[Kelsey Draus]

^^ I agree with a lot of what Katie posted. Make sure you are in it for the right reasons.

The only reason I am an engineer now is because I joined a FIRST team. It put me right where I am now, graduated, working as an engineer. With that said, I mentor because it's really important for me to give back so that other kids can have the wonderful experience that I had.

I mentored pretty much all through college. My first year I helped with my old team, then I mentored for 3 years at college helping with a new team.

It can be a black hole of time. I did all mechanical stuff when I was in high school, I was one of those really dedicated-at the shop everyday- sort of kids. I knew that I wouldn't have all the time in the world in college to dedicate like I did before, so I chose to help with smaller projects.

This may be a good alternative: if you are ok with helping out with the little things! I took on smaller roles like- teaching kids how to make bumpers and marketing and award proofreading.

If you think you can control yourself from going overboard, ending up staying late at the shop everyday, and diving head first into full time mentoring, I encourage you to take a small role. Tell the team that your time is limited, and that you can't be around all the time but! that you would like to help out with A and B. Helping with bumpers, the playing field, or marketing are a few ideas.

Yes school does come first, focus on that, get good grades (I know you've heard it all before!) Try other clubs. Focus on getting yourself settled in. If you want to help with one little project with your local team, do it. Just remind yourself not to get carried away. Stick to whatever small project you agreed to take on. If you find yourself taking on more roles, step back, delegate, and distance yourself back into your role of helping with the smaller things.

Any knowledge you can teach and pass on is good, even small contributions help. It's like fundraising, even a $100 helps a team! If you can teach the students even a little, it helps them to grow and benefit from the program, so don't think you have to be the know-all-teach-all mentor.

-Just some food for thought. If you read this all the way to the end, cool. I hope you take some advice and think about what you are doing, why you are doing it, and how it will affect you.