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Unread 06-09-2012, 06:38
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protoserge protoserge is offline
CAD, machining, circuits, fun!
AKA: Some call me... Tim?
FRC #0365 (MOE) & former 836 Mentor)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Wilmington, DE
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Re: In Search of A Mentor

Quote:
Originally Posted by Darbus View Post
We hadn't thought to reach out to our sponsors on this, as they're primarily non-engineering companies.
Part of what makes FIRST amazing is that not everyone is an engineer. We (in the larger sense of the world) need engineers, but we also need machinists, teachers, graphic designers, journalists, videographers, business professionals, etc.

It's definitely challenging to gain team members outside of engineering; however, advertising that "[FIRST is] not just about the robots", is key. This is certainly a challenge that my team faces year-after-year.

While having an engineer is important to overall design strengths, it is not the thing that makes a team successful. If you look at many of the successful teams, they are run like a business: there is a robot-focused part of the team, a media and public outreach aspect, and a business and financial aspect.

Using these focused areas effectively will bring great things. Also, don't underestimate the power of word-of-mouth. Generate excitement with the students, make media releases and general advertising flyers, even if they are not as polished. Keep putting the word out and good things will happen.
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