Engineers Week Alumni Spotlight: Ben Romano
February 22, 2022
With the support of generous corporate sponsors like Molex, FIRST® has positively impacted more than three million youth in 110-plus countries, inspiring them to build the STEM and life skills they need to become productive global citizens – including teamwork, resiliency and a lifelong love of learning. For more than five years, Molex has supported FIRST in many ways, including co-sponsoring FIRST Championship and contributing to the Robot Service Center at this event, supplying critical electronic components for FIRST® Robotics Competition teams, and mentoring FIRST teams through employee engagement. This multi-faceted support keeps the FIRST mission moving forward, engaging students in transformational STEM learning experiences. Together, FIRST and Molex are empowering tomorrow’s workforce and helping students create connections for life.
Molex is also a proud supporter of the FIRST “Get Anywhere” campaign, which reinforces FIRST as the solution to the STEM skills-gap among young people in the United States. Featuring a content series driven by the real-life journeys of FIRST alumni, the campaign celebrates a wide range of careers that are built on a foundation of STEM. In this blog, you will meet two FIRST alumni who have found fulfilling careers at Molex. Though they are at different stages in their journeys, both continue to benefit from the transferable skills they built through FIRST.
Meet Julia:
- FIRST Alumni: FIRST® Tech Challenge Team 7074, “BOOC BOTS”
- Current FIRST event volunteer
- Role at Molex: Rotational Engineer/ Networking Training Specialist
- How long have you worked at Molex? Two years
FIRST Staff: Can you tell us when you discovered that STEM aligned with your interests and aspirations?
Julia: I discovered my interest in STEM while helping my dad with repairs around the house, such as changing light switches and resetting the Wi-Fi. Completing these tasks felt rewarding. My elementary school teacher recommended me for the “STEM: College for Kids” camp at Northern Illinois University, my alma mater. In elementary school and high school, I participated in science fairs, LEGO® MINDSTORMS challenges and FIRST Tech Challenge. Engaging in FIRST competitions and meeting real astronauts solidified my desire to pursue a STEM-related career. Since then, I made it my mission to find classes related to this field in high school and college.
FIRST Staff: How can we help young people see themselves in STEM, or how can we help them discover how STEM skills support their pursuit of other interests and passions?
Julia: It's essential to present STEM topics in a way that demonstrates their relevance and appeal. By connecting these subjects to relatable scenarios—such as the complexities of home building, designing sustainable living spaces or cars, or navigating the home and/or car-buying process—we can make engineering and the broader STEM fields attractive and accessible to today's youth. This can ultimately foster a new generation of innovators who see the exciting possibilities within STEM.
FIRST Staff: What advice would you give young people who are trying to find their path?
Julia: Try new things and explore activities that may not initially seem like they are within your wheelhouse. My own curiosity drove me to ask questions about how things work, like the mechanics of cars or the formation of stars and clouds. It was the exposure to STEM camps and programs, like FIRST, in school that opened my eyes to engineering and science. These experiences sparked a passion within me that I might not have discovered otherwise. I encourage young people to embrace curiosity, seek out new experiences and pursue paths that resonate with them, even if they seem unfamiliar at first.
Meet Evan:
- FIRST Alumni: FIRST® Robotics Competition Team 303, “Test Team”
- Current FIRST Event Volunteer
- Role at Molex: Engineering Manager
- How long have you worked at Molex? Eight years
FIRST Staff: Can you tell us when you discovered that STEM aligned with your interests and aspirations?
Evan: Growing up, I always loved watching TV shows like How It’s Made and Modern Marvels, so I knew I had some interest in a STEM career. My experience in high school as a FIRST Robotics Competition student really solidified this is what I was passionate about and wanted to do with my life. I remember when joining FIRST Robotics Competition, I thought I wanted to work on the manufacturing side of the robot, but quickly grew an interest in the electrical system and over time became the electrical team lead. That has stuck with me – today I design those same electrical connectors I worked with as a student.
FIRST Staff: What STEM skills have you used throughout your career?
Evan: Early in my career, technical skills like 3D modeling, data analysis and materials science were important for me as a mechanical design engineer. However, there are many other general skills that I’ve gained from my STEM experiences that are more fundamental to my career successes. Problem-solving and the initiative to address challenges, effective and collaborative communication and critical thinking are all valuable skills I’ve consistently applied throughout my career and heavily rely on today as an Engineering Manager.
FIRST Staff: What advice would you give young people who are trying to find their path?
Evan: To find fulfillment in life, I feel it is critical to love what you do. And the only way to find what you love is to experiment. In my career, I’ve worked with many of my team members to self-actualize and find their passion, and the one common thread in each of their journeys is the initiative and willingness to try new things. To find your own path, seek out as many different skills and curiosities as you can. And from my personal experience, there is no better program for this than FIRST.
While students figure out their tomorrows, FIRST helps them build their skills today. Learn more about how FIRST empowers students to “Get Anywhere.” If you are a FIRST alum, we want to learn about where you are now – share your story on social media with #GetAnywhere or send an email to marketing@firstinspires.org.