FIRST is about learning and passing on that knowledge you have learned to others. I have been with the Miracle Workerz (Team 365) since their beginning in 2000. I was a student for two years and an alumni for two years (including this year). As as student, I remember being amazed that there are people in the world that give up so much of their time to help me, an annoying high school student about what they do full time. I thought a job was something that you
had to do to get money so you could do things you
wanted to do. FIRST helped me see that there is not only a job, but a career out there that is for me. Something that I would
want to do because I enjoyed it. And that I would enjoy this career so much that I would be willing to help high school students follow in my footsteps.
Now that I am an alumni, I am beginning to see my dreams become a reality. The rookie students look up to me as a mentor, and the students that know me still think I'm that crazy high schooler. FIRST is something that I love doing. Not just taking time from engineers or teachers to advance myself, but also by giving my time and knowledge to the next generation of roboteers. I am now partially responsible for the way 34 students look at the world of science and engineering.
Of course the transition from student to alumni/mentor hasn't been exactly flawless, but a jump like that in such a tightly woven group is sure to have its rough spots. Some of the engineers still see me as being just another punk high school kid, only bringing up my mentor status when I have done something stupid (yeah.. we all do stupid things) and am supposed to be a role model for the students. But from that I have learned to take responsibility for my actions even if they aren't completely my fault. This year I have been entrusted with being the coach for our competition team. I guess they think that because I was driver in 2001 that I have some sort of super sense about the competition. That has yet to be seen, but it is looking good so far.
Being an alumni in FIRST is not a free ride. You have to prove to your mentors and the students that you have what it takes to be a good mentor. And you have to prove that you are responsible enough to be entrusted with major tasks concerning your team. After you have accomplished that, the rewards are unlimited. I still can't get over it when students look to me for answers. Students look to me to make a difference. It is the best feeling in the world, and I won't give it up for anything... unless I got to drive the robot again!
I apologize for the length, but I feel better now.
