To all students - Why do I do this ?

[Zyik]

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

I was interested in Science before going into FIRST, but not really engineering. Granted, FIRST got me young. Snapped me up in 7th grade through Lego League. After that I was sure I wanted to go into engineering, just kind of fuzzy on which of the many branches. FIRST eventually helped me figure that out to though. -Biomedical Engineering-

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

I find the technology fascinating. However, I really want to help people through the application. I want to make prosthetics, so the application is really important to me.

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

A high degree. I want to make peoples lives better. Let people know that if they lose a limb, there life isn't over.

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

No, not really. I was always good at science, but prior to FIRST I really hadn't thought about it. But then, as said before, I was introduced to FIRST at a young age, so I didn't really have much time to think about it.

[Maggie27]

1. I wasn't really into engineering before I went to FIRST my 9th grade year. My boyfriend was on the team for my school, and he brought me along. I had a BLAST! I've always been way into science and putting stuff together. I never really knew much about engineering until then, and now I'm enrolled in the Engineering class at my school. Last year I did CAD/D. I'm not certain of what I want to major in, but I'm 100% sure I want it to do with science and/or engineering.

2. I like both technology & application equally.

3. I'm at a high degree of changing lives. I want to make a difference, and have people know me for many good things.

4. No, not at all. I had a sense of what it was, but I didn't see myself as the person to do this. Now I'm thinking the total opposite.

[technoL]

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

I have always been pretty sure that I was going to do something science-related, but FIRST helped solidify exactly what I wanted to do in engineering. I was the type that was always good with math and science, but I had no clue where it would get me. Now I know.

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

Though the technology is an amazing aspect, I find it more interesting to see how creatively such great technologies can be applied. Technology has so much potential, which is driven by the possibilities of ground-breaking applications.

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

This was one of the reasons that I was attracted to engineering. I feel as if I will be able to do great things with broad range of knowledge accumulated through studying engineering. At the moment, I don't have a specific goal, but that won't drive me away from seeking to make a difference.

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

Definitely. For a while I didn't know too much about engineering, but it seemed like something that I could potentially excel in, which I am now reassured of.