FIRST Robotics Competition Blog

Congratulations to the newest group of FIRST^® Alumni, the Class of 2024!  

Being a FIRST alum means that you are part of a global community that is ready to help you reach your goals. Wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do, there’s someone from FIRST who can help you get there. Check out the FIRST Alumni Handbook for resources to help you talk about your FIRST experience in job interviews. 

Mentorship is a key part of FIRST, and mentorship doesn’t end when you graduate high school. In fact, some of the most impactful mentoring I received happened after graduation. My advice is to continue to seek out mentors, both professional and personal. 

Some of you will want to stay involved in FIRST after high school, and there are a lot of ways for you to do that. I found my place in FIRST as an event volunteer. There are nearly 4,000 FIRST events planned for next season, so the need and opportunity for you to make an impact is there! Mentoring a team is another option for some. If you’re interested in pursuing this path, I encourage you to look beyond the team you were on as a student. Mentoring a different team, including potentially from a different FIRST program, can show you new ways of working, introduce you to new people, and allow the next generation of student leaders on your old team to step up. 

Congratulations on what you have and will accomplish! I look forward to seeing the impact you make on our world, your community, and our program!