The Choice.

It is March 2026, after finishing Computer Science at Cégep de Sherbrooke with straight A's, I'm heading to Université de Sherbrooke for Computer Engineering, but I must choose between two route which is, the fast track without internships, or the Co-op routes that will graduate me as a fully qualified engineer.

Choice 1 : Choose the shorter path without interships.

Choice 2 : Choose to take the Co-op path to graduate as a professional engineer.

First Semester.

I enter a program focused on theory, with long lectures and in-depth concepts. Without internships, I wonder if this knowledge alone will be enough. Should I work obsessively to succeed, or do I try to maintain balance?

Choice 1 : Choose to work obsessively to success.

Choice 2 : Choose to maintain balance.

First Internship.

I begin my first role as an intern. I am stepping into a real work environment to learn the ropes, and everything feels new, and it's slightly intimidating. Should I take initiative for extra tasks, or should I stay passive and just do the work I have to do?

Choice 1 : Choose to take initiative.

Choice 2 : Choose to stay passive.

Overworking.

I treat school like a full-time company, working nonstop to maintain top grades. At first, it feels productive, but soon it turns into exhausting drudgery. Should I ignore the stress and keep pushing, or should I search for help?

Choice 1 : Choose to ignore the stress and keep pushing.

Choice 2 : Choose to search for help.

Balanced Approach.

I manage my schedule carefully, practicing good time management to balance school and life. Still, I worry this approach might be a drawback compared to others pushing harder. Should I start a side project, or should I stay comfortable?

Choice 1 : Choose to start a side project.

Choice 2 : Choose to stay comfortable.

Burnout Hits.

The pressure builds, and I feel a serious lack of energy and motivation. Even simple tasks no longer feel manageable. Should I push through anyway, or should I admit that I'm overwhelmed?

Choice 1 : Choose to push trhough anyway.

Choice 2 : Choose to admit that I'm overwhelmed.

Getting Help.

I seek mentoring from professors and classmates. Their advice proves invaluable in helping, and I regain control. Should I fully apply their advice, or should I continue struggling despite the help?

Choice 1 : Choose to fully apply their advice.

Choice 2 : Choose to continue struggling despite the help.

Side Project.

I start a personal project to gain experience. I hope it will come in handy when applying for jobs. Should I fully commit my project to make it succeed, or should I lose the motivation along the way?

Choice 1 : Choose to fully commit to make it succeed.

Choice 2 : Choose to lose the motivation along the way.

Staying Comfortable.

I avoid extra effort and focus only on passing. I begin to fear ending up in a dead-end job after graduation. Should I continue this path and graduate quietly, or should I go search for help?

Choice 1 : Choose to continue this path.

Choice 2 : Choose to search for help.

Push Trhough Burrnout.

I keep pushing despite the exhaustion, sacrificing my well-being. In the end, I graduate, but the experience leaves me drained. Should I accept this outcome and move on, or should I admit that I'm overwhelmed?

Choice 1 : Choose to accept this outcome and move on.

Choice 2 : Choose to admit that I'm overwhelmed.

Breakdown.

My performance drops, and I consider taking a leave of absence. I question whether continuing is the right decision. Should I leave or switch programs, or should I search help to take back control of myself?

Choice 1 : Choose to leave or switch programs.

Choice 2 : Choose to search for help.

Strong Recovery.

With support, I rebuild my habits and regain motivation. I complete my degree and feel a sense of fulfillment. I move forward confidently.

Choice 1 : Choose to move forward confidently.

Ongoing Struggle.

Even with help, things remain difficult. I graduate, but without confidence or clear direction. That will face me an uncertain future.

Choice 1 : Choose to face uncertain future.

Project Success.

My project impresses employers, and it helps me to secure an interview. It becomes my mains source of income soon after my graduation.I got a job opportunity. Should I accept the job opportunity, or should I stay independent on my project?

Choice 1 : Choose to accept the job opportunity.

Choice 2 : Choose to continue my project on my own.

Project Failure.

My project didn't success, but I still learned from the processes. Unfortunately, it's not enough to stand out. I continue toward an uncertain future.

Choice 1 : Choose to face uncertain future.

Quiet Graduation.

I graduate without major achievement. Employers seem hesitant, sometimes influenced by bias toward candidates with experience. I face the difficult job market.

Choice 1 : Choose to face the difficult job market.

Exhausted Graduation.

I finish my degree, but the journey has taken a toll on my health. I decide to rest before thinking about the future. Do you want to try a different path?

Choice 1 : Choose to try a different path.

Drop or Switch.

I step away from the program after too much stress. It's a difficult choice, but it opens new possibilities, and it wasn't meant for me. Do you want to restart your journey?

Choice 1 : Choose to restart your journey.

Strong Graduation.

I graduate with solid results and confidence. I am ready to begin my career path. Do you want to make different choice?

Choice 1 : Choose to make different choice.

Uncertain Future.

I struggle to find opportunities and feel stuck. The transition to the work is harder than expected. I might have a burnout. Do you want to make a different choice?

Choice 1 : Choose to make a different choice.

Job Opportunity.

My project helps me stand out and land a position in a great company. I successfully enter the industry. Do you want to see what could happen if you choose different path?

Choice 1 : Choose to see what could have happen differently.

Independent Project.

I continue my project on my own. It's starting to come to life overtime. I manage to have a pretty good wage with it, and I can live of my project easily. Do you want to see what could have happened if you chose different path?

Choice 1 : Choose to see what could have happen differently.

Taking Initiative.

I volunteer for extra tasks and occasionally work overtime to prove myself. My efforts quickly get noticed. I am known for being the best trainee. Should I ask a senior engineer for guidance, or should I try to handle everything myself?

Choice 1 : Choose to ask help to a senior engineer for guidance.

Choice 2 : Choose to handle everything myself.

Staying Passive.

I complete tasks but avoid standing out. Without strong involvement, my experience feels limited. Should I remain unnoticed, or should I try to improve late?

Choice 1 : Choose to remain unnoticed.

Choice 2 : Choose to improve late.

Mentorship.

A senior colleague provides guidance and support. Their help shapes my skills and professional attitude. I manage to get a job offer.

Choice 1 : Choose to get a job offer.

Over Responsibilities.

I take on too many responsibilities too quickly. The pressure begins to affect my performance. I am doing a burn out.

Choice 1 : Choose to do a burn out.

Unnoticed.

My internship ends quietly, without strong recognition. I realize, I may need to improve for future opportunities. I graduate with week experience.

Choice 1 : Choose to graduate with week experience.

Late Effort.

I push myself near the end of my internship. While helpful, it only partially improves my outcome. I achieve a decent result.

Choice 1 : Choose to achieve a decent result.

Job Offer.

My performance earns ma a job offer. I enter the workforce with confidence and experience. Do you want to explore another path?

Choice 1 : Choose to explore another path.

Internship Burnout.

My intense effort leads to exhaustion. Still, the experience teaches me valuable lessons. Do you want to try again differently?

Choice 1 : Choose to try again differently.

Weak Experience.

I graduate with experience but limited impact. Finding a strong position still takes time. Do you want to choose another path?

Choice 1 : Choose to do another path.

Decent Outcome.

I gain useful skills and a decent reference. It's a solid start to my career. Do you want to explore a better outcome?

Choice 1 : Choose to explore a better outcome.