Meet Alex Tran, a 20-year-old engineering student at the University of Waterloo, who grew up in a diverse and supportive family that always encouraged her to pursue her interests without limitations. With a penchant for friendly debates, Alex enjoys discussing her experiences in a male-dominated program and often reflects on the dynamics within her peer group. Though she primarily hangs out with her male friends, she values the different perspectives they bring to discussions about gender and inclusivity in STEM fields. Confident and open-minded, Alex believes in the importance of balance and recognizes that while challenges exist for women in engineering, her own experiences have been largely positive, which shapes her critical view of generalizations about gender stereotypes in academia.