Program: Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in The Business of Cannabis
Hometown: Hoboken, NJ
Considering transitioning from your current career to a career in cannabis? After working as a clinical audiologist and personally experiencing cannabis’s medical benefits, Laura pivoted and entered LIM’s master’s degree program in The Business of Cannabis. Her goal is to work for a company where she can support the continued ethical growth and betterment of the cannabis industry.
What is your educational and professional background?
I graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s in Communication Disorders in 2012, going on to receive a Doctorate in Audiology from Northwestern University in 2015.
After graduating, I worked as a clinical audiologist at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where I helped develop their pediatric and adult cochlear implant programs, and then moved on to private practice.
For the entirety of my audiology career, I had the opportunity to serve patients from primarily low-income and underinsured/uninsured households, across all ages from newborns to people over 100 years old!
Why did you choose to enroll in LIM’s MPS in The Business of Cannabis program?
I became a patient in New Jersey’s medical cannabis program to manage severe migraine headaches several years ago and I couldn’t believe how quickly I noticed a difference in the frequency and severity of my headaches. So, I developed a passion for cannabis reform and destigmatizing its public perception.
Around the same time, I was beginning to feel burnt out working in healthcare. While I loved connecting with and helping patients, I needed to pursue something more personally and creatively fulfilling. When I learned about LIM’s master’s degree program in The Business of Cannabis, it felt like the perfect opportunity to pivot.
What has your experience in the program been like?
I’ve had a great experience so far. The students come from a variety of professional backgrounds and the range of classes offered covers every corner of the industry, making it applicable to everyone.
What are the courses and professors like?
So far, the courses have been incredibly interesting and thought-provoking. I’ve really enjoyed seeing how they each tie together with one another into the industry.
The professors are hands-on and very supportive of our budding careers in cannabis. They’ve all been unbelievably knowledgeable about their subject matter, and it has been great to get to know them!
What kinds of extra-curricular experiences have you had?
I’ve gotten involved with LIM’s Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) chapter. In addition to supporting efforts around cannabis reform, SSDP focuses on global drug policy reform and maximizing harm reduction.
What are your career goals?
My ultimate goal is to work for a company whose people I connect with, and whose values align with mine and support the continued ethical growth and betterment of the cannabis industry. As this program has prepared me for a range of different career paths within the industry, I’m excited to explore what options are out there!
What do you think about the future of the cannabis industry?
I’m optimistic about the future of the industry, especially as cannabis-focused university programs continue to develop. It won’t be long before this industry becomes so large that cannabis-related topics become regular university courses and majors across the country, resulting in a knowledgeable and passionate workforce.