2013,\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eto pursue degrees from the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech. Although both launched careers grounded in science and meteorology, they\u2019ve since navigated strikingly separate professional paths.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ENord is currently a meteorologist with Atlanta\u2019s 11Alive News, while Diaz is a\u0026nbsp;senior director, strategy and planning at The Coca-Cola Company.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EParallel beginnings\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAs children, both were scared, yet captivated by extreme weather events.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI was obsessed with watching weather reports, especially when hurricanes hit,\u201d says Nord.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESimilarly intrigued, Diaz eagerly viewed the maps depicting violent weather changes. \u201cI loved watching the orange severe weather wave sweep across the radar map. I even used our old IBM 386 to create weather maps and graphics!\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBoth Georgia natives chose Georgia Tech for its reputation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI looked at other schools with prestigious weather programs, but in addition to its strong academics, Tech offered the HOPE Scholarship. I couldn\u2019t pass that up,\u201d says Nord.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EDiaz looked at Georgia Tech as a beacon of opportunity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cFor me, it was all about the brand,\u201d shares Diaz. \u201cI thought if you went to Georgia Tech, you would be successful.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBoth cite the scientific foundation received at Georgia Tech as critical to their careers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cTo understand weather, you need to understand the science behind it,\u201d Nord explains. \u201cThe skills I learned at Georgia Tech \u2014 coding, solving complex math problems, and comprehending fluid dynamics of the atmosphere \u2014 I still use today.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhen asked how his background in weather ties to business strategy, Diaz doesn\u2019t hesitate. \u201cIt\u2019s all about validating the data. Surprisingly, forecasting the weather and forecasting your budget are similar. As someone trained in science, I have that mentality of questioning the numbers and using critical thinking to follow the data until I have the right answer.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EShared roots, divergent routes\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EDiaz initially enrolled at Georgia Tech as a chemical engineering major but switched to EAS based on his interests in meteorology and earthquakes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI thought it was going to be fun,\u201d says Diaz. \u201cI didn\u2019t realize it was going to be challenging. It turned out to be both.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EDiaz and Nord praise Georgia Tech\u2019s emphasis on research and experiential education.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI realized I had picked the right career during a credit-based internship with the National Weather Service,\u201d says Nord. \u201cWhile researching warning lead times for the 2011 Super Tornado Outbreak, it hit home that meteorology saves lives.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn addition to the National Weather Service, she also held internships with FOX, ABC, and The Weather Channel and started a weather show on Georgia Tech\u2019s cable network.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cIt wasn\u2019t exactly great TV,\u201d shares Nord. \u201cWe only taped once a week, but I loved it because it was all about the weather.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFor Diaz, a career-building opportunity came when a Georgia Tech professor recommended him for an internship at The Weather Channel.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThat internship was a baptism by fire,\u201d remembers Diaz. \u201cI learned a lot of valuable information in a very short time.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrom storms to strategy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EDiaz\u2019s internship evolved into a 15-year career with The Weather Channel. He started in forecasting, moved into graphic design and visualization, and eventually joined the IT side, directing many of The Weather Channel\u2019s digital transformation efforts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cAt Tech, you get used to learning things fast \u2013 that skillset helped me step up as a leader, teaching others to manage systems I\u2019d once used myself.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EDiaz returned to Georgia Tech in 2012, earning his MBA from the Scheller College of Business.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI didn\u2019t enroll to transition out of weather,\u201d says Diaz. \u201cBut seven-to-eight months into my global business program at Scheller, I realized there were so many new opportunities out there to explore, and I wanted to dive in and see what else was out there.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAfter completing his MBA, Diaz worked in consulting before moving to global giant Coca-Cola where he held roles in operational excellence, IT strategy, and HR strategy and planning.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe have a saying about careers at Coke: it\u2019s not a ladder, it\u2019s a playground,\u201d says Diaz. \u201cYou climb around, explore different pieces of equipment, and eventually reach the top of the jungle gym.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhen he examines his overall career, Diaz points to one important factor. \u201cI think the common thread is fun; I enjoy what I do.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHis advice to current EAS students?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThere are multiple tracks available to you. With the strength of Georgia Tech\u2019s brand behind you, doors will open. Follow your passions and what you enjoy, and don\u2019t be afraid to start over and branch out.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELooking back, Diaz is thankful for the Institute\u2019s role in his career. \u201cApplying to Georgia Tech set me up for success.\u0026nbsp;Without Tech and the incredible education that I was lucky enough to experience twice, I doubt I\u2019d be where I am today.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrom studying the air to on-air broadcasts\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAfter graduation, Nord began her career as a weekend meteorologist in Lexington, Kentucky, then honed her skills at WUSA 9 in the Washington, D.C.\/Baltimore, Maryland area, where she earned an\u0026nbsp;Associated Press and Emmy Award for Best Meteorologist\/Weather Anchor. Returning to Atlanta, she worked as a freelance meteorologist at CNN and The Weather Channel before joining 11Alive in 2020.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAs a meteorologist, the nuts and bolts of Nord\u2019s job revolve around broadcasting her forecast, but there is much more to it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cBeing a meteorologist is more than reading a teleprompter\u0026nbsp; \u2014 it\u2019s about outsmarting the models, interpreting complex patterns, and making critical calls when the atmosphere doesn\u2019t follow the script. Some days it\u2019s easy, on others it\u2019s a puzzle. But when you get it right, especially against the odds, that\u2019s a great day,\u201d says Nord.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ENord explains that the new online and streaming realm has completely redefined how people consume weather. In addition to delivering the forecast during 11Alive\u2019s 4 p.m. newscast, she\u2019s now writing online content, creating long-form videos and visuals, and giving live updates when severe weather hits.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhen severe weather strikes, Nord and other meteorologists are responsible for determining the best way to cover it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWith Georgia\u2019s wild weather swings, there\u2019s a lot we do behind the scenes, including determining how many reporters should cover an event, the best location to deliver the forecast, and how many warnings are needed,\u201d says Nord.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EShe is a frequent speaker at school and community events. \u201cAt my core, I\u2019m a science geek. Kids are just as fascinated by weather as I was, and I love encouraging their interest in STEM.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELike Diaz, she has found purpose and joy in her path, and the outlook for the future is bright:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cBeing a meteorologist is exciting, fulfilling, and challenging,\u201d says Nord. \u201cIt\u2019s my childhood dream come true.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Two EAS grads. Two career directions. One shared foundation."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBoth Anthony Diaz and Melissa Nord have EAS degrees, but they pursued divergent professional trajectories\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;one crafting on-air weather forecasts and the other forecasting strategic shifts in the corporate world.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Both Anthony Diaz and Melissa Nord have EAS degrees, but they pursued divergent professional trajectories \u2014 one crafting on-air weather forecasts and the other forecasting strategic shifts in the corporate world."}],"uid":"36607","created_gmt":"2025-07-09 18:00:15","changed_gmt":"2025-07-14 13:36:25","author":"ls67","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677384":{"id":"677384","type":"image","title":"EAS grad Anthony Diaz blends science and strategy in his role at The Coca-Cola Company, while EAS grad Melissa Nord translates complex weather data into clear, compelling forecasts for 11Alive viewers across Georgia.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEAS grad Anthony Diaz blends science and strategy in his role at The Coca-Cola Company, while EAS grad Melissa Nord translates complex weather data into clear, compelling forecasts for 11Alive viewers across Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1752162301","gmt_created":"2025-07-10 15:45:01","changed":"1752162301","gmt_changed":"2025-07-10 15:45:01","alt":"Head shots of a man and a woman.","file":{"fid":"261279","name":"diazandnordPicture1.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/10\/diazandnordPicture1.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/10\/diazandnordPicture1.png","mime":"image\/png","size":9892614,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/10\/diazandnordPicture1.png?itok=fuQniNIE"}}},"media_ids":["677384"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.gtalumni.org\/s\/1481\/alumni\/19\/interior.aspx?pgid=21370\u0026gid=21\u0026cid=47798","title":"Georgia Tech Alumni Association 40 Under 40 Class of 2021: Melissa Nord"},{"url":"https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/anthony-diaz","title":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Alumni Profile: Anthony Diaz"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"130","name":"Alumni"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"}],"keywords":[{"id":"506","name":"alumni"},{"id":"15911","name":"11 Alive"},{"id":"182679","name":"alumni stories"},{"id":"105821","name":"extreme weather"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELaura S. Smith, writer\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}