Breaks from FIRST

[pyroslev]

We all take a break from FIRST in some way or another. However, I'm wondering:

What's been the longest break you've seen, heard or taken yourself completely from FIRST and then returned?

Personally, I took three years off for school and having burned out. Another volunteer took a four year break.

So, what's your longest break and a short reason? And let's keep this one clean please.

[PayneTrain]

I usually am out of commission from our last event until the end of May because of exams and a need to recover my social life.

[pfreivald]

I unintentionally took a three year break from 2002-2005 because upon moving 3000 miles and taking a new job it took that long to raise enough money/awareness to found 1551.

[Mullen]

This my first year back after a 4 year hiatus. My first job out of college wasn't very flexible and I was typically overloaded with work during the build season. Although there were plenty of teams in the area, I just couldn't afford the time. I have a new job now and they are pretty supportive of my involvement.

[Josh Fox]

I volunteered at the Boilermaker regional this past year, but as of now I have no real plans to return to FIRST, at least in any way that requires a large commitment, until after I graduate.

I'm not really sure if you can call it a total break though. I have been following the game this year, I've been on CD a bit, I keep in touch with my old team, and I've also been helping out with EWCP if I ever have any useful input.

[seg9585]

My longest break was from April 2002 until January 2006. So that's 3 3/4 years.

Reason was -- I was a high school student on a team in 01-02, then my parents' jobs moved so my family moved, and I ended up at a new high school which didn't have an FRC team.
I didn't get involved in FRC again until as a mentor in college (2006), when I was in an Engineering Design class with a curriculum based around mentoring an FRC team. I continued mentoring during the rest of my time in college.

After graduating, I mentored an additional year (2009), but the team I mentored broke apart after their season ended. I attempted to get back into FIRST with another team in 2010 but things didn't work out. It wasn't until October 2011 I got involved in FRC once again with 2 rookie teams (this season).

[Billfred]

Nominally, I've been participating in FRC nonstop since 1293's inception in late 2003.

In practice, 2010 was a year where my head was out of the game for a number of reasons (both personal, professional, and FIRST). It worked for me--2011 was undeniably best-season-ever territory--but everyone has to find their own path.

[Schnabel]

I took about a year an a half break minus one off season. It was my freshman year in college. Based off of the advise in this thread (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47004) and the fact that I was just burnt out I decided to skip 2010. It literally was the best thing I could have ever done. Not only was I able to determine what and if any time I had available for FIRST, but I couldn't wait to get back in. I don't foresee any breaks in the near future unless I have too, it's just got me hooked again.

[davidthefat]

I'll probably take a 4 year break from FIRST during my undergrad years... Then mentor a team during grad school. Hopefully I can volunteer during undergrad.

[Karibou]

I'll probably take a 4 year break from FIRST during my undergrad years... Then mentor a team during grad school. Hopefully I can volunteer during undergrad.

I was able to volunteer this year during my spring break, which gave me my FIRST fix and something to look forward to for the entire semester leading up to it. It all depends on when your spring break is, how long it takes you to travel back to school, the latest you can get back to school, etc., but I 100% recommend it if it's possible for you!

[engunneer]

I took a break between 2001 and 2007, but my high school mentor Mr. Bastoni took the entire team #23 on a break from 2000 to 2011 (They played in 1999 and then not again until WPI this year.)

[PayneTrain]

I feel pretty comfortable tele-mentoring with non-build things my teammates will invariably have questions about in college, but all of my build time will probably get eaten by school. I'm ok with that; I'll still ask what is happening at the meetings, stop by over breaks, volunteer at my nearest competition, and visit my team at any of their competitions.

[Ed Law]

I once took 7 days off from FIRST completely to go on a cruise with my family. We didn't have access to the internet and I did not bring my laptop. That was wonderful but sadly I think that was 2 years ago.

[Koko Ed]

I think I took a whole month off once.

[Gary Dillard]

Could you explain this concept of a break from FIRST? Did my wife put you up to this?

[galewind]

I try to take a break from first on most nights. For about 5 hours. That is, if I don't have nightmares about it. ;)

[David Brinza]

Sometimes my day-job gets in the way of what's really important. Then I'm forced to take a break from FIRST. :o

[Andrew Schreiber]

I went 6 months without attending a meeting for a FIRST team once... it was while I was moving, finishing my undergrad, and starting a new job.

[Mark McLeod]

I took a break from FIRST for 45 years. No more...

[JaneYoung]

I've quit the team and FIRST twice in the past 10 years. The first time was in 2006 and the second time was, I forget.

As you can see, the quit didn't stick. Recently, I've considered cutting way back or quitting - again. I'm not sure how that will go although my intentions are sincere.

The first 2 times, it boiled down to the lack of communications in our team structure and the lack of transparency in FIRST. After a while, one does finally realize that it hurts to keep beating your head against the wall.

I'm thinking about it again because of different reasons. If I change anything, I will stay with my amazing and incredible team and ignore participating in the bigger picture. I'm all about growing the bigger picture as I have understood it over the last few years. I'm not interested in the politics or embracing the culture that I thought we were trying to change. The impact is subtle and it is also in your face. I'm not interested in that impact - I'm interested in the impact of seeing a student come into his or her own. I'm interested in seeing a student step up to the challenge and work through it. I'm interested in seeing what a difference our team makes in our region and how that difference is for the good. Beyond that, I've gotten burned out.

FIRST has a lot of work to do on a lot of levels. They hit their 20 year mark and I'm hoping the lessons learned from those 20 years will serve them well in the decisions they make for the next 20. I'll probably stick around to see how it goes but I will not be as active a participant.

Jane

[smurfgirl]

It depends what counts as a break. I've been sort of involved remotely-ish as a mentor for 1124 over the past few years, and I've also been a regional volunteer over the past few years as well. That means the off-seasons feel like a break to me. Recently, I've been feeling really re-energized to increase my involvement with FIRST again, and I probably will once I graduate in a few months.

[pyroslev]

Break between seasons and events where FIRST is in the off season doesn't count so much as a break as down time.

A break is where you could say you wash your hands of it. You might talk to someone, keep tabs on the changing games, etc. A lot of people seem to suffer that burn out I'm learning. You overdose on the pure adrenaline of it all. Some sort of conflict or politics arises. School/work take precedent. There is not a team or avenue of FIRST in your area.

And Jane, I agree with pretty much all you said. When I got back into this year, I set limits that I soon ignored and beat my head against enough walls. I did all this cause I see the team that I was working with. There is enough time and potential with this group I'm willing to risk a burn out with them.

I love FIRST and what it does for students and for people. From here on out, the only break I'll be taking is the off season break.

[StevenB]

I'll probably take a 4 year break from FIRST during my undergrad years... Then mentor a team during grad school. Hopefully I can volunteer during undergrad.

Ironically, I found that I had "plenty" of time in undergrad to work with a team for four years, but grad school has been a different story. I've had to step back and focus on school, but I've still watched a couple of webcasts and I'm really looking to volunteering at an event next week.