Engineering after FIRST

[BandChick]

I didn't think I was going to do anything engineering related. My mom always tried to push it because she's got a PhD in science, but I wasn't ever interested. In fact, before becoming a member of 1089, I was planning on being a liberal arts major (English) or a music major. Quite a shift, eh?

FIRST really put into perspective what being an engineer was all about, and I realized that I already had so many of the qualities that a good engineer possessed. Besides, all the stuff you learn, all the math and all the physics were things I was good at in high school.

I have NO interest in becoming a professional engineer, and yet that's still my Rutgers major. I know a lot of people look at me as though I have 3 heads when I say that, but I'm majoring in engineering because to me, it's fun. College is supposed to be the time you find out what you want to do and who you are. Well, I already know what I want to do, I decided to be a pediatrician when I was a lot younger. Now, I just want to have fun while I'm in school. Even if that means doing something completely related.

Do what makes you happy, do science, or don't. FIRST gives everyone something else, and just because maybe you didn't get the 'be an engineering major' bug, doesn't mean you haven't gained something else worthwhile. Besides, if we didn't have a few English majors the Chairman's essay would be a lot harder, wouldn't it?

[Wetzel]

Originally Posted by Pika1579

I just became involved with FIRST last year, and now I am fully obsessed. I never really thought about going into engineering until FIRST, so... I have been looking at liberal arts schools where I can major in um... studio art, which is really a different direction. I love the building of the robot and everything else, so maybe I'll find a way to tie engineering in as well.

Architect.

Wetzel

[aaronbr28040]

I'm an engineering major at NC State this year. I graduated from NC School of Science and Math last year (Team 900) and moved right down the road to Raleigh. FIRST had a big influence on my final choice of majors.
-Aaron

[Jeff Waegelin]

I'm currently a student in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan, largely because of my experience in FIRST. Before FIRST, I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do, but FIRST gave me a direction and a goal for the future. I wrote an entire essay on this for my application, because it's absolutely true. I don't think I would be here in engineering without FIRST.

[Redhead Jokes]

Last year's female captain - co-driver - worker at machine shop, is studying teaching at college.

A female from last year is at a college studying engineering, stagecraft and photography.

This year's captains want a liberal arts education before deciding what to do.

Past students are studying animation in college, own their own web company, a machinist.