Casey McKay

• Field and focus area of study: Integrative Plant Sciences; Hemp Sciences
• Hometown: Novato, CA
• Fun fact: I’m a backcountry guide and I lead multi-week kayak expeditions!
• View Casey's LinkedIn Profile

What are your short-term and long-term career goals? 

My short term career goal is to get as much experience as possible in the hemp and plant industry. At Cornell, I won the Frederick Dreer Award which is given to a Horticulture graduate student who is interested in research abroad. This award allowed me to work for a hemp processing facility in the South of France. This position is allowing me to experience the hemp industry in France which is years ahead of the American industry. Afterwards I will be able to bring back my knowledge from the French industry to the American hemp industry. Long term I’m not entirely sure, I love working with my hands and being outside so I try to find careers where I’m always moving. But I know that if I’m working with plants in the outdoor industry I’ll be happy. 

Why did you choose to pursue the CALS MPS degree?

I chose to pursue the CALS MPS degree because it is an accelerated one year program that allowed me to pursue my passion of hemp. I have always been interested in hemp and knew that I wanted to pursue a career in it, but since it is such a niche area of study it was hard for me to find an academic program that fit my needs. The CALS MPS program’s specificity allowed me to not only pursue research in hemp, but it also provided me with multiple classes and hands-on labs that not only focused on industrial hemp but also practical cannabis industry knowledge. 

What are the strengths of the CALS MPS degree program? 

The strengths of the CALS MPS degree program is the amount of connections you make in your time in the program. I would not have received the opportunities that I had received without the connections that I made through my classmates, professors, and advisors.

What courses were your favorite? Why?

The courses that were my favorite were Hydroponics, Plant Propagation, and Greenhouse Management. A common theme in all of these classes was that I was able to grow my own plants in the Cornell Greenhouses and take them home at the end of the semester! I loved the hands-on labs and having assignments that were very similar to real world projects. 

How has your MPS experience changed you, both personally and professionally?  

Before enrolling in the MPS program, I was on track to become a Sustainability Consultant for large firms, leveraging my background in business and sustainability. Despite the promising career prospects, I realized that this path did not bring me the fulfillment I was seeking. I needed a change and a chance to explore new areas that aligned more closely with my interests and passions. The MPS program provided the perfect opportunity for this transition, allowing me to delve deeply into plant science—a field I had always been curious about but had not previously had the opportunity to study. Through the program, I gained comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience in plant science, opening up exciting new career possibilities and reigniting my enthusiasm for my professional journey.

What has been the most memorable or impactful part of being in the IPS MPS program? 

The most memorable part of the program for me was the MPS Symposium at the end of the year. It was so rewarding to see all of my peers present their final Capstone projects and to present mine as well. I watched everyone work tirelessly on their projects all year, and to finally see the culmination of their hard work was incredible. The diversity in all of the final Capstone Projects, even just in the IPS MPS program allowed for it to be an enriching experience. This diversity not only highlighted the versatility of the MPS program but also fostered a dynamic exchange of ideas and inspired us all.