Advice for freshman girls

[HaleyMortensen]

I am a freshman and I have no idea whats going on. I am the only girl freshman and the only freshman learning programming. I was wondering if anyone had any advice for me?

[b787bydesign]

I am a senior and I what I have seen is that the people who succeed (boys and girls alike) are those that jump into a project and just start participating. Im sure 280 welcomes you - so just dont be shy in group discussions and if theres a problem that needs to be fixed, fix it (with permission of course). In the end, both you and your fantastic work will be recognized. BTW - Welcome to FIRST - It gets in your blood!

[iheartrobotics]

I started out as a girl with minimal experience as well DON'T be afraid to ask questions, remember that the people are there to help you. If there are older students on programming I'm sure they will tell you what you don't understand. One of the best ways to learn is to watch and pick up things as you go along Soon enough you will be teaching other people! Good luck

[The Megan 2207]

Don't think about being the only girl. Just do your best to learn all you can. Ask questions when you don't understand. Remember, all the programmers were new to programming at some point in time. Also, don't just watch the other people program. You have to take a hands-on role to learn much of anything (trust me). It won't be long before you're teaching newbies.

[Jon Stratis]

As a mentor for the only all-girls team in Minnesota, i can say... don't let the boys hold you back! Get in there and create something you can point to from the stands and say "I did that".

And if any of the guys try to brush you off, tell them to look at team 2177 (http://therobettes.com/Site/Welcome.html) - the highest seeded rookie in St. Louis in 2007 (leading their alliance in an upset in the quarters!), finalists in Minnesota in 2008 (one of the top 3 highest scoring robots!), and finalists again in Minnesota in 2009.

And as an FYI... the two freshman programmers on our team have ALREADY written the code for our kicker, and are working on the code for our hanging mechanism. Our returning members have been focusing on our drive train code and helping out the new members when they need it.

[delsaner]

I would recommend trying to assert yourself within the sub-team. Ask questions, learning techniques within whatever program you are learning. If you find that you can no longer handle it, then maybe programming is not for you. Check out the different sub-teams, and find a sub-teams that interests you. If you find yourself thinking "hey, that looks really interesting", spend the meeting with the mentor of the sub-team, and ask questions about it.

PM (private message) me if you have any questions about what each sub-team does. I would be glad to answer any question you have. That's what we do here on CD.

[RoseJ]

I am pretty much the only girl on team 1322, and I'm both one of our drivers AND team captain. Don't let what the guys may say hold you back. I'm a freshman too, and I have been in FIRST long enough to earn respect among the guys in the team - despite being both a girl and a freshman. I say not to let them hold you back at all - as long as you're being safe, there's no reason for you not to work as much as the others.

[Phoenix Spud]

When I started FRC 3 years ago, I was still in middle school and the only girl on the team. Despite that, I earned my team members respect by working hard and never giving up. By GSR I was the team's Safety Captain and worked on Pit Crew. So, the moral of the story is, work hard and never give up!!! (and that goes for everyone, not just young girls...)

[Willdabeast]

As a senior guy on our rookie team, I just have to say that most of the guys on the team are scared of you anyway. They don't know how to react around you because you are a female. Use this to your advantage. Make them do most of the work, and think of great ideas for your team. I've seen this with the two girls on our team. Don't be afraid, just go out and have fun!

[AHughes94]

I am one of 3 girls on my team and I am in my 2nd year of FIRST. Definately do your best to participate in anything you can. I did and it paid off. Now in my second most of the guys in my team are scared to death of me and I am either subteam lead or second on every subteam I am on which is 3 or 4.

[JohnFogarty]

from the wild and wacky Aiken Vet team 1102 M'aiken Magic welcome to FIRST!! I'm on here a lot and i am our teams Sophomore Head Programmer Any questions you might have i'd love to help. Just a question have you decided what programming language you want to use??

[JaneYoung]

One thing that you can do is keep a daily log or journal of your experience during the build season and then throughout competition season. Since you are part of the programming sub-team, show up. That means to be prepared to be mentored and to learn. (A lot of that happens by paying attention and listening.) As questions arise, jot them dot down and find out the answers. This could apply to all aspects of the team.

Also, make notes about the strengths that you recognize in your team and in yourself, and also the weaknesses, or areas that can be strengthened. When the season is over, use the journal as a tool to help develop your contributions towards building the team and the robot next season. The most important part of all, is to enjoy your rookie year on the team.

There are several threads in CD about why girls are involved in robotics and/or why they are not. Do some searches. If you want any help with finding those, let me know, I'll be glad to help.

Jane

[Willdabeast]

So, are you going to go to the Boilermaker regional?

[maltz1881]

One of the things that we tell the new MALES coming onto the team is that I had better not see them taking tools away from girls or telling them "you can't do that, here let a guy show you how it is done". Our team captain is a freshman girl who was part of FLL for several years and then came onto the team afterwards. Our then team captain realized she was head and shoulders above everybody. He turned over the position of captain to her to all of our amazement. She hasn't let anybody on the team down either. They all respect her and come to her for advice. Even though she is a freshmen, the new kids shadow her to learn how to use tools and how to figure things out. She is usually the 1st to arrive and the last to leave..

My advice to you is to ask appropriate questions, find out all the info you can on certain subjects that your team is having issues with. I agree with Jane, keep a journal and write in it as much as possible. Most guys are pretty level headed on FIRST teams when it comes to accepting females. Don't be afraid to try something new either. Best of luck!!

[HaleyMortensen]

Originally Posted by Willdabeast

So, are you going to go to the Boilermaker regional?

i dont think so