As Dua Lipa plays on loop in the background at 2:24 AM in the night, I find myself in reflective mode, replaying the highs and lows of Term 1 electives (and life). Yes, this is peak student behaviour. Ten months into the program, I’ve realized one thing—time at Ivey moves at warp speed.
When I spoke to seniors last year, they said electives were supposed to be the “chill” term. A lie. If core term was a treadmill at speed 10, electives were a solid 8.75—but way more enjoyable, like you’re finally warmed up and sprinting toward the finish line (almost).
Here’s a quick recap of my electives I took and the lessons that stuck with me:
Anomalies in Strategy
Hands down, my favourite elective. As a marketer, I was drawn to the intersection of behavioural economics and consumer insights—it felt like untangling why we do what we do. This course forced me to confront my own biases and rethink consumer behaviour from a fresh lens.
NGL there were moments where I felt completely lost, but Joshua Foster’s knack to break down complex concepts made all the difference. This class was equal parts humbling and rewarding - 10/10 would recommend to all marketers.
New Venture Creation
With my low-risk appetite and a family background steeped in entrepreneurship, I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of building something from scratch. Sarah Landstreet’s unconventional approach and boss lady vibes made every class feel like a creativity masterclass.
From brainstorming ideas to business planning to dissecting real-life entrepreneurial failures, this course made entrepreneurship feel attainable rather than a distant dream. Hearing my peers share their plans to pursue ideas born in this class was incredibly inspiring. The highlight for me was the mock Dragon’s Den pitch to raise funds for our ideas. It was daunting but a lot of fun!
Consumer Marketing
As someone rooted in B2B, this elective was a refreshing dive into the world of day-to-day consumer products. The cases focused on consumer personas, journeys, and the decisions that drive them. The real kicker, though, was the group project.
Picture this: on-field research in stores, talking to strangers, and observing everything from shelf placement to packaging. It forced us to step out of our comfort zones and into the real world, where the magic of consumer marketing truly happens. Matthew Diamond also brought exceptional guest speakers, who shared real campaigns and invited us to provide feedback. These sessions offered a rare glimpse into the decision-making process behind successful marketing strategies.
Corporate Strategy
This was the only 8AM class I had, and Glenn R. made early wake-up worth it (long case readings aside). His approach to corporate strategy through frameworks was something new for me, and he frequently tied lessons to his personal experiences in the Navy—a refreshing perspective on how strategy transcends industries.
The guest speakers were executives from legacy businesses who shared stories of navigating pivotal corporate crossroads, grounding the theory in real-world applications. While caffeine was mandatory, this course and professor delivered.
TLDR
Electives were a good blend of fun conversations, late-night submissions, and way too many coffee runs. As Term 2 looms, I leave you with this: pick electives that excite you, even if they intimidate you. Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Read the course outlines, talk to professors, and embrace the fear.
Because if you’re not slightly terrified, are you even doing it right? For questions – reach out! 😊