Meet Alex Tran, a third-year Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Waterloo, who recently completed a co-op term at a prominent aerospace and defense company. Passionate about aviation, Alex initially dreamed of working on innovative design projects. However, after experiencing the rigorous and procedural nature of the industry firsthand, they now find themselves disillusioned with the repetitive tasks often assigned to co-op students. With a keen eye for opportunities that balance theoretical knowledge and practical design work, Alex actively seeks advice on alternative co-op positions that might better align with their aspirations.