[Eugenia Gabrielov]

I am not going to be an Engineer when I grow up.
I am going to be a doctor.

I don't know very much about fabrication of parts, manufacture, etc.
I am always happy to discuss design.

I did not do Public Relations my first year because I was a girl.
I did Public Relations because I write well and I organize well.

I agree with Elise. There is no appropriate ratio, there is no set mark. Because of my team, I will be an Engineering major. That change in interest from some random science to Engineering major happened over the course of my Junior year. I never consciously said "I want to switch." I realized it gradually, as I met people from other teams and worked with them. I realized it as I met Engineers, I realized it as I understood the message of this program.

FIRST does not mean "For Inspiration and Recognition of Working in the Machine Shop." It means, "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology." One half of that statement is science, and I love science. 3/7 of my classes this semester are hardcore science.

I leave you with one message:
Do not try to put me behind a drill press because I am a girl and unadvantaged.
Do not assume that I am planning to pursue a career in humanities just because I have fun with PR and the activities that come with it.

Teach me to be an Engineer. I am ambitious, I am willing, but I am interested in the S in FIRST, not as much in the T. That's personal preference. We're different. That's fine. We can still work together.

- Genia