here's my advice... i'm really good at this kinda thing, but if you want to win your team over for cheering and stuff, you gotta be funny about it. i didn't know half of my former team going into annapolis, but they sure all knew me when we left. you have to make a statement that is... for lack of a better word... attractive and trendy, and you have to have a confident attitude about it. you have to be funny and make your self look stupid. when i walked into a meeting last year with the first bright green bandana, i got some really strange looks, but i approached it with the such an attitude that made them laugh and look where the bandanas are today, they were in high demand last year at Nat's. you have to be confident, don't let them get to you. maybe you look dumb, but you're having fun, and it's contageous.

There is a huge potential of what team alumni can do out there. From mentoring teams, to volunteering at comeptition, to help running organization of teams.

I did all three of them.

There are few things to consider:

1. When the alumni graduate from high school, they usually move onto college. Sure, it is tons of fun to keep doing FIRST, but there's also a huge amount of opportunity of meeting new people at the college, and participate in different kind of projects, etc.

2. When the alumni graudate from high school, it's the remaining students' turn to run the team, and get their experience in leadership and being the mature person in the team.

3. Alumni have the chance to pass on their knowledge to younger team members when they didn't have time during competition time.

4. Alumni can enjoy the competition much more compare to when they were in high school, because they have a few years of experience in them, and because they don't have to worry about getting into colleges.


All in all, I think alumni should do what they want. After all, we are just spending our time in something worthwhile that will help us learn and grow. Depending on your situation, and where you live, you may choose to help out your own team, or just stay back and volunteer at a regional, or just going to the competition as a spectator.

Here are my advices:

1. For those of you who want to go back to your own team. Let the students take the leadership role, and act as a mentor in giving advices and support to them. You might even consider acting like a teacher and give back what the team gave you when you were in high school. That way, you get all the fun, and none of the stress.

2. Also, try not to burn yourself out by doing too much at once, like building a robot 4am in the morning with a midterm waiting for you in 4 hours. When you strike the balance between FIRST and school, that's when you will get the most out of the experience. Mean while, try not to step away from school too much, because you might regret what you could've done while you are in school.

3. A really worthwhile experience for me is my time spend in Western Regional Robotics Forum. When you graduated high school, you are free to spend your time in FIRST as a non-team person. You energy might be more worthwhile spending in something that will help all teams instead of just one.

4. Depending the need of your regional, you may want to volunteer yourself to help run the regional competition. I know people like Nate Smith, Steve Shade, Christina and many others spend their time helping FIRST in running events. It could potentially give you some insights into why FIRST do things the way they do, and shows you things behind the scene.


My last advice is, the few years after you graduate high school is when you figure out the direction of your life. Make sure you don't waste any moment of it. The things you will be doing will shows you what you want or don't want to do, and you will meet some of the coolest people who will be your friends for life. Make use of this time, and FIRST, and any other things you passed by, and get the most out of it, and pay attention to the way you are learning and growing.

Have fun!

so am i !!!

From an adult alumnus
 

I am a seven year alumnus from Team 45, Technokats. I retired from Delphi and am now in Florida during the FIRST season, so being kind of addicted to FIRST as I am, I joined rookie Team 1062 in Celebration, FL. It has been a totally different experience from being with an established team like TechnoKats, but it has been fun. My new team is not going to the Big Event at Houston, so I have volunteered to be a referee, but I don't know if they want me yet. If not, I'll just hang out and take it easy.

Kit
Nice to see you back with FIRST.