Quote:
Originally Posted by hauki
I am a new engineering mentor (started in Sept) and would like some advice.
If the build team is totally getting off track what should be the mentors role? I've tried to influence them to get back on track with little success. I've worked in the high tech industry for 30 years and have seen many projects fail. I feel at this point the team is not going to get a robot built. Should I just let them fail and call it a learning experience? Is it my role to build the robot for them? I don't think this is correct.
Is a mentor part of the team? I was told by an angry\stressed student that mentors are not part of the team. My view is that we are all on the same team but have different roles to support. I think I am there to help\encourage\voice concerns if the project is slipping?
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First off: please don't let them fail. As difficult and non-achieveable as things may seem at the moment, as I always say: nothing is worth giving up over. FIRST is all about not quitting and pushing yourself to keep on going, no matter what the circumstances.
And you, sir, are most certainly part of the team. I don't know what I'd do without the mentors on my team. They're always helpful, there if I need a question answered, taught me how to use tools, and are extremely patient and kind. I'm sure the student who said such a (in my opinion) mean thing didn't truly mean what he/she was saying. They were just living in the moment, that's all. But yes, you're definitely part of the team. (A team isn't a team without someone to lead and guide them.)
You shouldn't build the robot for them, because, like others have said, it pretty much defeats the purpose of FIRST. However! You can always give them a push and ask them what's wrong or why they're so off track. There's nothing wrong with giving them guidance; that's one of the things a mentor does.
All in all, please, don't let it get to you. I'm sure your team is just stressed and upset. They want to compete just as much as you do, I'm sure, but they need a little push in the right direction. I know, you've tried it before. But in this case, you're Thomas Edison, and they're light bulbs. You've just got to keep trying and trying until you get results. If they want to throw away 6 weeks of time, money, etc. then that's their choice and you can't change that.
But don't give up if there's still something you can do. FIRST / FRC is a wonderful experience, and really, even though I've never met you or your team, I want you guys to go to your Regionals - and who knows? Maybe even Worlds! - and compete.