For some students, they have known what they wanted to be for as long as they can remember. Whether it is biology, nursing, elementary education or theatre, some just seem to be sure of what they will be when they grow up. However, this is not the case for many, and this was not the case for Kristin Sandeno. Sandeno is the manager of the Women’s Soccer team, is getting her coaching endorsement and is a sports media and marketing and art double major. But that was not Sandeno’s plan when she came to college.
“Originally I wasn’t involved in art at Northwestern and did not take an art class here until my sophomore year,” Sandeno said. “I came in undecided and was not sure what I wanted to do but at the end of my sophomore year I decided to double major with an endorsement.” The choice to double major and to be involved in athletics has not been without its challenges. “Being a college athlete is not an easy thing, and my respect goes out to anyone who does it.” Sandeno said. “Being an art major means that I have to take a lot of time to do the majority of my work in person. Unfortunately, that means that I typically need to take a trip to the art building which in reality is not that far but in the winter weather can be miserable.”
Not having the ability to bring class work wherever can be difficult when traveling for sports. “It took a while to figure out my balance between my athletics and my time at the art building but through some trial and error I have figured out how to see where in my schedule I would have time to be in the art building, while still being able to attend anything my team requires for me to be at.” Sandeno said.
However, there have been some pluses to being in the art department. “The art department is not the biggest department on campus, but Scorza, Charbonneau and Williams are all very knowledgeable about the world of arts,” Sandeno said. “I have pestered Scorza more times than I can count, and his ability to answer almost everything I have questions about is something I find extremely useful. I appreciate how much knowledge our art professors have.”
This year, Sandeno has also gotten involved in the new NWCore Create program. In addition, Sandeno has become involved in a project with Prairie Ridge and the NW Art Department. “Over the course of the last few months, myself and the others involved in this project have gone to see and get to know residents at Prairie Ridge and will be putting together an art show for the center and their residents,” Sandeno said.
At the end of the day, Sandeno did not decide to be an art major out of convenience or because that is what she always dreamed of doing. Instead, she said, “I enjoy art and hope to always have it involved in my life, so I figured the more I know and can do with it, the more I can keep it involved in my life or in my professional career.” So go try things and find what you love.
