■ Higher Education
LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
■ Higher Education
“ With New Jersey ’ s cannabis industry on track to exceed 12,000 jobs this year , Stockton University ' s new degree program is crucial in supplying the knowledgeable and skilled workforce needed to sustain this growth ,” said Mejia .
Degree Details
The HACM degree from Stockton University , located in Galloway Township , NJ ,
The campus farm take cuttings from a mature plant and then grows the clones to maturity .
Photo : Stockton University is multifaceted with an emphasis on experiential learning grounded by rigorous business courses , such as Macroeconomics , Financial Accounting , Statistics , and Marketing .
As a required part of the cannabis curriculum , students must complete a paid internship , which will help them gain practical experience in cultivation , processing , product creation , inventory management , marketing , and regulatory compliance . Past students have interned in cultivation , processing labs , at dispensaries , with consultants , conducting market research , assisting in product development , and tracking down sales leads , said Mejia . Stockton works with the employer to ensure that valuable learning takes place and that students bring value to the business ’ operations . The internships last for one semester and most require about 5-10 hours of time per week .
“ Internships are a cornerstone of our cannabis curriculum , providing students with hands-on experience in everything from cultivation to market research , preparing them to bring immediate value to their future employers ,” said Mejia .
Stockton University ’ s innovative approach to cannabis education positions it at the forefront of a burgeoning industry . When students graduate , they are expected to have an excellent grasp of how businesses , especially hemp and cannabis businesses , operate .
“ Our graduates will be equipped for diverse roles within the hemp and cannabis sectors , from compliance officers to marketing directors , ensuring they can contribute significantly to the industry ' s expansion ,” he said .
Career Pathways
Graduates from the HACM program will be equipped for diverse roles in the hemp and cannabis industry , such as :
◾ Accountants
◾ Compliance Officers
◾ Inventory Control Managers
◾ Logistics Providers
◾ Lab Managers
◾ Shift Managers
◾ Farm Managers
◾ Regulators
◾ Consultants
◾ Marketing Directors
◾ Consumption Lounge Managers
◾ General Managers
If your business would like to offer an internship to students enrolled in Stockton ’ s HACM degree program , contact Adjunct Professor Rob Mejia at robert . mejia @ stockton . edu to discuss details . Professor Mejia has placed dozens of students in internships , is well versed in the field , and welcomes your outreach .
LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
Positive Thinking and Leadership
By Steve Adubato , PhD Freelance Contributor
“ Why don ’ t you just stop being so argumentative …?” “ If I could only get that raise , everything would be great .” It ’ s natural for all of us to see the problems and challenges in our lives more often than focusing on what is going right . Consider the following tips to having a more positive outlook that will help you become a more effective leader and communicator :
◾ Celebrate the “ wins .” For that guy who complains about not getting a raise , but finally does get it , look what happens just a few months after . He is complaining about something else like , “ Why does Jim get the corner office and not me ?” It is more beneficial to focus on what is good around us rather than continually looking for something to complain about .
◾ Check your mood . Spend energy focusing on your mood and remaining upbeat , which will help you stay in a healthier frame of mind . Attitude is a choice , so it is essential to be present , grateful , and aware of the greatness in the world around us .
◾ Focus on what you CAN control . There is so much outside of our control , yet we waste precious time and energy pushing and pulling in so many directions . We must work to lead change ; however , we must also have the self-awareness of what we cannot control so that we can let those items go .
◾ Reframe your self-talk . The conversations we have with ourselves are often more powerful than those we have with others . Instead of thinking , “ I ’ ll never get this done .” Reframe it to , “ I must break this down into manageable action items .”
◾ Surround yourself with positive people . Negative individuals increase your stress level . Positivity , and negativity for that matter , are contagious . Therefore , be intentional about surrounding yourself with co-workers with positive attitudes .
Steve Adubato , PhD , is the author of five books including , “ Lessons in Leadership .” His sixth book , “ Lessons in Leadership 2.0 : The Tough Stuff ,” will be released in summer 2023 . He is an Emmy ® Award-winning anchor with programs airing on Thirteen / WNET ( PBS ) and NJ PBS . He has also appeared on CNN , NPR and NBC ’ s Today Show . Steve Adubato ' s “ Lessons in Leadership ” video podcast with co-host Mary Gamba airs Sundays at 10:00 a . m . on News 12 +. For more information visit www . Stand-Deliver . com
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / Cecilie _ Arcurs