Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to serve as a coding mentor for the Dexter FIRST Robotics FTC team (Team 16714– the Dreadbolts!). As someone who works in the tech industry, I have spent a lot of time solving complex problems, debugging code, and thinking about efficiency. But working with middle school students on a robotics team brought a refreshing and inspiring perspective to engineering I didn’t realize I needed.
Sharing Skills, Inspiring Growth
One of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering was seeing just how capable and creative these kids are. They tackled problems with enthusiasm, collaborated to find solutions, and often surprised me with their insights. It was a privilege to share my programming knowledge and watch them apply it in meaningful ways. Robotics competitions like FTC provide a unique opportunity for students to experience problem-solving in a real-world engineering environment — balancing constraints, troubleshooting issues under pressure, and iterating on their designs.
A Personal Connection
On a personal level, my involvement with FIRST Robotics was even more special because my daughter, a 7th grader, was also part of the team. Seeing her and her peers grow as problem-solvers and teammates reinforced how valuable hands-on STEM experiences are for young minds. It also made me appreciate how much mentorship can impact a student’s confidence and future aspirations.
A Refreshing Change from Industry Stress
The tech industry can be demanding, and it’s easy to become cynical or burned out. Volunteering with a robotics team reminded me why I love engineering in the first place. My role as Managing Partner has pulled me away from programming on a day-to-day work basis, so this was a way for me to reconnect with that extremely fun problem solving. The students’ curiosity, perseverance, and excitement were contagious, making every practice session a bright spot in my week. Their enthusiasm helped rekindle my own passion technology in general.
Consider Getting Involved
If you work in tech, consider how you can use your skills to give back. Whether through mentoring a robotics team, teaching coding workshops, or helping with STEM outreach programs, your knowledge is incredibly valuable. These experiences not only benefit the next generation of engineers and programmers but can also bring a renewed sense of purpose and joy to your own career.
Volunteering with the Dexter FTC team and making it to the Michigan State Championships was an unforgettable experience. I encourage anyone in tech to explore opportunities to share their expertise—you might just find it as rewarding and inspiring as I did.