WATERLOO - Graduating students in the University of Waterloo's faculty of arts will learn at next week how to launch their careers in recessionary times from a leading expert on entrepreneurship.

Larry Smith, a UW economist renowned for supporting students and their ideas, will give a talk entitled Launching Your Career in Stormy Weather at an event billed as the Arts Last Lecture. The 'sold-out' event, which is also open to senior undergraduates, takes place Monday, March 30 at 4:30 p.m. in the Theatre of the Arts, a 500-seat facility located in the Modern Languages building.

He will discuss how students can launch an arts career during difficult economic conditions. He will provide examples from a variety of circumstances to show them how they can realistically pursue their dreams.

"Now more than ever, our graduates must pursue their passion," said Smith. "They need a plan to find out their passion, but nature does not pursue a single pathway and neither should they."

A recipient of UW's distinguished teacher award, Smith teaches introductory microeconomics, macroeconomics and entrepreneurship courses.

Over the years, Smith has advised many former students on how to start up a business, position their business and obtain financing from venture or angel funding.

He is also part of an economics consulting business called Essential Economics Inc. It has provided economic research over the years to companies and government organizations.