Reusable Pattern: Mindfulness Masters Careers

Student & Alumni Stories

Gina White ’17

Many people who enter college do so with a dream to change the world. Gina Rollo White, a 2017 Lesley graduate of the nation’s first ever mindfulness masters program, is well on her way – already changing the lives of thousands of this country’s most honored and often afflicted workers. White surveyed first responders as part of her thesis at Lesley to learn more about the trauma they faced. Her study and thesis work became the backbone of a program she developed that has helped thousands of medical professionals, veterans, and firefighters and law enforcement. Through her four-hour long seminar with first responders, she teaches something she has termed “tactical brain training®,” showing them how to regulate their nervous systems when they come in contact with a stressful situation and then again, after the event is over.

Student & Alumni Stories

Charles Morris ’19

These words stopped Charles Morris in his tracks: “You don’t need to change your job. You need to change the mind you bring to your job.” At the time, Charles was struggling to find his place in Microsoft’s competitive environment. After hearing this advice, Charles, a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism, chose to focus on transforming his mindset at work, rather than believing that the only solution was to find a new job. That decision made all the difference. Using the principles he learned in Lesley’s Mindfulness Studies program, he spearheaded a mindfulness program for Microsoft employees. Charles is now pursuing a PhD in Depth Psychology (Jungian/Archetypal Studies), integrating Jungian psychology, Tibetan Buddhism, and mindfulness.

Student & Alumni Stories

Margaret Fletcher ’17

Margaret describes her career change from financial services to teaching meditation and mindfulness as “a big leap into the unknown.” What began as a personal practice turned into a professional passion when Margaret took her first Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course. From there, she pursued the teaching training pathway at the Center for Mindfulness and earned her master’s degree in Mindfulness Studies from Lesley. “I landed in a situation where I can apply long-developed skills in business and more recently developed mindfulness teaching skills,” says Margaret. “I’m fortunate to be able to help train aspiring and developing MBSR teachers."

Student & Alumni Stories

Brian Thompson ’19

Brian is passionate about inspiring change in the lives of young people. After years of helping children and adolescents through social work, he’s shifted his focus to public school systems. Using what he’s learning at Lesley, he’s working toward developing a leadership program rooted in mindfulness practice for high school students. In doing so, he intends to empower young adults to pursue the futures they’ve dreamed of. “My hope is that by the time these students apply for college, they have a greater understanding of themselves, and that the decisions they make in terms of their future are made with intention,” says Brian.

Read Gina's full story.

Careers & Applications

Where Mindfulness Skills Are In Demand

From healthcare and education to business and first responders, a growing number of sectors are embracing mindfulness to alleviate stress and develop more productive learning and working environments.

Those who are trained in mindfulness will be in increasingly high demand in areas where their training can positively affect the wellbeing of others. Lesley’s programs emphasize the integration of mindfulness in a variety of professional practice settings, to provide you with a solid foundation in your chosen field.