I want to be an FTA

[ratdude747]

To echo what has been said by others:

I once said the same thing as the title (or something similar), and the reply I got from the several FTAs training me as scorekeeper, dare I say in unison, is "You don't want to be an FTA!" (or something similar). I've come to find it's not because they hate their role (well, not all the time that is), but because FTAs don't become FTAs because they seek power or influence. It's because they have the skills to work as one and because they are gluttons for punishment and/or have a strong drive to promote FIRST in such a way.

Not to mention that FTA training AFAIK is a week trip to Manchester (FIRST HQ) to see the field and the hardware. This isn't the usual sort of weekly webinars other roles have. In terms of technical knowledge of the field side of things (FMS, physical field construction, robot connectivity, etc.), they are the top experts second only to the people in FIRST engineering (who they get to call if they get stumped). As a result, last I was told (this was back in 2015) to be an FTA you have to have another FTA recommend you.

That said, from what I've seen from others, to be an FTA, having experience as a field assembly person/field reset/field supervisor (field construction knowhow), scorekeeper (FMS/event setup knowhow), and FTAA/CSA (Robot connectivity knowhow) is essential, and having at least a year (if not a few) in each is a good start. In addition, having good leadership skills and acting well under pressure goes a long way.

Finally, you need to be in an area where there is a need for FTAs (or insert whatever KV role you want), which truth be told is often times what will speed up or slow down the process the most. Example: when I became a scorekeeper Indiana was starting as a new District, and there was a need for a dedicated scorekeeper (and being a college student, I had the time to do that for all four district events that year). Normally scorekeepers don't get to do events solo starting out, but guess what? I did. Also, they often don't get to serve at Championship, but thanks to having four events under my belt I was allowed to. I'm not intending to brag, but point out that if there is a niche open, and you are able to fill it, you will go places fast. Find your niche, and excel at it.