Alex Forbes

Alex Forbes

B.A. Geosciences, Professional Meteorology, 2021

Alex Forbes, a 2021 Mississippi State University graduate, chose MSU during his college search after noticing the sheer amount of success MSU meteorology majors had in obtaining jobs after college.  

“When I was looking at different colleges, I already knew broadcast meteorology was what I wanted to do. Mississippi State really stood out right away because so many people who graduate from MSU go on to have awesome careers,” said Forbes, who currently works as an on-air meteorologist at FOX 5 Atlanta.

“It was hard to ignore how many alumni from Starkville have moved up through TV markets so quickly, which is something I was aiming to do. And when I toured campus, it was obvious you get the full SEC atmosphere while still having that smaller-school, close-knit feel.”

Once on campus, Forbes immersed himself in professional organizations that helped shape his career path. He spent three years serving on the board of the East Mississippi Chapter of the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society. “That experience ended up having one of the biggest impacts on my career because it connected me to the meteorology industry beyond just the university. It gave me the chance to build relationships with professionals before I even graduated, connections I probably wouldn’t have made otherwise.”

He also gained hands-on research experience through a major regional project, VORTEX-SE, in which Mississippi State participated. “Through that, I worked with Dr. Mike Brown and had the insightful opportunity to launch weather balloons from Starkville and Memphis ahead of severe weather events,” said Forbes. “We saw data from different levels of the atmosphere in real time. Hands-on experiences like that still shape the way I think about forecasting today, even if I’m in front of the green screen rather than being in the field.”

In the classroom, Forbes credits his broadcast meteorology practicum courses and Instructor Lindsay Poe with helping his transition into the professional world. “Because he has real, first-hand experience in the field, he does an amazing job preparing students for the challenges we face in the real world. I truly credit those classes with helping me feel ready for the industry and even having a job lined up and a contract signed months before graduation,” said Forbes.

After graduating, Forbes began his career at 13-WMAZ, the CBS affiliate in Macon, Georgia. He started in the weekend evening shift as a meteorologist and was promoted to weekday mornings within a year. During his time there, he served as the primary meteorologist for multiple significant weather events and led coverage on several occasions. After three years with 13-WMAZ, he moved to FOX 5 Atlanta, where he currently works weekend mornings. In his role, he maintains the station’s weather graphics and builds relationships with local emergency managers.

One of Forbes’ proudest professional milestones has been returning to his hometown market of Atlanta so early in his career. “Since Atlanta is a top 10 media market, making a jump like that so early in a career is pretty rare. The College of Arts and Sciences helped set me up for success as early as my sophomore year, preparing me to excel in an internship the following summer. That internship directly led to my first job and ultimately opened the door for me to return to Atlanta much sooner than I ever expected,” said Forbes.

Outside of work, Forbes enjoys spending time with friends in Atlanta, traveling to the beach and visiting friends in other cities. He is also a Braves fan and frequently attends baseball games.

He remains closely connected to both his MSU community and his college friendships. “I have a friend group from college that will be friends for life. In fact, we went to a wedding in Frace for one of our friends last year,” said Forbes. “When I think of the MSU community, that's what comes to mind. In terms of staying connected to the university, I think my answer is not too different from most. I try to make it to Starkville twice a year for football and baseball.”

Forbes’ advice to today’s Mississippi State students is simple but direct: “Say yes to any opportunity that comes at you. That includes if you might not understand it completely, if you might feel like a fish out of water, or if you think you're ‘too young’ to be part of it. If you don't say yes, someone else will. Those excuses mean you'll miss out on something that could be your launching point.”