[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Pavan Dave

Many mentors around my age and older, who were FIRST students and now are mentors are irritated and almost fed up with FIRST to the point where we're uninspired by FIRST now. Is the point to gain a new base but lose an old one? The point is to inspire but if the contrary, is it really worth it?

Part of that might be the natural order of things, in a way. There are some threads in CD that have discussed mentoring and participating in FIRST while attending college and/or becoming established in a career. Discussions about pros and cons and decisions and exploring new options. If people are uninspired and bring negative attitudes to the program, to teams as mentors, and to events as volunteers - how does that help the program and the goals of the program? Inspiration goes both ways, especially after one graduates from high school. For those who have been students in FLL, FTC, or FRC - the transition to mentoring or participating in FIRST as an adult may be smooth or it may be difficult. Some of the reason could be the expectations that the graduate brings to the transition. That reason can also be applied to the changes in FIRST as it continues to grow, expand, develop, and mature. Wasn't FIRST in Michigan a pilot program last year? Next year will be its second year as a district program. What was learned in the pilot program will be applied this next season just as in FIRST where each season has brought more experience and knowledge to the development of the program.

Perhaps this is an area that has not been developed or looked at closely. How do young adults make the transition? What can help young adults who want to stay involved, make the transition? Do they only want the glamorous 'rock star' status or do they want to work and apply the skills and knowledge that they gain while volunteering and/or mentoring while going to school or establishing themselves in new careers? Is this area of development being addressed and does it need to be? These are some questions that don't need to be answered in this thread but they can provide food for thought.

Jane