[Alan Anderson]

I am very well supported.

I work for Delphi, the primary corporate sponsor of the team I mentor. The company provides the bulk of the team's funding, including travel and lodging for "official Delphi mentors" who travel with the team (I don't actually work for the same division that sponsors the team, but I do get counted as official). I get to charge my days attending FRC events with the team to the special account set up for that purpose, so I'm not required to take vacation for Thursdays and Fridays when the team competes.

My mentoring is recognized by my supervisor as an important part of what I do. I also perform my "real" job well enough that nobody gripes when I take some time at work to read and answer Chief Delphi posts.

(I do have to take vacation days if I choose to volunteer at FRC events that the team is not competing at. I'm doing that in Hawaii this year.)