Anonymous asked: What are your thoughts on high school students graduating, then immediately mentoring teams? Or even mentoring teams as a college student in general?
This is a question I get a lot in-person, so I’m definitely going to take some time to answer this.
More than anything, I believe than when you’re in college, you need to focus on school. If you’re not the kind of person that can appropriately balance their time (and know when to cut back), then don’t mentor. It’s okay not to mentor! You can volunteer at events and still stay involved in the community. And if you are a mentor, don’t take on a crazy amount of responsiblity. Even if you could handle it in high school, you need to put 99% of your effort into college/university, and then worry about working with teams. Help however you can, but don’t become the center of the team - because what happens if you have an exam and can’t make the meeting? The easiest way to think about this is, the team you’re working with should be able to benefit from your help, but survive without you.
If you do choose to mentor, this advice-column kind of takes two paths.
If you’re staying close to home and you still want to work with your old team: take AT LEAST one year off, if not more… This is for two reasons. One, because you should be focusing on a new experience at school (this goes for everyone). Two, because your old friends are going to be students on the team still. That puts you, and your friends, in a weird place. There needs to be a bit of a separation before you jump back into your team. (And, as I’ve said already - don’t let the team consume your life. The transition from student to mentor is a difficult one, with a lot more responsibility - don’t try to do everything at once.)
If you’re in a new place, or plan on working with a new team - like I’ve already said - don’t jump in and start 5 rookies, or throw yourself into a planning committee - baby steps, until you can figure out where your time balances.
School should ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS come first. Go to college/university, make some friends, do something that’s new to you, explore your interests… and STUDY. Your “job” is to be a student, so be the best one you can be.
If you end up being able to balance your time to help a team, that’s great! If not, then volunteer at events. If you can’t even manage that, that’s perfectly alright. FIRST will be here when you get back, I promise.
Or just do what I do and volunteer the crap out of the events!
Fantastic advice.
