On Thursday, August 8th, 2024, the Qubit Bot robotics team had the privilege of hosting an enlightening virtual outreach event with Mr. Matthew Milone, a FIRST alumnus who now works as a quantitative software developer at First Trust, a financial services firm. The session, organized by team member Kylie, was not only an opportunity to showcase the FTC robotics program and demo our control bot, but also a chance to gain insights from someone who has successfully transitioned from a robotics enthusiast to a professional in the finance sector.
Introduction to the Speaker
Matthew Milone is no stranger to the world of FIRST. Growing up in upstate New York, near the Air Force Research Lab’s Information Directorate, he was exposed to the technical world early on. His journey with FIRST began in high school, when he became a member of the FTC community team Geared Up. After completing his education, he transitioned into the professional world, where he now works as a software engineer at First Trust, specializing in quantitative software development.
Key Topics Discussed by Matthew
FTC Experience
Matthew recounted his time with Geared Up, particularly during the "Block Party" season. He shared the challenges his team faced, such as their robot breaking down during a scrimmage and the tough decision to rebuild their robot from scratch just weeks before a qualifier. This experience taught him the value of resilience, teamwork, and strategic simplicity.
Professional Journey
Transitioning to his career, Matthew described his role as a quantitative software developer at First Trust. He explained that his job involves developing software to assist financial analysts, focusing on tasks like creating and calculating financial indexes. His work requires a strong understanding of finance and mathematics, as well as proficiency in programming languages like Delphi.
The Importance of Understanding the Broader Context
In his current role, Matthew emphasized the need to understand how his work fits into the larger picture of his employer’s goals. This is not just about solving technical problems but also about making others' jobs easier. He highlighted the significance of understanding the physical world, the value of documentation, the necessity of training, and the importance of testing before going live. These principles are just as relevant in robotics as they are in software development.
Career Advice and the Reality of Software Engineering
Matthew offered candid advice about the field of software engineering. He noted that while it provides valuable learning opportunities, it’s also a crowded field. He encouraged us to explore other career paths, such as scientific research, game development, or operations research for those with a passion for applied mathematics. His advice to combine online and in-person job search strategies and to learn programming as a valuable skill, even if one does not pursue a career in software engineering, was particularly resonant with our team.
Key Learnings for the Qubit Bot Team
Matthew’s talk offered several valuable takeaways that the Qubit Bot team can apply to their preparation for the upcoming FTC season:
Resilience in the Face of Challenges
The Geared Up team’s decision to rebuild their robot under tight deadlines is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability. The Qubit Bot team can draw inspiration from this as they encounter challenges in their robotics journey.
Strategic Simplicity
Matthew’s experience with simplifying the robot’s design to focus on a single task highlights the importance of clear priorities. The team can apply this principle by focusing on mastering key elements of their robot before expanding its capabilities.
Documentation and Testing
Emphasizing the lessons learned from FIRST, Matthew’s advice on thorough documentation and rigorous testing is crucial. The team can integrate these practices into their workflow to ensure they are well-prepared for competitions.
Gracious Professionalism
Finally, the principle of Gracious Professionalism remains a cornerstone of the FIRST experience. The Qubit Bot team can carry this value with them, not only in their robotics endeavors but also in their future careers and personal lives.
Conclusion
Our outreach event with Matthew Milone was more than just a demonstration of our robot. It was an opportunity to learn from someone who has walked the path we are on and emerged successful. His insights into resilience, the importance of understanding the bigger picture, and the value of Gracious Professionalism will stay with us as we move forward in our journey with FTC. As the team gears up for the upcoming season, we are armed with valuable lessons and a renewed appreciation for the principles that FIRST embodies. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from Matthew and are excited to apply these lessons in the upcoming season.
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