To all students - Why do I do this ?

[AndyB]

Originally Posted by ebarker

Team 1311 is working on a long term project that tests ideas on how to engage academically qualified but as of yet uninterested students to participate in FIRST and consider careers in engineering and science.

We want to know what you think. We have several questions.

1. If you are going into engineering or science, did FIRST help you decide, or did you already decide to before starting FIRST.

2. Are you more interested in the technology, or are you most interested in the application?

3. To what degree are you interested in “making a difference” with an engineering career?

4. Prior to starting FIRST did you view engineering as something for “someone like me” ?

This is a non scientific sampling and we will treat the data accordingly.

1. FIRST was what made me go into engineering. I am currently in college majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

2. I'd probably say the application. I guess technology really isn't that impressive to me unless it can be applied somehow. For instance, with Dean Kamen's robotic arm, I wasn't that impressed with the amount of sensors and the degrees of movement, but rather, the application of it.

3. I don't know if I've really decided that in my life. At this point, I'm open to just about any job. I would have to say though, that I hope to stay involved with FIRST throughout college and into the workforce.

4. Not really, I started out in FIRST in my sophomore year as a webdesigner and then worked my way up to Autodesk Inventor. I was a computer guy, and since working with Inventor, I started to see how everything worked, and how everything got put together. Thats how I got interested in engineering.

[Nitroxextreme]

1. I had some idea that I wanted to go into engineering before FIRST, but it was FIRST and the experience it brings that solidified my decision.

2. I would have to say I am equally interested in technology and the application, because without one there could not possibly be the other.

3. I believe that making a difference with and engineering career is the best thing that could happen. It is my greatest hope that someday I will be behind that creation of something that revolutionizes the way everyday life is looked at.

4. Yes, If you find yourself taking apart electronics at a young age...definitely look into FIRST.

[ebarker]

Good start, keep bringing on the answers from everyone please, but especially from you young women.