Dean Kamen, Manual Laborers, and You

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Jack Jones

I don't know about the rest of you, but I do this to give kids an opportunity that I never had. I do not do it because I want to be a hero or role model; and I do not do it in order to produce the next generation of elitist jerks!

"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders."

Dean Kamen, Founder

To me that reads as though engineers like yourself should be role models and people we look up to. I always looked up to the engineers when I was a student, heck, I still do. I've always felt that was what FIRST was about, connecting students with mentors who can serve to inspire and guide them along a path they might not otherwise have known. To do that you have to be a role model not just some bum off the street. You have to show the students that what you do is every bit as awesome as what their favorite athlete does.