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  #76   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 21-08-2008, 13:32
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Re: Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

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Originally Posted by Joe Matt View Post
This deserves a bump, and frankly, I think no freshman in college should mentor a team at all. Do something different, try new things, get away from FIRST. There aren't many things I believe in, but this is one of them I do 100%.
Joe, we believe so strongly in this that we do not allow a graduate to become a mentor his first year after leaving the team. Even after that first year they are going to have to work hard to convince us to be a mentor.

Occasional visit, a little tutoring, volunteer to help for an event or fund raising are all OK. But be a mentor and all that entails is not allowed.
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Unread 22-08-2008, 14:20
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Re: Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

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Originally Posted by RaMoore View Post
So here is a question: What about college freshmen that have never heard of FIRST before; should they also be given the same advice?
Hands down yes, though it's more about DJ's post of work load and "welcome to college!" than my "grow as a person" montra. FIRST is foremost a high school organization (I'm talking FRC); when you are in college you should focus on more college level activies. DJ's right about the work load, and I'm adding on that working with college students and competing with college students in different competitions than FIRST is more rewarding in many more ways than just mentoring a FIRST team. For those already in the program, it's about taking time off to transition into a new life and purpose, and for those who are just hearing about FIRST, it's about the time committment and the activites.

And to shoot this down, yes FIRST does have college level activies in it, and I think mentoring is a worthwhile thing, but I would never recomend a freshman mentor a FIRST team over joining Mini Baja, cement cannoe, and other college level experiences. Be around people your own age and work with them late at night on campus, what not. Have a college experience.

Again, I'm not saying college mentors are wrong, they're bad, anti-social, or what not. You go away to college to be in college, not in high school. I've considered mentoring my junior year and decided not to because of this, I will have decades of mentoring ahead of me when I graduate and work on a more professional and adult level, plus my new found skills can be brought in, ones that I don't see myself (and thus, as a warning to others) getting through FIRST right in college.

Why am I passonate about this? Because I made the mistake too (just like DJ) and wanted to relive high school instead of embracing what's infront of me. FIRST is a program; not a life style, not a cult. I go to FIRST competitions because I enjoy competitions, and it was part of something I enjoyed in high school and I have many friends still in the organization. I guess FIRSTcast was my outlet for reliving, and that's why we didn't put any really out this past year, and I won't be involved with it this year (surprise Jeff!)

*jumps off soap box and realizes the irony of still posting on CD and the whole "embracing waht's infront of you" comment*
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Unread 22-08-2008, 15:56
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Re: Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

Mentoring in college I think we can all agree is a decision not to be taken lightly, and I agree that the very cautious advice primarily being giving in this thread is wise. Even if you can handle mentoring as a freshman(or even senior), taking a break will probably be in the long run just as rewarding.

Starting and running a team in college has been very difficult but very rewarding for me, and in hindsight I'm pretty glad it took me two years to get the support inline after I got to school. I hesitate to discuss my grades and I only mention this to establish the level of negative effect on my classes and give a data point to potential college mentors. While my grades could have been higher I graduated (BSEE) with several honors and was offered a full fellowship for graduate school. It can be done but you have to be really dedicated and willing to accept some compromises in your life, generally good advice for anything you really want to do anyway.

Every team, school, and student is different, but at Texas Tech University FIRST is run entirely by college students (and some professors) like mini baja, cement canoe, etc. only we actually get stuff done, accept freshmen, create a strong interdisciplinary team and offer course credit or scholarships to many mentors. We also offer the "full college experience"... We build way late into the night on campus, have a couch for sleeping, and have some pretty crazy "mentor only" parties.

We like freshmen to come and help out when they can, but typically no more that 10-15 hours/week during build. The time commitment and focus on classes is easier to enforce on a non-FIRST graduate which is why I asked the original question. We look at FIRST as a great college retention and recruiting tool. By keeping freshman involved with other upperclassmen and graduate students they can build a support structure during the sometimes rocky transition to college. We all can help each other with projects, and even have team study breaks during the build season.

I have done a number of industry co-ops and as part of my degree program survived 5 design labs plus several design classes and I'm still sure that what I've learned through running a FIRST program exceeds the vast majority of that, maybe even combined. A lot of awesome job opportunities and wonderful people have come into my life in college because of my (cult?) interest in the program. It's not for everyone, but it can really work for some people.

All this being said I agree it is very important at point you decide to become a mentor to be doing it for the right reasons and with the right priorities in your life, not to relive HS, but to be looking for that next level of experience while being committed to getting the grades you need.
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Unread 23-08-2008, 02:17
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Re: Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

Berkeley is on the semester system....

Whatever shall I do the last three weeks of winter break?
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Unread 16-09-2008, 20:38
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Re: Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

If your free and it's close, a great way to help FIRST is to volunteer for a FIRST regional.

While mentoring is a great way to help one team, perhaps you want to make a bigger impact with FIRST by starting a club in your college that could provide seminars to many teams.
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Unread 29-03-2009, 22:47
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Lightbulb Re: Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

As a Junior, I'm just starting to really worry about college, but I know one thing for sure: There is no way I am going to give up FIRST. One of the main criteria I have while looking for a school is if they have a connection to FIRST or not. I know that I'm going to have a rough time mentoring and having college, but it can't possibly be any worse than the 12 hours days I'm pulling now. I may have to not go through college with my current 3.9 GPA, but I'm positive the benefits to both myself and the team I'm mentoring will make up for it.

I can't think of going any period of time, yet alone the 4-8 years I'm going to be in college, without FIRST in my life. I'm probably not the only one with this attitude, and I think that is what is driving many of the current college mentors to put themselves through the trials and tribulations of basically having two full time jobs and not getting paid for either.
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Unread 29-03-2009, 23:02
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Re: Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

As a college sophomore, I bring an interesting perspective. Let me note, there isn't a FIRST team, period, within at least a couple of hours driving time, though there is some interest in having one. Yet, there are 3 FIRST alumni/mentor types at my college.

For the three of us, one is not very involved at this time, at least from what I can see. One mentors a team from here, as I did last year (though I had a longer distance...). As for myself, I confine myself to using CD as my primary means of getting my "FIRST fix", though I did volunteer at a regional over spring break.

FIRST should not be your primary criterion for choosing a college. FIRST is an added bonus. And as for whether or not it'll be worse than 12-hour days, it will be. Maybe not your freshman year, but your sophomore year, if you're an engineering student, is the worst. I'm taking 14 credits (that's 42 hours per week, roughly) and I'm having "fun" getting the work done. My previous years, I took more credits and had fewer problems getting work in. Trust me, it'll be bad.

Instead of FIRST, how about this: keep your ties to FIRST and volunteer during breaks while finding another competition in college. There are plenty of them; I know that my college has 12 competition teams in one group, with many more that aren't as recognized. More are being added.

So go ahead, find something new and different. Branch out a bit. Do College VEX, maybe. Keep your ties to FIRST strong, and when you graduate, come back with more knowledge and help a team.
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Unread 30-03-2009, 00:17
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Re: Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

For this one, I got to agree with Erich. You really got to consider the college as a whole. As for the involvement with FIRST, you can definitely stay involved regardless of where you go. Whether it is doing like Eric and keeping track on CD or doing what I do(find a team that happens to be nearby) you will have the choice of involvement. Besides, freshmen year is relatively easy if you are a good student and don't become obsessed with partying or anything of the sort. Also, I find it great to pop in on my old team everytime I get a break from school. It's nice to see the familiar faces.

I would definitely suggest a cut back on the level of involvement with FIRST for college. You will not have as much time to do everything you do now. Just checking up on a team once a week and offering a bit of help is a lot of fun and keeps your mind sharp. Being at all the team meetings and having a heavy hand in the design/work, will just lead to undo stress and lower grades. Remember, some candy is good...too much gives you a stomach ache. The same goes with work. I really do enjoy working. But too much just gives me a headache and leaves me exhausted.
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Unread 30-03-2009, 07:29
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Re: Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

Ben,
I have to agree with the with Eric & Jason. I know that First is a big part of your life right now and it seems hard to imagine anything without it being part of your daily activity. However, just like other outside interests, it is not the end all of our existence. A wise man once said, "get a job doing something you love and you will never work a day in your life". Plan on your career and college choice to achieve that goal and other things will fall into place on their own. If First is part of that, great. If it is not, there are worse things in life. We are here to prepare you for college and life, not to make you a life long Firster. You will make us proud no matter what path you choose.
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Unread 30-03-2009, 08:04
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Re: Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

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Originally Posted by miscall View Post
As a Junior, I'm just starting to really worry about college, but I know one thing for sure: There is no way I am going to give up FIRST.
I told myself the same thing back in fall of 2005. Now I am here and this will probably be my last season with a team for a while until I set my life straight. I am one of those college students who put FIRST before everything.

I hope my post helps you understand how you should make your decision about being involved in FIRST while in college. Throughout the years, I have skipped classes to be in the machine shop (of course I had to stay up nights to make up for school but it's not easy to do so). I have always talked to my professors about being involved in FIRST and they were supportive of it. I have also taken semesters off so I can make some money and be involved with FIRST.

Of course, you can be involved and go to school at the same time; but I would highly suggest to not to be involved 100%. If I could change back anything in the last 4 years; it would be to only work on events I have organized and volunteer at the events.
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Unread 03-04-2009, 03:32
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Re: Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

I will offer up something that I haven't really seen much of in this thread... that college FIRST programs, when well organized, can actually help you in many ways.

Purdue FIRST Programs has given me some of the best friends, memories, and study buddies I could ever ask for. I think the key is that it is well organized, with professor support and a structure that allows you to find the area you fit in best.

As a freshman in college you will be overwhelmed with choices, I know I was. I would encourage you to go beyond FIRST... I am in Purdue FIRST Programs but I am also a member of a sorority and a member of SWE. But if you can't imagine your life without FIRST you don't have to.

I will echo the comments above--choose a college. If it has a FIRST Program, great. If it doesn't, that's great too. There are so many ways to stay involved, from volunteering at an event over your spring break to being an active member of the CD community.

IF, however, you end up at one of the few colleges that have established FIRST programs, I highly recommend it. My friends from Purdue FIRST are friends I know I will have the rest of my life. Many of us are in Engineering, and we get together and work on homework. There are always older members of the organization who have taken a class you're in, and they can be a treasure trove of information for you.

You will have 20 hour days, you will have all nighters. It does get harder, especially if you pursue an engineering degree. Whatever you choose to do, get involved on campus. Join a club relating to your major so that you can make friends who care about academics. Join a club that doesn't relate to your major so that you can be well rounded. Whatever you do, LOVE it.
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Unread 03-04-2009, 03:34
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Re: Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

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Originally Posted by miscall View Post
As a Junior, I'm just starting to really worry about college, but I know one thing for sure: There is no way I am going to give up FIRST. One of the main criteria I have while looking for a school is if they have a connection to FIRST or not. I know that I'm going to have a rough time mentoring and having college, but it can't possibly be any worse than the 12 hours days I'm pulling now. I may have to not go through college with my current 3.9 GPA, but I'm positive the benefits to both myself and the team I'm mentoring will make up for it.

I can't think of going any period of time, yet alone the 4-8 years I'm going to be in college, without FIRST in my life. I'm probably not the only one with this attitude, and I think that is what is driving many of the current college mentors to put themselves through the trials and tribulations of basically having two full time jobs and not getting paid for either.
At least wait until kickoff day to get involved, ideally sit out your entire Freshman year.

You won't miss much, you can still volunteer at a regional, etc...

You really should get a grasp on what college is before you make a decision like this.

I'd try to explain better in a long post, but you'll see yourself and believe that more than anything we say.
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Unread 03-04-2009, 03:57
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Re: Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

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Originally Posted by laurenlacy View Post
You will have 20 hour days, you will have all nighters. It does get harder, especially if you pursue an engineering degree. Whatever you choose to do, get involved on campus. Join a club relating to your major so that you can make friends who care about academics. Join a club that doesn't relate to your major so that you can be well rounded. Whatever you do, LOVE it.
My experience is that 20 hour days and all nighters stem from too many curriculum. Honestly, it will be hard. But if you play your cards right, there is no need for this much work. That is of course, if you don't want to. I have friends that can't sleep before a test and pull long hours. However, I work 20 hours a week have about 15 credit hours and still manage to get about 7 hours of sleep and a 3.7 GPA.

PS: I am the first to admit that the number one thing missing on my resume is extracurriculars.
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Unread 03-04-2009, 04:35
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Re: Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

AMEN
yea im a graduating senior.. and the juniors and other advisors are asking whos gonna come back..

its pressuring to come back bc you wanna instill that enthusiasm you had into those underclassmen who are gonna take over the team.
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Unread 03-04-2009, 05:17
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Re: Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

Let me start off by saying I think it's really important to step back your freshman year. College is a completely new experience and don't count out everything it has to offer until you've given it a good hard look. You might find a particular group or club that takes your interest, other than FIRST

My Freshman year was one of the best years of my life, and I didn't work in a shop all build season. Didn't scour over the rules. Didn't check CD every five minutes. I did something different, and had a blast.

This sophomore year has been a completely different story. I got in contact with the local FIRST team and started going to their weekly meetings in the fall. It was a lot of fun just getting acquainted with a new team that had such a different student group than my old team had. After doing some (minimal) training and (trying) to get sponsors, the build season rolled around.

This is the only part I regret. I only missed one meeting. The whole 6 weeks. The team met 4 days a week, and I was there every time. Luckily my grades didn't drop, I managed to hold a 3.5, but a lot of the stuff I enjoyed freshman year seemed to drift away. Simply put, I was too involved, and while the robot might have been ever so slightly better because of it, I was not.

I was also a member of the regional planning committee for the Davis regional. If this sounds like the straw that breaks the camels back, it surprisingly was not. I had a great time tele-conferencing in once a month, and then helping the event run smoothly last week. I was the regionals media contact, and was interviewed by at least 10 different news outlets. It was a blast! The low time commitment up to the date of the regional was great for my schedule, and I was still able to play an important role for the event.

After this year's competition has ended, I have a new focus, a goal you could say. I only want to come in once a week during build season next year. My goal is to transfer I as much of my experience to these kids as possible in the next 9 months, so they'll be on autopilot during the build season, with the skills required to get the job done. Its gonna be tough, but in some ways I view these 9 months as my new build season, building up the next generation of engineers... [/cheesy]
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