Discussion on Curriculum Guidelines for a Bachelor's Degree in Atmospheric Science - A Private Sector Perspective

The American Meteorological Society plans to adopt updated curriculum guidelines for a Bachelor’s Degree in Atmospheric Science by the end of 2024. The last update to the statement was adopted by AMS Council on May 30^th, 2017. Several boards and committees within AMS have highlighted the need for curriculum that supports future private sector employment, including the Board of Higher Education, the now-permanent Mind the Gap committee, the Board of Private Sector Meteorologists, and other areas of the AMS where private sector employment is concerned. Over the last year, the Board on Best Practices subcommittee has been tasked with creating the statement on ‘Best Practices for Preparing Students for work in the Private Sector.’ As outlined in the latest draft (dated January 4, 2023) of the AMS curriculum guidelines for a Bachelor's Degree in Atmospheric Science, this Best Practice statement will be intended to "provide guidance on skillsets essential to the private sector".

This proposed panel discussion, involving a representative from the Board on Best Practices, Mind the Gap Committee, and Board of Higher Education, will address the motivation and development of the updated curriculum guidelines for effectively preparing students for private sector education.