Meet Alex, a first-year engineering student at the University of Waterloo who comes from a family of skilled tradespeople. Growing up, Alex was surrounded by conversations about craftsmanship and the importance of hands-on experience, which sparked their interest in integrating practical skills with engineering concepts. Eager to explore different fields and possibilities, Alex often finds themselves contemplating the intersections between technical education and trade skills, leading to their succinct comment about the potential for trade connections in the academic landscape.