Volunteer Spotlight: Fred W.

Fred W.

What did you find most surprising about your experience with FIRST?
I was simply amazed at the level of sophistication of the students’ thinking—from the technologies they used to their organizational skills. The sportsmanship across the competing teams was heartening.

What was the most rewarding part?
First, engaging the students about their aspirations and being able to coach them made me feel great about the intellectual potential of our future. Another rewarding part was seeing and feeling the commitment and support of Bechtel colleagues and the surrounding communities. I was heartily thanked by people at the Knoxville, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., tournaments for Bechtel’s support of this important program. Third was the warm and enthusiastic response from the Bechtel Fellows, those I mentored, and others whom I asked to participate.

What did you find most challenging?
Well, Bechtel’s participation wasn’t announced until the season had already begun. So we weren’t able to engage the sponsored schools for the whole duration of their efforts. Second, the students could really use more Bechtel volunteers from all disciplines. This is not just an engineering thing.

What, for you, has been the most important lesson?
This is a long-term commitment that should be taken seriously. We are nurturing the minds of our future leaders. This is important to Bechtel and society as a whole.

Anything you’d like to add?
At the regional competition in Knoxville, I met John, a civil engineering student from the University of Tennessee. This lad is sharp. I worked with some Bechtel people to get John a job as a summer intern and mentored him during his time with our Power business unit. John made a very positive impression and will be served Bechtel again last summer as an intern with our Oil, Gas & Chemicals buisness line in Houston.