[elschumacher]

So, I've been the Business Head Captain for our team for the past 2 years, and what I've found is that FIRST thinks it does a better job about business kids than it does. Here's an example. Not for the first time, I was asked by judges what I wanted to do in college - IR and Business. It was extremely disheartening to me to see their polite nods and glazing expressions as they turned their attention entirely back to my co-presenter, a future engineer. I wasted a solid twenty seconds in a Chairman's presentation this year justifying my choice of major, and while it helped the presentation in the long run, I don't think I should have felt the need to justify my own future. Another example is the common question of "how many of your alums go into STEM fields?" Since I'm not a STEM-kid, I'm hurting the numbers - thus, because numbers matter, I'm damaging the awards pitch. It may not matter for much, but it's the attitude towards it mattering at all that bothers me.

Of course, I love FIRST, and being in the program has opened my eyes to how cool STEM is. I don't want to do engineering, but I'm in awe of everyone who has the aptitude and drive to do it all. My point is that it's a little frustrating when the program that means so much to me treats me as though I am less important than my build colleagues. FIRST is always going to be first-of-all about engineering, and I wouldn't want it any other way, but I would like to feel as though I'm not incorrect if I choose to pursue my non-STEM interests.

And to back up the student-run thing, our team is almost entirely student-run, mentor-advised. Our mentors are always there to help if we need it, but it's our responsibility to make most decisions regarding the team's well-being and future sustainability.