Advice for freshman girls

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by maltz1881

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..

I think we are going to be seeing more and more of this in the coming seasons. Rookie team members who bring a solid background of experience and know-how to FRC from FLL and other robotics programs. Your 'then team captain' showed wisdom beyond his years by turning the position over to your captain - and she has shown true grit and experience by stepping up and digging in. That is a wonderful and inspiring story.

[Karibou]

Hello, welcome to FIRST!

I'm not the only girl on my team - I never have been, and never will be - but there are definitely times when I'm the only female in the shop or the room. As others have said, just jump in headfirst, and show the guys that you're serious about learning programming. Keep asking questions, keep showing up, and keep learning, and eventually they'll see that you're not going away any time soon, and they'll have a lot more respect for you. Respect is a hard thing for a girl to get from guys. Even as a team captain, a lot of the freshmen still don't seem to be able to wrap their minds around the idea that I have authority over them, but the veterans get the idea. Once you've proven yourself once, you don't need to do it again. Oh - don't use the "I'm a girl, so I can't/won't do this" excuse. If you really need an excuse for something, it's because you're a rookie, not a girl.

Don't let the guys brush you off. You have as much of a right to programming as they do.

TBA is blocked at school (which is where I am right now), but 280 probably going to Detroit (at least) like last year. They picked 1189 last year for the quarterfinals, and their pit was right across from ours. Everyone seemed super pumped and excited and welcoming, so (to me) you shouldn't have any problems. Also, if you are at Detroit, please stop by our pit and say hello!

If you've got questions or need help, feel free to PM/email/IM me.

[HaleyMortensen]

Originally Posted by John_1102

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??

we decided to use labview

[jennifer_1547]

I'm in my third year of robotics and I have to say it is a life changing experience and there is nothing that can describe being in this competiton. Being a girl in this competition is pretty cool since there are less girls than boys. But it just shows, girls can do anything
I joined robotics with a bit of hesitation, but now that I'm in it, I wouldn't trade my experience for anything!

[Tony.Wu]

Just pull up a list of syntax and just start practising programming!!

[hschase]

As the mentor for the programmers on Team 342, a long time FIRSTer (I have pictures when I was 11 standing next to a robot in 95'), its not about whether you are new or not, girl or guy, as long as you want to be there and are energetic about it! I would take A freshman girl who wanted to be there and wrote terrible code over someone who could write great code but didn't have the passion, gracious professionalism, or team spirit. You have to remember in the end the success in FIRST is not about winning or losing a round, it is about the friendship, skills, networks, and lifelong relationship you build with FIRST, and Science and Technology. Everything else really is a bonus.

[purduephotog]

From a mentoring perspective, I would ask your team leader if they know of or can locate any female programmers to help mentor you as well. Most companies have a "Women's Network"- if not SWE (http://www.swe.org/) would probably accept an email and help find someone for you.

[Trying to Help]

Welcome to FIRST!

As a mentor, I can urge you to do both the familiar and the unfamiliar. It's nice to do something that you're already good at doing, but it's really important to step beyond your comfort zone. I've done it each year as a mentor. The confidence that you will gain from mastering something new will stand you in good stead.

I'm happy to give this advice to any of our team members, both male and female. I attended the FIRST workshops before Kickoff and one experienced mentor from Rosie Robotics mentioned that we give students a safe place to fail. It's true. We also give you a safe place to succeed. So take some chances and just start learning and doing.

Trying to Help

[HaleyMortensen]

I'm sorry for the way my team member and I have been acting.

[M80]

i Alexander vick am very sorry for the way i have been acting on this thread it was not my place to crack jokes at haleys expense i am sorry for the the reflection it has put on chief delphi team tnt 280 and mr. Hoarth

[Mr. Cameron]

To TtH and other readers of this thread,

Yes, having a safe place to fail (try something new and learn what you do and don't want to do in college [before your parents spend the equivalent of a new house] and life) AND to succeed is what we're all about.

Both my son and daughter who went through 4 years of Rosie Robotics (both of whom were elected as student CEO) were immersed in this philosophy, and are now successfully proceeding through college (as MSME and MA Psychology candidates, respectively).

It's not what you look like, it's what you do and how you do it that counts!!

[Mr_I]

As the mentor of a (thankfully) gender mixed team, allow me to offer the same advice I give all my students: Pick something you like to do and make it your own! There are so many places in FIRST where a talented person can excel, just find your comfort zone and be your best.

Of course, the following suggestions come from three (female) members of my team who happened to be in my classroom just now:
- Wait a year, then you'll be a sophomore and it will be all better!
- Beat up the guys and keep them in line.
- Don't worry, just show them up and make them cry.
- Feel free to make the robot pretty.

[JaneYoung]

The good news is that your coach spoke with them about it. Talk with your coach about it. There are ways to involve the whole team in bringing about attitude changes and behaviors through some team building exercises. It is helpful to involve them in the change process rather than just tell them they have to change.

The important thing is to keep showing up, prepared and ready to work. You are making a difference in yourself and in your team. Part of being prepared is dealing with the frustration and the struggle with maturity, self-respect, and humor.
Jane

[Zack247]

Make sure Joey Horth loves you.-
Zack Medow, 247.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

The good news is that your coach spoke with them about it. Talk with your coach about it. There are ways to involve the whole team in bringing about attitude changes and behaviors through some team building exercises. It is helpful to involve them in the change process rather than just tell them they have to change.

The important thing is to keep showing up, prepared and ready to work. You are making a difference in yourself and in your team. Part of being prepared is dealing with the frustration and the struggle with maturity, self-respect, and humor.
Jane

This quote was in response to a post that has been deleted. I am a little concerned and would like to share a few thoughts.

Whether we like it or not, some of the opportunities to develop and become a part of a robotics team can be impacted by attitude, behavior, cliques, and carelessness in ways that are less than positive and supportive. A robotics team is like a wheel that makes a rotation. The rotation occurs yearly as veteran teams move up to the next grade level and freshmen enter the team. It never stops but is a continual cycle of incoming and outgoing students on the team. To make this cycle a healthy and robust one, teams have to identify areas that will fortify the process of welcoming new members and helping them become productive and happy as they grow into veteran team members - while at the same time, the seniors prepare to move on.

For teams who have no girls or a very small minority of girls, there are some potential barriers that can block the willingness to make inroads into changing the dynamics of the team, improving its diversity. When there are only one or two girls on a team, everyone has to make a commitment to help make their time on the team productive in positive ways. It isn't something that can be taken for granted or ignored. If team members are made to feel like they don't fit in or belong, they will feel that way. If team members are made to feel like they have no skills worth developing or exploring, few will try. If team members are made to feel useless and invisible, they will feel useless and invisible. On the flip side of the coin - if team members are made to feel welcome, they will feel welcome. If they are encouraged to pick up a tool, help in the design process, learn why programming is so important, participate in a demonstration - they will feel a sense of accomplishment and their experience will become valuable. They will like that they are a part of something that is making a difference in their lives and in the community that they are a part of.

Everyone is a freshman at some point in the process. Newness begins again at some point in the process. A senior who graduates high school and becomes a freshman in college. A college graduate begins a new life stepping into the world of careers and opportunities. A cycle continues. In a team, the beauty of the cycle and how well that it is managed and cared for, is what helps the team be self-sustaining and strong, creating further opportunities for everyone involved.

Welcome your freshmen and help them grow. Freshmen, show up prepared to learn and to become a part of the team. Don't quit or give in, stay the course. Someday you will be a veteran team member and it will be your turn to welcome the freshmen.

Jane