Meet Alex, a pragmatic third-year co-op engineering student at the University of Waterloo. After a stellar interview with a company known for innovation, Alex was over the moon—until an enticing offer came in from a tech startup with a higher salary. Balancing ambition with financial security, Alex decided to trust their instincts and accept the better-paying role. Outside of academics, they enjoy hiking and coding side projects, always striving to improve their skills for their future endeavors.