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As a first-year with no academic direction and a drive to make the most of the liberal arts curriculum, I registered for a foundational entrepreneurship course, Consumer Product Ventures (ENT-0161), to begin in the fall semester of my sophomore year. I had no background in this subject whatsoever: I had not joined any of the entrepreneurs clubs on campus, had never researched upcoming ventures in the market, and certainly no entrepreneurial experience. Looking back as a senior, I had no idea the academic fulfillment I would get from this department at Tufts. 

The course catalog creates a strong foundation for students entering any kind of business venture, no matter what other subjects they study. From finance to marketing, there are specialities for everyone to learn and further develop their expertise. There are also certain skills that are improved in all the classes – I know I have felt exponentially more confident in my public speaking skills since taking entrepreneurship courses, since in every class there have been many opportunities to get up in front of my peers and present a speech or presentation. Every class also has aspects of teamwork building, which not only enhances those skills, but has also introduced me to friends I still keep in contact with.

Additionally, there are courses that allow students to step out of their comfort zones and try something new. In my junior year, I took a class called Introduction to Making (ENT-0164). As an English major, I had never before considered registering for any STEM-based class, since I was positive I would not have the academic background necessary. However, this class was the perfect introduction to a whole new side of Tufts I had not known existed. The course description describes the class as “an exploratory course that gives you the practical, hands-on skills to make working prototypes.” 

As the description entails, this was a hands-on experience class, and the first one I took at Tufts! I got to develop techniques in using foamboard, 3D printing, laser-cutting, electronics, and Arduino programming. Most classes included visits to the NOLOP Center, a makerspace in our very own Science and Engineering Complex, where we got to experiment working with all these materials and collaborate with each other on how to best build various prototypes. Can you imagine – an English major using the laser-cutting machine in the Engineering building! It was truly a special experience for me.

Finally, I want to express my immense gratitude for the professors and administrators. Each of the professors that I have taken a class with have experience with their own ventures or startups, making the material of each course very applicable to real life. They are all passionate about what they do, and truly want to see each student succeed and improve their skills. Beyond the professors, the Derby Entrepreneurship Center connects us to an expansive network of mentors, alumni, and industry leaders. Through various events like networking nights and fireside chats, we get to engage with people who are deeply entrenched in the startup world. Their insights and support have helped many students bring their ideas to life, and even secure internships and funding.

If you are a potential student who is unsure about how to learn business skills without a business major at Tufts, any entrepreneurship minor will tell you that the Derby Entrepreneurship Center teaches you all of that and more. If you want the chance to innovate, connect, and create, then Tufts is the place to be.