I want to be an FTA

[JazzedUp]

Hi there,

This is my last year as a team member and I start to think about the day after, as I still want to be involved and to contribute to the FIRST community in a more extensive manner than just mentoring a team. I have vast experience and knowledge of computer networking and I'd love to volunteer as an FTA. I haven't found any info about it at CD nor at the FIRST website, and if anyone is familiar with the process for choosing\training new FTAs I'd be pleased to know more.

Thanks!

[Ginger Power]

The first step I would take is to contact your local Volunteer Coordinator. Let them know of your interest and they can tell you how to proceed.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by JazzedUp

Hi there,

This is my last year as a team member and I start to think about the day after, as I still want to be involved and to contribute to the FIRST community in a more extensive manner than just mentoring a team. I have vast experience and knowledge of computer networking and I'd love to volunteer as an FTA. I haven't found any info about it at CD nor at the FIRST website, and if anyone is familiar with the process for choosing\training new FTAs I'd be pleased to know more.

Thanks!

The info is out there. You just need to know where to look. I'll give you a nutshell and a link.

Phase 1: Make yourself known to the Volunteer Coordinators. Volunteer. Field Reset might be a good option, as would Field Setup or Field Teardown. You might be able to get away with FTAA (though I'd suggest going with one of the earlier ones and advising the Field Supervisor and FTA that you're looking to go to FTA eventually). This is something you can do this year.

Phase 2: FTAA, shadow FTAs, etc. Might take a couple of years. I can't find the FTA qualifications on the site (easily, at any rate), but FTAA is available, and so are a lot of others.

[Doug Frisk]

Originally Posted by EricH

The info is out there. You just need to know where to look. I'll give you a nutshell and a link.

Phase 1: Make yourself known to the Volunteer Coordinators. Volunteer. Field Reset might be a good option, as would Field Setup or Field Teardown. You might be able to get away with FTAA (though I'd suggest going with one of the earlier ones and advising the Field Supervisor and FTA that you're looking to go to FTA eventually). This is something you can do this year.

Phase 2: FTAA, shadow FTAs, etc. Might take a couple of years. I can't find the FTA qualifications on the site (easily, at any rate), but FTAA is available, and so are a lot of others.

You missed a step, at least in MN. Scorekeeper for a couple of years, then FTAA for a couple, then maybe, if you've impressed folks and you're reliable.

Do you really want to be an FTA though? There's a lot more to it than you see on the field. The FTA is the first one on site and the last one off site, every single day. Sure, you get to wear the giant target on your back and you get to tell teams "you need to turn on your robot for it to work" fifty times a day, but it's not all sunshine and roses. FTA is hard menial work with a lot more responsibility than most think.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Doug Frisk

You missed a step, at least in MN. Scorekeeper for a couple of years, then FTAA for a couple, then maybe, if you've impressed folks and you're reliable.

Do you really want to be an FTA though? There's a lot more to it than you see on the field. The FTA is the first one on site and the last one off site, every single day. Sure, you get to wear the giant target on your back and you get to tell teams "you need to turn on your robot for it to work" fifty times a day, but it's not all sunshine and roses. FTA is hard menial work with a lot more responsibility than most think.

The FTA is only the most important (and powerful) volunteer at an event.
Your knowledge and competence can make or break an event. No pressure.

[Jon Stratis]

The FTA is probably the role with the most responsibility at the regional - everything runs through them. After that it's the Head Ref and LRI... both of those positions are linked from the pages linked above, and both require multiple years of volunteer experience - you have to be an inspector for 2 years before you can be considered for LRI, and be a ref for 4 years before being considered for Head Ref. I imagine FTA is similar - expect to be volunteering for several years in related roles (on the field and at the score table to start, then FTAA).

All of that time and effort ensures that you know whats going on and how to handle all the wacky stuff that comes up. It gives you time to build mutual trust and respect with the other volunteers in the area. You need to be able to trust them to do their jobs without your constant oversight, and they need to be able to trust that you'll keep the field running and do everything they need to do their jobs.

None of the key volunteer positions are really about power. They're about respect, customer service, and working as a team to deliver a great experience to every team attending the event. If you think you can fill that role and are doing it for the right reasons, then the first step is to contact your VC and ask him/her how you should get started and where you should volunteer first.

[Mr V]

As others have mentioned the FTA position is not something you will walk into your first season. Find and contact the lead volunteer coordinator for your area or the event you could volunteer at. Start with another field position, be there for set up and tear down and learn the ropes. Then you can become a FTAA and once you've shown your abilities and dedication there, let people know that you are interested in the FTA position.

[Conor Ryan]

Every event is different! Talk to the FTAs at your local events and they will work with you. You really need to earn the role above everything else, although in regions with new events it's not always the case.

FTA candidates can be are recommended by current FTAs/VCs/RCs. District FTAs are a little different with local requirements. Communication skills, technical know how and being a known resource in the volunteer community are key. Working for AndyMark seems to be a popular way to become an FTA too. If you live in an area where there are many new events would help build your case out, part of your responsibility is working with off season events.

Age and track record are not mandatory, there are many FTAs over the years that have run events under the age of 20. But you need to have a known track record, posting from an anonymous CD account won't get you there. Local and veteran FTAs get the events that are local to them. Knowledge of the field assembly process is key, so are network troubleshooting skills.

Source: 4 year FTA, now retired.

[JimWright949]

I'm going to second Robot Inspector as a position you should volunteer for before FTAA. You want to volunteer as RI at an early Regional or District where the robots still have some issues to work out. Get a couple of inspections in with an experienced RI mentor, then ask to LRI to be assigned to the team who is having the most problems, preferably a rooky team.

Let the team to the work, however help them out by showing them the machine shop, pointing out the teams that will help them. Just walk them through their problems. If you get them up and running then work with the experienced RI mentor on the last team to finish. Seeing other robot teams problems in an environment where you really want to get the team on the field is a good introduction to the pressures. It's also a good place to get your customer service experience as well as introducing you to your area's mentors.

The next move, I think, is a CSA, unlike RI, where the bulk of the work is done before match 1, the CSA is busy the whole event long. The FTA/FTAA deals with the whole Field control system, they understand the robot control system, but rarely get into the nuts and bolts of the robot's control system during an event, that is why they have CSA's. So knowing what goes into the robot control system is very important.

-Jim

[bkahl]

Originally Posted by Doug Frisk

You missed a step, at least in MN. Scorekeeper for a couple of years, then FTAA for a couple, then maybe, if you've impressed folks and you're reliable.

You missed a step, at least in MN. Safety glasses table for anyone under 21, seeking a KV role.

[frcguy]

Originally Posted by bkahl

You missed a step, at least in MN. Safety glasses table for anyone under 21, seeking a KV role.

Shots fired

[EricH]

Originally Posted by frcguy

Shots fired

Hey, you mean we don't stick 'em on crowd control anymore in CA? [/]



I don't think we're quite as drastic out here, but you do need to put in your time. Do that, and you'll be remembered when the bigger jobs come up.

Paraphrased conversation from the second time I volunteered for ref (bearing in mind that I'd been field setup/teardown, spare parts, field reset, and inspector for this particular VC before, and inspected and reffed elsewhere that year):
VC: Are you sure about this? I can't say you've reffed before.
Me: I reffed a couple weeks ago, at [other event]. [Head Ref at this event] is aware, you can ask him. I heard the ref allotment was increasing, so I figured I'd better get in before the recruiting party arrived.
VC: OK.
[I ended up reffing the event.]

Paraphrased conversation a couple years later, same VC, same event:
VC: We're short on refs, do you mind if I put you as a ref?
Me: Sure, go ahead. But here's why I didn't volunteer, are you OK with that?
VC: Yep, we can work with that.


The point I think most of us are trying to make is that you need to put in the time before you can get the "spotlight" jobs. Put in that grunt work, and after a couple of years you'll be more able to work your way up to where you think you want to be, or you'll have learned that you don't want to be there. Word travels fast among VCs and KVs as to who is and isn't a good fit in a good job, and what their current record is.


OP: As you're evidently still in high school, roles are somewhat more limited. There's a certain amount of maturity needed for many roles; however, I think Field Reset would be a good start. That's a role that will keep you on your toes. Screwups won't be as obvious, but you still need to minimize them--the field staff will kind of know who isn't closing the gates fast enough... And, it's a role that constantly needs people. You'll also have a chance to see what the FTA goes through and if it's actually going to be a good fit.


Jim, I'm not quite sure I'd go the CSA route. The CSAs tend to be long-tenured FIRSTers, or very deep into the control system (say, multiple beta tests), at least out here. (I want to say that if you grab 5 CSAs out here, you're likely to get between 50 years and 100 years of FIRST experience.) It wouldn't hurt to explore that route, but if anything it's even tougher than the FTA's role. If the FTA's stuck, the nearest CSAs are the first people he's looking for if a robot is involved!

[afera]

The very first thing you need to keep in mind for becoming an FTA is that it takes up A LOT of time. Most volunteers only show up after the field is built and leave when the "Event" is over. The time requirement for us is being at the event from setup which for us is Wednesday Night (FIRST in Michigan Districts) until Saturday when the field is packed. On top of that we are asked to work as many events so we can make sure all of the events are covered. And there is a lot more than just the technical skills, a lot of our job is dealing with people (explaining problems, talking to upset people, ect.). Lastly there is a lot of responsibility such as making sure the event is running on time, teams are connecting on to the field, the field is setup and running properly, etc.

A lot of our Training comes from our years of experience as FTAAs and CSAs before becoming an FTA. You WILL learn a lot in those roles! FTAs also have training in late January at FIRST HQ where we learn about Field Management System, Control Systems, Field Mechanical/Setup/Packing, Robot Diagnostics/Troubleshooting, etc. Most of our training is available to FTAAs, CSAs, FMs, etc via Schoology.

With that in mind your first step will be to contact your local VC or FTA and tell them of your interest. You will probably be put in as a ScoreKeeper, FTAA or CSA to begin, my personal route was ScoreKeeper to FTAA to CSA to FTA.

After working a few seasons as those different roles, and doing a good job at it, you will then be selected for the position. The selection is between FIRST HQ, Local VC/EC/RC and Local or Assigned FTA(s). I was doing several different (technical) jobs for about 5 seasons before I was selected.

Again every region is a little different make sure you talk to your local VCs/RCs/ECs and FTAs and tell them of your interest, sign up for a technical role and impress.

Good Luck!

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by bkahl

You missed a step, at least in MN. Safety glasses table for anyone under 21, seeking a KV role.

100% false. I've worked with quite a few college aged students in other roles to train them towards becoming a key volunteer here in MN. Just ask the Bison Robotics group... They brought over 30 volunteers last year and filled in nearly every area of the event. I've heard they've already had even more register for this year's event.

MN also runs an annual volunteer training event that sees massive numbers of college aged students show up to be trained in all sorts of roles. Trust me, we don't do training at an off season event for safety glasses.

I really wish people would stop repeating this, it really just serves to misinformation people on what things are like in MN, and discourages much needed potential volunteers all around FIRST.

Every person in the picture below was a college student volunteer in MN in 2016.

[Ginger Power]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

Every person in the picture below was a college student volunteer in MN in 2016.

Can confirm, this is Bison Robotics' group picture at the DECC last year. I'm the tall ginger in the back

We had 30 volunteers last year and if I do my job well enough, we'll have over 50 this year. 10-20 are already in key volunteer positions ranging from CSA and Robot Inspector to lead Queuer. I don't believe we have anybody looking to become an FTA at this moment, although I promise we have some people who would do very well in that role down the line.

I believe there is a student at the University of Minnesota who is training to be an FTA. He's currently in the role of FTAA and I think he'll do a great job in the future.