How To Start A Career In The Cannabis Industry

The cannabis industry is the fastest growing in the entire United States job market. With the legalization of cannabis snowballing across the country, there has never been a better time to start your career in the industry. There are endless potentials for growth, and you'll get to spearhead the development of what is estimated to become a multibillion-dollar industry by 2025. If you're interested in building a career in the cannabis industry, here are some of the best ways to start.

     1. Pick a career path
Saying you want to work in the cannabis industry is about as general as saying you want to work in hospitality or business. You need to be specific about your ideal job role within the industry, focusing on your skills and strengths. You could choose to work in the agriculture and growing side of cannabis, customer service, sales, marketing, finance, compliance, and more! It's a massive industry with unlimited potentials, so narrow down where you want to focus your efforts.

     2. Obtain a certification
Cannabis is a medicinal plant, and therefore there is a lot of technical knowledge that you'll need when entering this industry. On top of that, since it's not fully legalized everywhere yet, there are compliance issues that you'll need to understand. The best place to start is by obtaining your certification at Excelsior College's Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control. Not only with this give you the technical and legal knowledge of the industry, but it also helps you to stand out from other applicants when applying for a job.

     3. Network
Like every other industry, knowing people on the inside is the best way to secure your dream job role. Surround yourself with others in the cannabis industry and start forming connections with them. Go to trade shows and introduce yourself to reps from different cannabis companies. Don't be pushy; be professional and let them know you're in the market for a position, and what it is that you do. When something fitting comes up, they are more likely to reach out with the opportunity.

     4. Check cannabis-specific job boards
Many online job boards showcase jobs specifically in the cannabis industry. These are a great place to start your search and see everything out there in your local area. If you are open to re-locating, then there are even more potential opportunities for you to choose from. Some of these job boards include Vangst, WeedHire, THCjobs, and 420careers, but you can also find posts on popular job boards like Indeed.

     5. Tweak your resume
If you're just getting started in the cannabis industry, you likely won't have any cannabis-related experience to note on your resume, and that's ok. Use your resume to highlight the skills that are sought after in the specific job role that you're applying to, such as communication skills for a customer service role. If you've got the skills for the role, plus a cannabis certification, then you'll be well on your way to securing your dream job in the cannabis industry.

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