A survey for FIRST Robotics Students

[Arefin Bari]

1. How has Robotics prepared you for life after high school?

- Robotics has given me a life. When I was a freshman, I had no clue what I wanted to do. But FIRST has give me that answer that I have been asking for the whole life.

2. Is there one specific technical skill you learned in robotics you think you will use in life later on?

- I learned a lot of mechanical aspects of engineering. Starting from designing/manufacturing a gearbox, to a whole robot. Thanks to Andy Baker and John V Neun for sticking with me and making me learn these.

3. What are some workplace skills you learned while being on a robotics team?

- My team was sponsored by Motorola. It's very cool to watch how engineers work in a team, divide the jobs up. Basically their discipline.

4. Given the Following list, list each skill by order of importance.
Planning,Compromise,Being open to the ideas of others, Delegation, and Commitment

- Everybody has some kind of talent to offer to the team. First comes planning, where you plan out your whole season, what makes you a perfect team. A lot of compromise, for me it was sleep, and a lot of times away from family/friends. Since my freshman year, I lost my sleep in the January-June frame. Every idea is an idea, let one express themselves, work with it, use the best idea. My commitment to the team was 100% I should say. I never missed a meeting, even I was there nights after nights working on the robot. I love SigmaC@t.

5. What was the most difficult part of being on a robotics team?

- To learn how to work with a team. But now I think, the outcome of working in a team is a lot better.

6. What was the most important part of being on a robotics team to you?

- My commitment to the team to be there on time and work on the robot, as well as in any other field (electrical, marketting, chairmans) the team would need me. Also I can't forget about the friends, I have gained a lot of friends in FIRST.

7. Do you think it is important that there be Robotics teams in the future? Why or Why not?

- It is very important, because a team shows you what you have to deal with in real life and what you would deal with in future.

8. Besides financial aid what effects do sponsors have on robotics teams?

- The sponsors also provided engineers who helped us solving many problems.

9. What makes a good mentor?

- Personally, I think a good mentor is who stands back and watch the students work. Only steps up when we need help.