Alumni in the Hub: Maximizing Your Arts Degree

Wednesday, March 9, 2022 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm EST (GMT -05:00)
Turned off Macbook on table alongside a coffee mug and pencils

Are you wondering what you can do right here right now at the University of Waterloo to put yourself out there in the career world? Unsure of the career options you will have after graduation? Where your Arts degree can take you? 

Alumni in the Hub: Maximizing Your Arts Degree 

A panel featuring alumni with different Arts degrees discussing what activities, courses and opportunities they were involved in during their time at the University of Waterloo. Each alumnus will share how these opportunities have helped them in their current careers to inspire you to maximize your Arts degree.

Meet the participating Alumni guests!

Alumni Guests


Headshot of Geoff

Geoff Cowper-Smith - BA'03 (Drama and Theatre) 

Geoff graduated from the Arts & Business program at Waterloo in 2003. After graduation, he initially spent several years working in film and TV as a close-to-starving actor and started an information technology company to support his performing arts habit. Nearly 20 years later, Geoff is now an experienced corporate lawyer who provides strategic advice to executives and boards on a variety of critical issues, in areas such as commercial strategy, litigation strategy, shareholder activism and corporate governance. Currently, he is Chief Legal Officer at Fero International Inc., an organization that manufactures cutting-edge modular infrastructure for healthcare and disaster relief applications. Prior to joining Fero, Geoff was Chief Legal Officer of Aleafia Health Inc., a TSX-listed public company with an international footprint in a highly regulated industry and he also practiced law at Goodmans LLP, one of Canada's leading business law firms.  

Headshot of Sara Kannan

Sara Kannan - BA'16 (English)

Sara graduated the University of Waterloo with an Honours BA in English Literature and Rhetoric, with co-op. She currently works as a technical writer at Artic Wolf. Artic Wolf is a cybersecurity firm located near R&T Park. Sara speaks highly of her experince at UWaterloo stating, "Since I moved back to Canada to attend UWaterloo, I didn't know anyone in the area outside my family. I made some very deep, meaningful, and lasting friendships during my degree that have led to opportunities for employment and career advancement (myself and friends), to give back, and to showcase my writing". 

Andrea headshot

 Andrea Sparrey - BA'99 (Political Science)

Andrea graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Studies and Political Science, Co-op. She then launched her career at Intria Items Inc., a subsidiary of CIBC (her final co-op term). Andrea’s lifetime love of coaching others was fostered through the co-op program at Waterloo and has permeated all aspects of her life.

Sonya Verheyden Headshot

Sonya Verheyden - MA'95 (French)

Sonya graduated the University of Waterloo with an Honours BA in French and Speech Communications. She then completed an MA in French. Currently Sonya works as VP Customer Success and Business Development at Premium Retail Services. She leads the development and implementation of marketing programs that invovle creating sales and marketing teams and resources for brands in the mobile, technology and consumer electronics space. Sonya's time at UWaterloo taught her important skills that have been essential in her marketing and sales career.