What Do You Wish You Would Have Known Your Rookie Year?

[Karibou]

Oooo...let's see, what did I learn this past year...

Oh yeah, when machining, ALWAYS stay concentrated. If you're going to look away for a minute and watch someone/something else, turn the machine off.
Not doing so will more than likely result in scars, blood, and fingernails being ripped off (learned, unfortunately, from experience. I have a very lovely scar on my wrist from a drill press...it makes me look suicidal.)

If you want to be on mechanical (or electrical, or design, or marketing, or programming, etc), GO FOR IT! Don't let other people try to decide what you want to do. As a rookie--or even an experienced member--feel free to explore all of the aspects of the team. It doesn't matter if you don't know how to CAD, or how to use a lathe...if you want to learn, someone will always be willing to show you the ropes.

And...your mentors are your friends. If you're not sure of something, they probably know the answer to it, and if they don't, they will point you to someone who does. (I was scared to death of half of my mentors at the beginning of the season, and aren't anymore)

Just watch, as soon as I have to get off the computer, I'll think of half a dozen more.