Oaksterdam/Working at a dispensery

[Mafioso]

Ive been considering going to a trade school for a little while now. I heard about oaksterdam university(http://www.oaksterdamuniversity.com/) and for somewhat obvious reasons I was immediately interested. I believe its a 1 semester program with an optional advanced semester and an optional test to get a "certificate". For the basic semester it will cost around $5500- not much less than a real university where you can earn a real degree.

Has anyone taken any classes at the school? Will a certificate offer any advantages of employment in this market?

 

[carr90]

Shit so do they have job placement ? Better know your nugs ! but u are from cali so....

 

[Transcendence]

I can't imagine what they would teach you there that any recreational pot smoker wouldn't already know. Sounds like a massive waste of money, unless it guarantees job placement.

 

[Mafioso]

i dont think they guarantee a job but a bunch of employers post job openings on their site. a couple require a degree from oaksterdam, but most require previous experience in a field that oaksterdam cant offer.

 

[Mariposa]

No job placement, no accreditation, competition is ridiculous within the industry. If you have the money and the interest to spare, go to their initial basic seminar (which I think is $250). Check out the basic seminar before you make the commitment. I personally think you could put $5500 better elsewhere (maybe an accredited AA in botany?) and make your own contacts in the cannabis industry, but others will disagree. OU offers no accredited degree and IMO is a bit too "for-profit" for me.

Through the study of botany, you will gain a skill that is marketable both in and out of the cannabis industry (which ought not be an industry at all, but that's exactly what it is).

 

[oohcow]

I think oaksterdam doesn't have enough accreditation yet... being so new and shit....

People are so oblivious on how the industry is out west.... PEOPLE ITS COMPETITIVE AS FUCK AND IF YOU DON"T KNOW ANYBODY and aren't currently "THE MAN" where you currently reside...DON"T EVEN THINK ABOUT MOVING OUT WEST TO START A "career".... GET REALISTIC.

EDIT: I have researched this industry inside and out... I have connections with in CO industry....and THAT is not even as competitive as CALI.....

You are better off in the black market NOT out west. if this is your aspiration.

but THAT would be illegal...

 

[Mafioso]

No job placement, no accreditation, competition is ridiculous within the industry. If you have the money and the interest to spare, go to their initial basic seminar (which I think is $250). Check out the basic seminar before you make the commitment. I personally think you could put $5500 better elsewhere (maybe an accredited AA in botany?) and make your own contacts in the cannabis industry, but others will disagree. OU offers no accredited degree and IMO is a bit too "for-profit" for me.

Through the study of botany, you will gain a skill that is marketable both in and out of the cannabis industry (which ought not be an industry at all, but that's exactly what it is).

Id have to agree with pretty much everything you said. The main reason I was considering going was for networking opportunities. I know its a crazy competitive industry, and even though OU has no accreditation I would think itd serve as atleast a starting point to get into the industry. But yeah, an accredited degree in botany would look much better and probably be alot more useful.

I might be crossing the line in asking, but are there any other ways of breaking into this industry apart from OU and a botany degree?

 

[RedLeader]

Wow, times really are changing. I thought this was a joke at first!

I agree with Mariposa about a degree in botany being a better option.

I might be crossing the line in asking, but are there any other ways of breaking into this industry apart from OU and a botany degree?

What exactly do you mean "breaking into the industry"? Sorry, I'm pretty far from California. If you're talking about doing illegal business with cannabis, then we'll have to go with BL's standard reply of "it's all about who you know or get to know." If this is something around medical marijuana or a political platform, and "networking" is not a synonym for "sourcing," then we can talk about it. Though we might switch forums.

 

[Mafioso]

well if I wanted to get into the legitimate medical marijuana business, how would I even begin to do so? I mean as far as I'm aware OU is the only organization set up for people who want to enter into this industry.

 

[LuGoJ]

well if I wanted to get into the legitimate medical marijuana business, how would I even begin to do so? I mean as far as I'm aware OU is the only organization set up for people who want to enter into this industry.

The same way you break into any industry. Get yourself in the door(start at the bottom if you have to) and get friendly with the owner, learn the ins and outs of the business while you are there, develop contacts while you are there.. that sort of thing.

 

[rant*N*rave]

To be honest, I wouldn't bother. The industry is EXTREMELY competitive, and somewhat dangerous (grow ops are frequent theft targets - an op I know of has ground sensors and armed guards to boot).

 

[oohcow]

If nobody reads what I have said.

there is a difference in the ILLEGAL and LEGAL aspects of the industry. BOTH are competitive and the way it is setup is if you havn't been in the game for a while now is NOT the best time to get into the LEGAL aspect of it.... considering 90% of Cali's product gets shipped Out of state for MORE money

THAT being said.

It is far more profitable, and less competitive for ya'll to STAY where you are at and continue your expertise in the green industry til you are competitive enough to get Legal.

Like i said. If you aren't currently running 6-9 kw setups and aren't the MAN currently where you reside.... You are not getting your foot in the door.

The legal side of things are ALOT more competitive and it seems like most the posters wanting to pursue this, couldn't even handle the illegal side.

EDIT: Mafioso, i see that you are in CALI... the HOTTEST location in the world for the legal cannabis site.

my advice is to make connections with your local dispensary owners... ask family if they have connects... It's all about the network.>>

although you would probably be better off being an illegal broker... but you wanted to be legit. So i'm telling you, get out and meet the people doin the damn thin already.