From Art to Marketing: The Magic of Open Electives

A detailed charcoal drawing featuring a teapot, a guitar, and other objects arranged against a textured background.

Most students have open electives and I have to mention how much you should use them to do something new or interesting. I have taken art classes, marketing classes and more! I really think it’s such a cool opportunity to try out something new. Open electives are there for you to experience different things, totally different fields of study, and of course new to you things. 

One of my favorite ways to fill an open elective is to take an art class. Now you can fill these with your Arts and Literature requirements, or you can do both and take even more art classes! I love art and getting to take a couple classes here and there has not only introduced me to the Art School, but to clubs and events in the art world. It also gives me time in school to do something I do as a hobby and improve it. It gives you an option to be creative. 

A pencil sketch of a building with large windows, a tree in the foreground, and a scooter parked near a brick wall.
A digital screenshot of a social media campaign management tool displaying options to create organic posts with a $5,000 budget.
Also because of open electives I had the opportunity to take a couple more marketing classes. I’m not a marketing major, but definitely do like that side of business. I managed to get into a social media marketing class and it was very helpful. This class has been so eye opening and fun too. We got to learn and try lots of many different things, from an online simulator, to creating strategy plans for companies.
All the classes at DePaul are amazing, and using an open elective to take something gives you a chance to try something new. It may take you out of your comfort zone as you’re not taking a class related to your major. You are still learning so many skills and opening up new resources. I love all my entrepreneur classes, but I also love filling my open electives with new and different things.

                                    ~Sienna

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