--- title: Career tips for making the most of your FIRST experience description: Click here to get advice from our sponsors at Bosch, BAE Systems, and Rockwell Automation on career tips for making the most of your FIRST Experience. --- Experts from long-time *FIRST*-supporting companies BAE Systems, BOSCH, and Rockwell Automation joined *FIRST *alum Nikki Stout for a conversation on how *FIRST *experience sets participants up for success. The most important take-aways from the panel for participants and alumni were: - The need to put – and keep – *FIRST *experience on your resume - Your time on a team can help you understand what you like to do, and how to forge your career path - *FIRST *gives you experience that industry values **Jay Flores, Global STEM Ambassador at Rockwell Automation** wants to make sure that *FIRST *participants keep their *FIRST *experience on their resumes. > “As you grow within your career, you’re going to eventually move things around on your resume. When we’re looking at [hiring] students, **the only thing better than a *FIRST *alum is a *FIRST *alum that’s still mentoring and volunteering**, because then you’re showing that you can take on that leadership role and lead with influence.” **Susan Tippy, BOSCH Quality Manager**, notes that your *FIRST *experience isn’t just about your technical skills: > “Highlighting your *FIRST *accomplishments helps to show the breadth of your experience—shows you as a more well-rounded person.”  Tippy encourages *FIRST *alumni to “pick out some key things that translate to the business that you are applying for.” **Samantha Ruppert, Program Manager at BAE Systems**, recommended that teams engage with their sponsors today *and* in the future for career advice and opportunities. She encourages *FIRST *participants to use the time that they’re on a team wisely: > “Figure out what you do and don’t like and talk to people in all different types of careers. A lot of the mentors or people that you’ll work with throughout your time in *FIRST *teams will have various experiences. Take an opportunity to talk to those people, hear what they do or don’t like. Take advantage of those connections to help you get into some internships when you are in school or when you’re first coming out of school.” For more career tips from these experts, watch a recording from the webinar below.   ** [Alumni](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/alumni) #### Share it: [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://community.firstinspires.org/career-tips-making-most-of-first-experience) [** ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://community.firstinspires.org/career-tips-making-most-of-first-experience) [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://community.firstinspires.org/career-tips-making-most-of-first-experience) ![Default Author Image](https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/Community%20Blog%20v2/images/FIRST-author-icon.svg) Author [FIRST Staff](https://community.firstinspires.org/author/first) These blog posts have been contributed by members of *FIRST* staff. *FIRST* is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Manchester, N.H. ### Related Posts ** [Volunteers](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/volunteers) Happy National Volunteer Month: Thank you FIRST Volunteers! April 3, 2023 ** [Alumni](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/alumni), [Volunteers](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/volunteers) FIRST Volunteers: Meet Sarah Fogwell April 8, 2020 ** [Volunteers](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/volunteers) Celebrating FIRST Volunteers During Volunteer Month (April 2023) April 18, 2023 ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1200203950045814&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&event=PageVisit&noscript=1)