After forming a Vex IQ Robotics team in 8th grade and ranking 9th in the world, my passion for robotics blossomed. I formed a team to compete in a higher league, Vex VRC, taking on roles such as captain, driver, and builder. I also aided in the CAD design of our robots, mitigating material waste and allowing us to experiment and design before committing to a time-consuming build.

The aspect of robotics that really stuck out to me the most however, were team interviews. They really helped me refine presentation skills and win awards. Integrating humor and shaping the interview as a two-way interaction became my strength. Getting feedback from judges saying that the interviews felt more like a discussion was a very gratifying experience, and through this process, I’ve developed more confidence and on the fly thinking when it comes to presentations

Even as my study focus shifts, I still value the contribution that robotics had on me. I hope to explore the applications of robotics within the field of Construction, helping to eliminate tasks that pose direct dangers to laborers. I hope that with such a partnership, the construction industry can become safer and more efficient, allowing human expertise to be applied in tasks where it is most needed.