Team 254 Looking For Non-Technical Mentors

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Pat Fairbank

Requirements:

• Must be able to come to the lab 4+ days a week

That kind of time requirement is likely to keep a lot of otherwise interested people away.

Originally Posted by Pat Fairbank

Benefits:

• Mentor bacon

That needs more explanation.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

That kind of time requirement is likely to keep a lot of otherwise interested people away.

Personally, I believe it is a good thing to set standards like this for mentors. Often times I've come across mentors who aren't around as much as they should be, but then assume they have a certain amount of say or input in decisions. Just as with students, the ones who show up and put in the time should be rewarded with such privileges. Many times mentors who aren't always in the loop can make mistakes and poor decisions if they don't know all the facts.

[MrTechCenter]

If only I was going to San Jose State UC Merced is just a tad too far to drive 4 days a week.

[waialua359]

Grant writing is a tough one.
It usually requires someone who is in either a school or DOE. Someone who has a great deal of experience working in the STEM area, understands how to create/evaluate SMART goals, and has a passion for FIRST (Robotics) while integrating it in the respective school/community is the most important part in proving to foundations, why you need funds.

In my experiences, writing grants strictly for robotics wont get the big fish. It usually involves addressing the larger needs of the school/community, while being able to leverage funding support where it benefits Robotics.

Its ongoing, its relentless, and when everyone else is done with the season, you're just beginning to do your evaluation writeups. My deadlines are all due at the end of the fiscal year June 30th annually. And at the same time, youre busy trying to secure new funding support for the following year.

Good luck in getting the right person for you folks. 254 is definitely the right candidate to getting numerous funding support.