Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

[aaronm_k]

Originally Posted by Jason Kixmiller

Another point to consider:

Taking a year off from being on a team can be a great decision. Although FIRST is a great program with many benefits for students and mentors alike, "burnout" can really make the season drag. I volunteered for a regional my freshman year of college and that was about it. The time away helped me establish what role I wanted to play in FIRST (and college) and allowed me to approach mentoring with a fresh perspective. The student-mentor transition is tough...the expectations are different as well as the responsibility levels. I would suggest taking some time off...odds are you will come back to FIRST with more enthusiasm than before and will be ready to take the next step.

I can see that burnout would be an issue for FIRSTers who have spent all of high school doing robotics. However, I'm a high school senior on a rookie team, and I feel like I'm just getting started with FIRST, so I can't really see myself taking a break next year. I'm not sure whether that's a good decision. Anyone else in a similar situation?