PRESS ROOM & NEWS

National Campaign Spotlights Exciting Technology Careers and Reinforces FIRST as Solution to STEM Skills-Gap in United States 

MANCHESTER, N.H., October 15, 2024 – FIRST^®, a robotics community that prepares young people for the future, today announced the launch of “Get Anywhere,” a campaign to grow awareness of how its preK-12 robotics programs prepare young people for life after high school. The campaign launched with an inspirational video featuring FIRST founder Dean Kamen and alumni of the nonprofit’s programs, which will air during leading U.S. morning shows “TODAY” and “Good Morning America” this fall. The launch also included a video series via leading business and innovation outlet Fast Company that discusses distinct themes relevant to young people, STEM education, and real-world career applications. 

The concept behind “Get Anywhere” is driven by the pervasiveness of the STEM workforce skills shortage, which begins with young people expressing interest in STEM careers but falling out of the pipeline before graduating high school. Gen Z students are interested in STEM fields but are getting insufficient exposure to relevant subjects and opportunities, which negatively impacts their ability to see themselves in these roles: Only 29 percent of Gen Z students cite STEM jobs as their top career choices, despite 75 percent being interested in these fields. “Get Anywhere” aspires to slow this trend among not only Gen Z students but also those within Gen Alpha – born 2010 and later – who are earlier in their STEM education, have grown up with access to advanced technologies, and have enormous potential to increase science and technology engagement and affinity. 

At the heart of “Get Anywhere” is a hero video produced by Nation of Artists that features professionals from leading global brands such as John Deere, RTX and Nike whose innovative roles were made possible with the technical STEM skills and socio-emotional acumen acquired through participation in FIRST. The FIRST alumni voices reinforce that all participants can “go pro.” Young people can start building their skillsets today while they figure out potential careers because STEM and FIRST skills can help them get anywhere. 

“Today’s students are using STEM education to chart their own unique paths to successful careers, whatever they may look like,” said Chris Moore, CEO of FIRST. “Not every student has a clear vision for their future career from a young age. It’s our responsibility, as supportive adults, to help them keep all options on the table while building their confidence, resilience and self-worth – all of which affect their aspirations. Encouraging them to pursue ‘multiplier opportunities’ like FIRST provides the skills to be successful anywhere they choose.” 

The campaign is an effort by FIRST to help students and adult caregivers understand the true breadth of STEM careers and academic paths, the role of STEM across industries (even those not typically thought of as “STEM,” such as the performing or creative arts, apparel design and auto racing), and how young people don’t need to “have it all figured out” to get started. 

There is increasing urgency to bolster STEM interest among young people as the demand for STEM continues to grow. STEM jobs are projected to grow much faster than non-STEM roles over the next eight years. FIRST not only has broad application across a wide range of professions and industries, it also helps build the skills young people need to become productive global citizens, including teamwork, communication, resiliency, empathy for others and a lifelong love of learning. 

Industry leaders such as 3M, Molex, Novelis and Optimum are supporters of the “Get Anywhere” campaign and longtime proponents of workforce development and expanding access to STEM programs in service of building a stronger talent pipeline.  

“STEM education can open so many doors, but having technical know-how isn’t enough: Students also need a lifelong love of learning, deep-seated curiosity and a sense of purpose,” said Jacqueline Berry, senior manager, 3M Community Affairs. “FIRST is a one-stop-shop for building the next generation of science and technology leaders. Getting a head-start through FIRST sets them up for success, no matter what path they choose to pursue.” 

The “Get Anywhere” campaign is also designed to galvanize business leaders to support STEM education as a means of bolstering their own talent pipelines and fortifying their future innovation potential. 

“In an era where the landscape of careers is evolving rapidly, it's essential to equip young people with the adaptability and skills to thrive in any field they choose. FIRST is instrumental in sparking a passion for STEM and providing students with the tools to navigate and excel in the future workforce," said Erica Holm, community affairs program manager at Molex. "By supporting FIRST, Molex is investing in the innovators of tomorrow, ensuring they have the technical expertise and confidence to become leaders of the next generation.”

"Our world is constantly being shaped by new challenges, many of which are heightening the need for sustainable innovation and a workforce comprised of talent who are critical thinkers, collaborative and open to new ways of tackling solutions,” said Suzanne Lindsay-Walker, vice president of sustainability at Novelis. “At Novelis, we are committed to investing in our communities to spark curiosity in STEM and celebrate the wide variety of fulfilling and purpose-driven career opportunities awaiting young people in global manufacturing companies like ours. Our global strategic partnership with FIRST has allowed us to share with our future workforce how the skills they’re honing through robotics are not only relevant, but in high demand at companies like ours who are dependent on the ingenuity of our people every day to deliver smart and sustainable solutions for our customers.”

From small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, many support FIRST as the gold-standard robotics organization through financial support, in-kind donations, and employee volunteer hours.

“As a company focused on technology and innovation, Optimum has been a long-time supporter of programs that champion STEM and education, including FIRST,” said Jen Ostrager, senior vice president of community affairs at Optimum. “We understand the importance of fostering STEM skill development and inspiring the next generation of leaders, and we continue to not only sponsor FIRST teams and competitions throughout our service area but enjoy a deeper connection to the FIRST community through our Optimum Innovator Awards program, which further ensures students have the tools, technologies and opportunities they need to pursue their interests.”

Learn more about the campaign at firstinspires.org/getanywhere and see how you can become involved in esteem-building activities and illustrate the full spectrum of STEM careers through FIRST. You can follow along with the conversation on social media via #GetAnywhere.  

About FIRST^® 

FIRST^® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school or in structured after-school programs. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, and sponsors that include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges.

An international not-for-profit organization founded by accomplished inventor Dean Kamen in 1989, FIRST has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Participants and alumni of FIRST programs gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life. Learn more at firstinspires.org.