Bringing Private Industry Perspective to University Students: AccuWeather's Outreach Approach

Universities require meteorology students to complete a strenuous curriculum that includes classes in atmospheric science, physics, mathematics, and communication. In addition to coursework, students develop skills by participating in clubs, extracurricular activities, internships, and conducting research with faculty. Despite having access to extensive resources and gaining core meteorological knowledge, there is a documented knowledge gap between what students know and the skills employers value. The recent “Mind the Gap” initiative and a 2023 AMS Hiring Manager Survey found that there is a lack of awareness among students and faculty about opportunities in private industry and the skills needed for success in those roles. For decades, AccuWeather has worked closely with universities across the country to bring awareness to the diverse career paths available to meteorologists at a private sector company. Initiatives include AccuWeather meteorologists leading map discussions as part of Penn State’s Campus Weather Service student organization, arranging job shadows of AccuWeather’s forecast operation for interested college and high school students, and presenting AccuWeather career paths and opportunities to meteorology programs both in person and virtually. AccuWeather meteorologists have also guest lectured at several universities, both in-person and virtually, for advanced forecasting classes. These lectures are focused on applying forecasting techniques learned in college to real-world client experiences, such as predicting a snowstorm for a department of transportation. These engagements have received positive feedback from professors, who emphasized the importance of exposing students to a diverse set of career and job paths as part of their role as faculty.