Career & Technical Education
FIRST students become well-rounded individuals through applying what they have learned in the classroom to a simulated work environment enabling them to advance their workforce and leadership skills.
Certifications
Certifications are a great way for students to demonstrate their learning on their career pathway. FIRST students can gain industry certifications to develop skills for their team as well as help them jump-start their career.
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Our goal is to provide a consistent musical atmosphere for all FIRST® events with playlists of music that inspire, motivate, uplift, and create a positive atmosphere that promotes Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition®. Download the playlists and guides below.
FIRST Cross-Program Music
Audio Level Expectations at FIRST Events (PDF, Updated March 2023)
FIRST® Robotics Competition Music
FIRST Robotics Competition Music Strategy Guide (PDF, Updated January 2024)
2024 FIRST Robotics Competition Playlists (XLSX spreadsheet with tabs)
FIRST® Tech Challenge Music
2024 FIRST Tech Challenge Playlists (XLSX spreadsheet with tabs)
FIRST® LEGO® League Music
2024 FIRST LEGO League Playlists (XLSX spreadsheet with tabs)
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Many industry certifications can be used as stackable credentials that can help students show their potential employers the skills they have, such as mastery of a particular software or hardware component. Explore the pathways below to learn more about the available certifications and learning opportunities for certifications through FIRST® partnerships.
Manufacturing and Fabrication
Supplier
2D Milling, 3D Milling (Mastercam)
FIRST Learning Resources
Industry Certification Website
Supplier
2D Milling, 3D Milling (Haas)
FIRST Learning Resources
Industry Certification Website
Supplier
SME Robotics Fundamentals in Manufacturing
FIRST Learning Resources
Industry Certification Website
Engineering Design
Supplier
Onshape Certified Associate (FIRST® Robotics Competition & FIRST® Tech Challenge)
FIRST Learning Resources
Industry Certification Website
Supplier
Siemens SolidEdge Associate (FIRST® Robotics Competition Only)
FIRST Learning Resources
Industry Certification Website
Supplier
Fusion 360 (FIRST® Robotics Competition, FIRST® Tech Challenge)
FIRST Learning Resources
Industry Certification Website
Supplier
Solidworks (FIRST® Robotics Competition, FIRST® Tech Challenge)
FIRST Learning Resources
Industry Certification Website
Computer Science
Supplier
Java Certification (Oracle)
FIRST Learning Resources
Thinkscape FIRST Robotics Competition Course (View directions to access course)
Industry Certification Website
Supplier
Labview Associate Developer
FIRST Learning Resources
Industry Certification Website
Supplier
Machine Learning and AI (Open CV)
FIRST Learning Resources
https://ftc-docs.firstinspires.org/en/latest/ftc_ml/index.html
https://docs.wpilib.org/en/stable/docs/software/vision-processing/index.html
https://docs.wpilib.org/en/stable/docs/software/vision-processing/index.html
Industry Certification Website
Data Analytics
Supplier
Tableau Certified Associate
FIRST Learning Resources
Industry Certification Website
Supplier
Matlab
FIRST Learning Resources
Industry Certification Website
Project Management
Supplier
Monday.com
FIRST Learning Resources
Industry Certification Website
Audio Video Visual Design
Supplier
Apple Final Cut Pro
FIRST Learning Resources
Promote Award, Impact Video, Safety Animation
Industry Certification Website
Supplier
Adobe Certifications (Premier Pro, Photoshop)
FIRST Learning Resources
Promote Award, Impact Video, Safety Animation
Industry Certification Website
Supplier
Google Digital Marketing and E-Commerce
FIRST Learning Resources
Business Plan, Fundraising Toolkit
Industry Certification Website
Career Awareness
Any student’s journey toward building a better future starts with career awareness. FIRST has many career awareness tools built into our programs. We also provide other resources for students to explore career awareness tools and options.
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Through FIRST® programs, students discover careers and often explore what it is like to work in that career through their industry mentors and learning within their team roles.
We also offer many opportunities for students to explore careers through our alumni and industry partnerships.
Career Exploration Tools
The Career Planning Toolkit connects students’ experiences to their career path and future goals. View the directions to access the course in Thinkscape.
FIRST provides students with experiences that explore vast opportunities for their future. Explore this Kahoot course about Career Exploration.
Career Webinars and Videos
MASTERPIECE™ Career Connection video playlist: Hear from the experts who helped shape the FIRST® LEGO® League MASTERPIECE season and learn how they use STEM and the Arts in their careers.
Levi Strauss & Co. X FIRST Career Conversation video: A conversation with Levi’s Head of Global Product Development, Head of Eureka Innovation Lab, and Sustainability Strategist as they discuss all the ways that STEM skills are required for all levels of work in all industries.
From Robotics to Healthcare a FIRST Career Conversation with Johnson & Johnson video: FIRST mentors and alumni from Johnson & Johnson share how the skills they've developed and honed as part of FIRST are applicable to their every-day work from designing surgical robotics to developing life-saving medication.
Orientación profesional con FIRST: Johnson & Johnson en español video: Esta discusión entre miembros del equipo 4400, Cerbotics, de FIRST® Robotics Competition y empleados de Johnson & Johnson, y abarcará los trayectos personales y profesionales como hispanohablantes en las industrias innovadoras de servicios sanitarios y tecnología para servicios sanitarios.
Galactic Builders LIVE! - Powered by Star Wars Force for Change video: Host Libby Kamen interviewed animatronics engineer and co-creator of BB-8, Matt Denton. He shared what it’s like building BB-8, his approach to building engineering marvels and how you can get involved in animatronics. Matt also shared a closer look at building his very own D-O droid and answered questions live.
FIRST Virtual Career Panel featuring BAE Systems, BOSCH, & Rockwell Automation video: Interactive discussion on recruiting priorities from top STEM companies and the best ways to make your FIRST experience work for your future.
Career Blogs
Discussing your FIRST Experience During a Job Interview Ilene Rein, job search strategist and executive recruiter, who shares how to talk about your FIRST® experience during job interviews to land your dream STEM job in our career blog series.
People of STEAM Blog Series People of STEAM is an ongoing blog series that highlights diverse voices in our community and the impacts they are making on the world of FIRST, the world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Art), and/or in their own backyard.
6 STEM Experts on Sparking STEM Interest and Career Discovery in the Classroom STEM experts explore strategies for encouraging career discovery in the classroom.
FIRST® Robotics Competition Sponsors
Season Presenting Sponsor
See also: Our Supporters for a complete list of FIRST sponsors, suppliers, alliances, and individual supporters
Lights, Camera, STEAM!
Jan 09, 2024 Written by Collin Fultz, FIRST Robotics Competition Senior DirectorA handful of post-kickoff updates and reminders for teams!
Revealing the 2024 KitBot!
Jan 08, 2024 Written by Fiona Hanlon, FIRST Robotics Competition Team Experience SpecialistSharing a few key points that are important to all teams building the KitBot.