**Persona:** Alex Chen is a focused first-year engineering student at the University of Waterloo, hailing from a small town in Ontario. Known as a dedicated learner, Alex is navigating the challenges of university life while balancing a part-time job at a local tech startup. Driven by a desire to innovate and contribute to sustainable engineering solutions, Alex often engages with fellow students on Reddit to share insights and seek advice about co-op placements and study strategies.