[Amanda Morrison]

I was talking with Ken Leung about this a couple nights ago, so here's my thoughts.

I don't like building robots. That being said...

Once I got into FIRST, I realized that not only do I have no technical skills but also no desire to go into engineering, science, mathematics, technology, or teaching. On my first FIRST team, I didn't touch the robot save for tightening a screw (even that's iffy). That was my choice, though - at any moment I could have gotten involved, I just chose not to. I'm attending Ball State University, which has no offered engineering program, and my major is English (focus on Rhetoric and Composition, not teaching).

Even though since I've come to college I've helped start another team, it's kind of ridiculous for someone with this much against them to be in this program. As a mentor, a lot of times I come home feeling discouraged because I can't effectively mentor kids in engineering. Ask me to grade a paper or proofread the Chairman's Award, and I'm on it. Ask me for an adjustable Allen wrench (as my mischevious kids did), and I'm lost. Of course, though, the majority of kids that you have on your team are interested in engineering, programming, etc... and so at times you are a little lost.

I know there are other people out there (more students than mentors, though) who feel the same way I do. Although FIRST is a program for engineering and related fields, other areas of study sometimes get the shaft. That's okay, though. There's nothing that says because I am an English major that I can't start another FIRST team.

FIRST is an excellent program, and I'm still looking to start new teams to enthuse more kids. The fact of the matter comes down to this: No matter what you are interested in, you can always encourage others.