Quote:
Originally Posted by Katie_UPS
I should've mentioned that I am not going to change who I am. That would be ridiculous and something I know I am not capable of. But its more of just wondering what the impact I have on my students is. Wouldn't someone want to know if they were having a negative influence/impact?
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Even though I am a guy, I think I can relate to the mysteries of one's influence on a team. In my case, its not so much gender but other things.
For my first 3 years of FRC I was on a HS sponsored team... Which meant that unfortunately a lot of the drama that occurred during the school day would cross over to the time on the team. During my HS years I was loved by a select few but hated by many. I also was popular for a short time, winning a slot on Homecoming court my sophomore year. This too was short lived, which turned into more enemies and bad relations. What a painful lesson to learn.
Robotics was the one thing I was great at, but even on the team I had many enemies (I could go on for a long rant on that). I know that my presence caused a few people not to join due to the hatred. One even quit after a year just because he couldn't stand being seen with a team I was on. I do know of one person who my presence helped feel more at home on the team, but most everybody else came from a different background and fit the mold of the usual rich student who was the child of a local engineer (My family wasn't rich and no close relatives have an engineering background). In fact, combined with the fact that I was the only freshman in 2008, my first year was rough socially, as I was only accepted by a couple Leading Juniors and the mentors. Despite a strong junior year and a Dean's list finalist, only half of the students really embraced me as a member by the time I moved away to another city and another team.
I have always wondered whether I hurt or helped the team's image. I may never know. What I do know is that the year after I joined many students from a background not unlike mine made the jump and joined. Whether I was part of that or just a spectator to a large change is mystery.
However, I don't regret what I did on the team. I try to focus on the good I did for the team in terms of my work and knowedge. Do what you do, and give it your best. You are who you are, make the best of it in whatever ways you can.