[protoserge]

If you are in school, you should not be an FTA. I guess the case could be made if you are a working professional and in graduate school since you likely be more reliable. Ultimately, you are recommended or asked to be an FTA. It is not a one-time commitment and you will be expected to serve for years.

The position entails more than computer networking and technical skills. You are the face of FIRST HQ for all things technical at the event. You will be required to assist in event management issues, tough calls, and are constantly part of the customer service of the event. The event is a show and your customers are dozens of teams, hundreds of mentors, and thousands of students. You are responsible for making tough calls on and off the field. You will often have to play an advocate in tough conversations that happen behind the scenes.

If you want to become an FTA, keep volunteering and seek more challenging roles out. It takes years of dedication to event volunteering to be considered. If you do a good job, you will be recognized and rewarded by asking to do more challenging roles.