Mackenzie Desbiens

Graduated 2020

Double Major in Geography and the School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities

Hometown: Chatham-Kent, ON

After SASAH: Insurance Broker at Advanced Insurance Brokers Inc.

What attracted you to this program?

SASAH appealed to me because it provided an avenue to explore my many different interests at once. Going into university, I didn’t know what I wanted my future career to be, but SASAH allowed me to pursue a degree that was quite customizable. I was able to study both arts & humanities and geography courses, and I spent a year on exchange in England. 

"I was glad to be in a program with such interesting, diverse, and friendly people who supported each others’ successes along the way."

What are your thoughts about life as a SASAH student? What makes it unique? 

Being a SASAH student is incredibly unique. At first I was unsure of what the program was and whether or not I would fit in. By graduation, I was glad to be in a program with such interesting, diverse, and friendly people who supported each others’ successes along the way.

What lessons and skills contributed to your success after you graduated?

I am currently working as an insurance broker, which is completely unrelated to my degree. Although my majors don’t relate to this career path, the academic and social skills, confidence, and independence I gained through SASAH have definitely contributed. SASAH taught me how to navigate the working world with a sense of individuality and professionalism. 

As an experienced graduate, do you have any advice for current SASAH students?

My advice to future students is to seize all of the opportunities thrown your way - do not let fear hold you back. Try to network and build strong relationships with other SASAH students and your professors. Be open to everything you do in SASAH and trust the process, because it will pay off.