Re: Does FIRST only make engineers?
 

From a mentoring perspective, I'm not much interested in robotics, but am interested in programs that promote teamwork and problem-solving and leadership skills as well as show opportunities available. So I am back helping for Year 10. It appears there is even a place for the non-engineering people like me. ;)

Be proud of what you are accomplishing, regardless of what the major is. Study hard, make connections like crazy, and try something you don't think you are interested in. College can be a great experience, regardless of the major.

Re: Does FIRST only make engineers?
 

I must say the majority of students go on to study engineering after being involved in FIRST. We have had a very eclectic mix of majors over the years. They include engineering, chemistry, biology, mathematics, computer science, finance, business, and graphic design.

I myself am a business major with a concentration in decision and system sciences, which is statistics and information systems on the business end.

Just my $0.02.

Cass

Re: Does FIRST only make engineers?
 

Try being in the same boat, but instead of industrial design you're going into film :rolleyes:

Do I want to be an engineer? Nope. I hated math in high school. But my time in FIRST has added a whole new view to the way I look at film. I love pirate swashbucklers from the 40's. Those real-sized ships? Someone made those on a soundstage. There was no filming on location. Someone built a pirate ship. Anyone see the new Batman trailer? Bam, Earthquake Machine.

I don't want to be an engineer. I don't want to build pirate ships or earthquake machines. But because of FIRST I realize that it's someone's job to design these things, and that it's pretty darn cool.

Re: Does FIRST only make engineers?
 

FIRST produced an architect right here (although some of that had been decided before I joined FIRST) Regardless, FIRST taught me invaluable lessons about teamwork, time management and the design process in general. I accredit my time in FIRST to my excelling past my peers almost every semester (and the reason I've never even come close to pulling an "all nighter") No matter what major you choose these principles you learn in FIRST will give you a step ahead of everyone else.

Re: Does FIRST only make engineers?
 

This thread makes me smile! :)

I'm a NEM, never was interested in the robot as a mentor on the team, still not interested in the robot even as a FIRST contractor employee.

My background was library science, a career I held for 25 years. But then the Internet became widely accessible and my library focus switched to providing online information. I've been working on websites for over 15 years. It's a technical field, so it's a STEM area, and I have great appreciation for it.

As Ed stated,
And for all of you who are post-high school and interested in non-technical topics, join NEMO! www.firstnemo.org.

Re: Does FIRST only make engineers?
 

a) we need more film. we keep trying to make film and here are a couple of samples:

www.mitfirst.org

Girl Scout Camp

We need MORE good film !!!!!!!!!!!

b) I'm an engineer and the robots don't interest me very much, it what it does to the students that interests me.

Re: Does FIRST only make engineers?
 

I know what you mean by that lol. i'm pursuing degrees in finance and economics, just about the farthest you can get from engineering. Last year when we made up a list of all the majors that people are going into i felt the same way, there was one bio major, but other than that it was all engineering or computer science majors.

surprisingly enough, and its weird to say, FIRST made me realize that i DIDN'T want to be an engineer. When i joined the team my freshman year i was considering becoming an engineer, a thought that stayed with me til the end of my junior year. By the time the end of my first marking period of senior year was done i was sure i was gonna be a finance/econ major, and that I really didnt like engineering.

So, no FIRST does not make just engineers, it allowed me to participate in the other parts of FIRST, the non-technical aspects and made me realize that I wanted to do something involving business in my career

Re: Does FIRST only make engineers?
 

Of our five graduating seniors last year, I was one of two to go into engineering. The remaining three went into liberal arts, German language, and architecture. Most of the graduates from previous years did major in engineering or computer science, but we do have some in other fields.

While participating on my team did sway me towards engineering (and I realize now that music, my previous choice, never would have been a good option for me), it made me realize that business and management isn't all too bad. I definitely know what I would look into if engineering doesn't work out so well for me.

Re: Does FIRST only make engineers?
 

I've known a bunch of art-minded FIRSTers go into Industrial Design, like I did. For some FIRST is a club, for others it's career tryouts. You'll get a mix of everyone all the time.

Re: Does FIRST only make engineers?
 

Honestly, I think this is one of the areas that FIRST does not need to improve in. They get it just right. They provide the program and by drawing in mentors from different professions and fields of interest and expertise, the program is ripe with possibilities and diverse opportunities. The possibilities and opportunities open doors to educational choices and career decisions. When those doors open, the futures of the generations impacted by the FIRST program(s) have a very solid and promising potential for becoming realities. The realities have a very solid and promising potential for strengthening and improving our world as we know it. No, FIRST does not only make engineers - it creates change.

Jane

Re: Does FIRST only make engineers?
 

I think that something unique to FIRST is the availability of engineers for students to talk to. I thought I wanted to be an engineer, after being in FIRST and talking to some of them I realized that engineering is not quite for me.

I instead went on to major in Television Production & Directing at an all art school, where my experience in FIRST helped me understand the business like nature of pitching, producing, and filming television shows.

FIRST shows students that they should get involved with something other than themselves. FIRST students go on to be actively involved in their schools and education though clubs, organizations, and student governments.

I do, however, think that FIRST is lacking in support for students that chose to go into a career path other than engineering. If you are a NEM please reach out to those students and put them in touch with people in the field they wish to go into. FIRST has graduated several successful non-engineers and it is important for students to see that that is an option for them in life.

Now that I am out of college I realize how much STEM education helped me, but when I was in school I was confused as to where it fit into my career choice. So if you have a student that wants to be in television, producing, film, or technical theater please feel free to give them my name for advice.