[Swampdude]

Unfortunately I've seen quite a few kids come and go from our team this year. I think our retention rate is somewhere in the 50%. Now our makeup is probably 60% seniors. When the freshman came in they felt over compensated by some very capable and seasoned seniors. This is going to hurt next year. Yes it's partly my fault for not spending more time on the relationships. Our other mentors tried but the chemistry needs to happen more at the student level. Next year I think we'll be starting slow and new because of this. It's a lot of work to put a competitive robot together, and this can detract from inclusive focuses. When you have students who won't stand by and force there way into the activities. The hesitant ones are naturally left in the cold. From what I've seen, you can't have thin skin. You need to keep trying and pushing no matter what. You'll get in. It's as simple as that. Our personalities couldn't be more different on our team. But somehow it works. Those who've lasted never gave up - didn't care how they were received and made a way for themselves.
On another note: over the years I've worked in quite a few different engineering businesses. Some places I felt like a total alien. Others felt like a big family. Granted it's not fun to be an outsider. But work is work, and you'll have to adapt if you want to make a living. It's very important to stretch yourself and try to get along with folks you naturally don't. It's usually because they're not like you in some way or another. Your most important experiences in life will come from human interaction and the difficulties within. Don't avoid growing opportunities, they make life exciting.