FIRST

By working closely with research and academic organizations, FIRST hopes to make a lifelong impact on its participating students through their educational and career choices. According to an independent survey done by Brandeis University, FIRST Robotics Competition participants, in comparison to non-FIRST students with similar backgrounds and academic experiences, were more likely to major in engineering and to give back to their communities. When compared with the comparison group, FIRST students are:

• More than 3 times as likely to major specifically in engineering.
• Roughly 10 times as likely to have had an apprenticeship, internship, or co-op job in their freshman year.
• Significantly more likely to expect to achieve a post graduate degree.
• More than twice as likely to expect to pursue a career in science and technology.
• Nearly 4 times as likely to expect to pursue a career specifically in engineering.
• More than twice as likely to volunteer in their communities.