How FIRST has affected you?

[SL8]

Wondering how FIRST affected you. I am a freshman, but I would like to see what others have to say.

[MiniNerd24]

There isn't enough space on this forum to explain how this organization has affected me. I will keep it short and to the point. I was first-off a pathetic nerd who could answer so many questions correctly that you could say I was feared by my classmates and so much so I was the last person they would talk to. Then one day in my Honors Biology class I started my FIRST upbringing when the teacher announced a demonstration by Winnovation in Rockford and from there-on I was a FIRST-er. Now if I have free time I have nothing to do, because all my time used to be taken up by FIRST and classes.

[lukevanoort]

Most obviously, I'm going to major in Mechanical Engineering (not a really big change though, without FIRST I would probably be doing either Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics). More subtly, FIRST has really helped me learn leadership skills and time-management. Oh, and FIRST helped me learn that soldering when sleepy is a bad idea.

[ComradeNikolai]

Quite simply, FIRST has taught me to mind my semicolons.

Plus, it taught me what I don't know (I finally learned what a wrench is, not kidding.)

[swaknight]

lets see, besides change my whole view on my professional life. not much. I went from wanting to study medicine to wanting to become a programmer in nothing flat. It gave me a life, and a passion. A reason to pass and to make friends. It gave me friends to have faith in. The list goes on and on, its limitless.

[Kiwi]

The obvious answer is probably true for all of us- FIRST has given me opportunities that I would never have otherwise had. Between music, drama, and languages there never will be any time in my schedule for shop classes. FIRST has been a hands-on learning experience in all sorts of useful things, from how to solder to the right way of building pneumatics to the vital skill of using power tools without killing oneself.
The most significant change in my life from FIRST has been my recognition this build season that computers aren't actually boring. (yeah... believe it or not, a mere six weeks ago I thought that code just sort of happened!)
If you join a team with an openminded attitude and the willingness to do whatever needs to be done, you'll learn more than you ever did in school-- and you'll only learn things that are interesting or useful!
Also, Team 847 PHRED is my sport. I dislike athletics because I find them totally arbitrary and not all that useful in the real world, but thanks to FIRST robotics I'm able to gain the experience of working on a team.
It's also a less militaristic way to meet interesting people. Nobody "normal" joins robotics, so it's a perfect place for the rest of us.

[Laaba 80]

I cant really explain how it affected me because I have been involved in FIRST since 2001 when I was in 4th grade. I am now a Sophomore, and honestly cant remember times before I was involved in FIRST.

Originally Posted by Kiwi

I dislike athletics because I find them totally arbitrary and not all that useful in the real world, but thanks to FIRST robotics I'm able to gain the experience of working on a team.

I am probably one of the biggest sports fans you will ever meet, but I do have a problem with them. Most major sports are almost completely based on physical size, a thing that a person really doesnt have much control over. If you were 5'4 and 150 lbs, you could never play many sports because you are too small. You could play football and have the best throwing arm ever, but you would be too short to see over the O line. One of my favorite things about FIRST is the game because you can build your robot almost however you want. I do really get into the matches. I am one of the only people I know who can sit and watch matches all day without getting bored.
Joey

[Arefin Bari]

This thread is probably mentioned one way or the other; every year. I believe I posted in one of them when I was a sophomore in high school. Now I am going into my 8th season with FIRST. It's been a long journey full of good and bad memories.

Pros: FIRST has directed me to a path that I enjoy working with. I am majoring on Mechanical Engineering at Florida Atlantic University and have had several internships/co ops with different companies. For example with Motorola (because of team 108) and EDF INC. contractor for Pratt & Whitney (because of the mentors from team 179). I have met some good hearted people who are willing to help you through your ups and downs. Most of all, I have met some inspiring mentors who have taught me more than what a book could have.

Cons: FIRST has become a drug for me. A drug that isn't easy to quit. I told my kids that 2007 build season would be my last season with the team and FIRST; but somehow they have managed to pull me back. More so, team 108 engineers, the teacher, the kids have managed to convince me to go back to the team as well. Everything is a business and no matter what, every business turns into politics at one point or the other. I have always tried to keep myself away from "politics," not realizing that I have to face it at some point of time.

Through FIRST, you will face a lot of real world "problems," whether it's business related or personal. It's a challenge that I face everyday and try to get through it. There are times when FIRST will make you smile and there are times when it will make you upset.

I have involved myself with several committees down here in South Florida as well as the regional committee. I am involved with FLL committees down here as well. I am also a full time mentor on 2 FRC teams. FIRST keeps me busy enough for me to not to worry about little things when I am not at work or school or with my family. As far as sleep goes, I have learned to deal with 2/3 hours of sleep during the week.

The effectiveness of FIRST in your life can be different for each individual; It all depends on how you let FIRST effect you as a son/daughter, brother/sister, husband/wife, student, employee and a human.

[FF_1610_EMT]

Being apart of FIRST has taught me alot of things and i've met alot of people through FIRST. I've been out of school for two years now and I still talking about being apart of a team and going to the competitions. If I wasn't deployed overseas to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom right now I would probably be at the NASA/VCU Regional cheering on my old team, Team 1610, or there as a mentor to another team that isn't that far from where my home station is.

[Martinez]

I actually waited a long while to post on this threat. FIRST carries with it a lot of mixed emotional and psychological baggage that honestly I don’t know how to respond. All I do know is it drives me to new levels of adventure, inspiration, motivation and encouragement.

A little history:
I’m a Military Brat, seven different schools before I graduated
I’ve was always that social outcast, maybe one or two friends at best.
I’m an Eagle Scout, driven to do my best at helping others.
My school never had a FIRST team.

How it’s affected me:
I went to Clarkson largely because Robotics sounded really cool.
Just months out the gate, 15 passenger van accident (2001), two people died.
We didn’t quit, and I couldn’t imagine quitting without dishonoring that memory.
Sophomore year I almost failed out of Engineering, lack of ability and passion.
We went to Nats, I was just floor board by the shear number of teams.
Pressed on with new hope, I would get two degrees: in Engineering & Physics
Graduated, went to Lockheed in Binghamton area, hired I’m sure cause of FIRST.
For two years, I’ve tried building a team at this site, still no luck.
Joined Chuck (2006) and I still look to them as an extended fam.

FIRST has been a lot of Joy, Pain and Sorrow. Really it was the first place I ever felt I belonged. I have no fear of being shy amongst the people, and just want to get to know everyone. The environment is just so… infectious. More that that though, I look to this organization as the next millennium BSA, the values and foundations, and work to be accomplished is incredibly… solid. One thing is for certain though: my mission in life will not feel complete until every school in America has the opportunity to be involved in this program.

Regardless of out come or personal sacrifice it’s an incredible moral responsibility that I take to heart and will do my damnness to succeed at what ever the final shape.

That’s what FIRST has done to me.



Now if only FIRST was more like the real world.
I'm incredably tired of the walking Dilbert commercial around here.

[MadeAtMidnight]

Originally Posted by MiniNerd24

Then one day in my Honors Biology class I started my FIRST upbringing when the teacher announced a demonstration by Winnovation in Rockford and from there-on I was a FIRST-er.

Thanks for letting us know that it made a difference. As a mom who has driven several places to demonstrate the robot (and I do it much less than our coordinator!), it's nice to know that maybe it really does count for something.

[dpc131]

I'll take the opposite and discuss how FIRST didn't affect me.

When I was in High School (in the 90's,) my school was not involved because FIRST was just starting and really wasn't in a lot of schools. Anyway, I went into engineering because I was good at math and science, and I liked my electronics class. Some justification for a career choice, huh! When I did get involved in FIRST (as an engineer) I see how much this mirrors what you will be doing as an engineer. Learning the process now, in High School, has so many benefits for college and your future. You are exposed to many engineering areas and can make up you mind on actual engineering experience and not on whether your good at physics or not. I'm glad the career I chose, but FIRST would have helped out so much back then when I was trying to decide what I wanted to do.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by MadeAtMidnight

Thanks for letting us know that it made a difference. As a mom who has driven several places to demonstrate the robot (and I do it much less than our coordinator!), it's nice to know that maybe it really does count for something.

If this means anything Carrie, I have been continually impressed by the leadership shown in the animation threads by BuddyB309. Because of the consistent quality of those posts, I made a point of trying meet members of Winnovation while at IRI last summer. It was a great opportunity to learn more about your team and how hard all of you work.

You never know how a team will impact - it is like a pebble in a pond, rippling out and touching everyone with inspiration. Amazing really.

[ebarker]

FIRST makes me tired and sleepy. Last year I lost a pound a week from kickoff to the CMP.

This year I'm still tired and sleepy and eat burgers and ice cream trying not to lose more weight.

I've never had so much fun being so tired and sleepy

[muffinxo]

!!! I just spent like 45 minutes writing a huge thing about how much Robotics has affected me.. and CD TIMED OUT!!! as if!!

so, starting again...

I'm 17 and in my 3rd year of highschool and have been on the Local Robotics team since my grade 9 year.

Prior to joining this team I was a sissy girl (yes, I'm admiting to being a priss when it comes to getting dirty) and I've spent a bulk of my time each year for three years with a group of about 25 tech savy boys. DO YOU HAVE IDEA HOW THAT CAN AFFECT A PERSON? Basically, it changed me completely. I have an all new respect for these people and, of course, love them to death.

I don't think any other program or organisation could have exposed me to such a completely respectable and admirable group. I have learnt so much from these people and have gained so much self confidence that it makes me smilee just thinking about it.

Lastly, I want to say that at the beginning of this season my mentors showed us a FIRST insipirational video about Robotics and it's entirety and I was crying... I've never been so happy to be apart of something so great. It brings tears to my eyes to see the level of success and achievement teams around the world are receiving through FIRST... and that doesn't mean just metals.. it refers to EVERYTHING this organisation has given us (many others have posted the specifics e.g. time management, teamwork etc.)

and tears of joy

Okay, so that was the emotional impact.. as for the physical...

I CAN WELD!! I can omg! weld!! I didn't weld anything on the current robot because I'm a wuss butttt I can totallly weelDD!! (Special thanks to our team captain Mitch for his graciousness and extreme patience <3)



Also, I've been apart of the Electronics team since the beginning and am completely and utterly capable of wiring the whole entire (complicated bundle of metal) err.. I mean ROBOT. And, I know like everyone on this forum can do it with their eyes closed.. but I'm so proud of it and so completely overjoyed that I, a bookworm, can wire and be partially responsible for a beautifully functioning robot

I want to thank everyone who has been a part of FIRST. There isn't one person out there who deserves anything less than the biggest most exstravigant applause known to man. We've done an amazing thing...

Lots of love, Lindsay Erin of 1535 The Knights of Alloy.