Mentor experience

[Michael Corsetto]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

The question I'm really interested in, however is "As a mentor, how much experience did you bring to the table that was directly applicable to FRC?" I am mostly asking to help spread the idea that prior specific experience is not necessary to mentor an FRC team, though I do expect a few answers to the contrary.

Although you haven't stated this explicitly, I believe you a referring to technical experience, as opposed to experience as a whole.

However, there are many soft skills (experience) I wish more mentors had. In 1678's mentor meetings, I emphasize that what students need, now more than ever before, is adults who just show up. Adults that will serve as role models both within and outside of FRC and FIRST.

The single best life event that has equipped me as an FRC mentor is my experience serving as director of a youth summer camp on houseboats on a lake for five summers. My capacity to mentor students increased exponentially during these times on the water, doing nothing related to my chosen career field (Mechanical Engineering). Granted, FRC experience and Career experience has really helped as well.

Recognizing the immense value in "soft skills" allows your mentor base to bring in contributors from all backgrounds, whether or not they have the "hard skills" that many expect to find on a robotics team.

-Mike

Edit: I missed that you listed only your technical mentors. I'll just take my soapbox and go to a different thread now...