In this week’s How I Work, we are going to look
a little bit into the life of a familiar face from FIRST HQ. You might remember
him as the guy who says “Bring out the dead!” in the FRC Stronghold Game
reveal: Jonathan Bryant. When Jonathan joined FRC, he instantly became
mesmerized by the regional atmosphere and years later became a FRC Kit of Parts
Engineer. In this article, you can find out more about the amazing stories and
advice Jonathan has to offer!
a little bit into the life of a familiar face from FIRST HQ. You might remember
him as the guy who says “Bring out the dead!” in the FRC Stronghold Game
reveal: Jonathan Bryant. When Jonathan joined FRC, he instantly became
mesmerized by the regional atmosphere and years later became a FRC Kit of Parts
Engineer. In this article, you can find out more about the amazing stories and
advice Jonathan has to offer!
[Responses from September 21, 2016]
Name: Jonathan Bryant (JB)
CD Username: JB
Current Gig/Job: FRC Kit of Parts Engineer
Alma Mater/Degree: Drexel University BS in Mechanical Engineering
Current Team(s): 238 (2016-present)
Former Team(s): 1403 (2008-2014)
Location: Manchester, NH
Hobbies: Food, video games, sports, robotics, and spending time on the
water.
water.
What inspired you to do
what you do? Tell us a story.
what you do? Tell us a story.
FIRST® inspired me to do what I do. I know that sounds cheesy. My
technology teacher, Mr. Leicht, convinced me to join the team during my junior
year at high school. I will never forget the first time I walked into an
official competition, it was the 2008 NJ regional and the game was Overdrive,
it was like some kind of high. The buzz in the air, the scale of the
competition, the elegance of the machines, I knew I was home. That was the
defining moment when I said to myself, okay I want to keep doing this and I want
to be an engineer. Without a mentor leading the way for me, I would not be an
engineer, I would not be in my dream job working at FIRST, and I would not be trying to give the same experience to the
students on the team I mentor.
technology teacher, Mr. Leicht, convinced me to join the team during my junior
year at high school. I will never forget the first time I walked into an
official competition, it was the 2008 NJ regional and the game was Overdrive,
it was like some kind of high. The buzz in the air, the scale of the
competition, the elegance of the machines, I knew I was home. That was the
defining moment when I said to myself, okay I want to keep doing this and I want
to be an engineer. Without a mentor leading the way for me, I would not be an
engineer, I would not be in my dream job working at FIRST, and I would not be trying to give the same experience to the
students on the team I mentor.
What is your day job,
and how’d you get there?
and how’d you get there?
I work for FIRST
as the FIRST Robotics Competition Kit
of Parts Engineer. Being the Kit of Parts engineer is a very interesting job
and my roles and responsibilities are always changing, which I love. During the
build season I work on team updates, q and a’s, and I also oversee the LRI and
RI program here at FIRST. During the
competition season I go out to events and FTA as well as LRI. During the off
season I get to work on game design, manual development, and most importantly
the kit of parts, which includes sourcing parts, logistics planning, testing
items, and working with suppliers. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that I get to hang out
with amazing people while working.
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(apparently I really like making that face)
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What is your favorite
story to tell about robotics?
I love to tell the story of the buttons that 238brought to Asheville this year. The whole team is standing outside in the cold
waiting for the doors to open for the first day of the competition. Anyone who
knows me knows that I am not the most alert person in the wee hours of the
morning. Eventually I notice that some of the students are giggling and looking
at me. I start to think do I have something on my face? Am I wearing the wrong
outfit? What does my hair look like? Eventually I notice a button that one of
the students is wearing.
For those of you who don’t get the joke, I am
the bring out your dead guy. https://youtu.be/3lBiwIt2Xh8?t=32m27s The entire team was wearing them, mentors, students, parents. It
was kind of perfect. The team gave these buttons out at the event so they were
everywhere. I would walk around and see my face everywhere it was very funny.
the bring out your dead guy. https://youtu.be/3lBiwIt2Xh8?t=32m27s The entire team was wearing them, mentors, students, parents. It
was kind of perfect. The team gave these buttons out at the event so they were
everywhere. I would walk around and see my face everywhere it was very funny.
What’s your favorite
robot that you didn’t help build?
Barrage (254-2014) – The detail that went into everyaspect of that robot, along with the simplicity and effectiveness of it, was
astounding. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication and like all magnificent
things, it was very simple. Plus, it was fun to bring some skeleton of it to HQ.
What apps/software/tools
can’t you live without? (Work/Robotics/Home)
can’t you live without? (Work/Robotics/Home)
My cell phone. Everything I do is on my Nexus.
Recently my phone stopped working for a day while I was traveling and I felt
completely lost. I also use google applications extensively for home and
robotics. In the robotics lab there is a locked cabinet, that the students do
not have access to, with a complete multi tool set and a complete drill set
that comes in handy during very stressful times. I really like to walk to and
from work while listening to music and my QC35’s allows me to really wind up or
shut down. The other tool that we use extensively in the robotics shop is post
its. I am a very big fan of tracking progress via post-its. I feel that it
really allows people to take ownership of projects while ensuring everything
gets done.
Recently my phone stopped working for a day while I was traveling and I felt
completely lost. I also use google applications extensively for home and
robotics. In the robotics lab there is a locked cabinet, that the students do
not have access to, with a complete multi tool set and a complete drill set
that comes in handy during very stressful times. I really like to walk to and
from work while listening to music and my QC35’s allows me to really wind up or
shut down. The other tool that we use extensively in the robotics shop is post
its. I am a very big fan of tracking progress via post-its. I feel that it
really allows people to take ownership of projects while ensuring everything
gets done.
What’s your workspace
setup like? (Work/Robotics/Home)
setup like? (Work/Robotics/Home)
All my workspaces are basically the same,
computer with two big monitors and ample desk space so that I can clutter it
up. I am obsessed with my Logitech mx master and have at least one at every
workspace.
computer with two big monitors and ample desk space so that I can clutter it
up. I am obsessed with my Logitech mx master and have at least one at every
workspace.
What do you listen to
while you work?
while you work?
Usually nothing, but when I do it is alternative
rock (Blink-182, etc.)
rock (Blink-182, etc.)
What’s your schedule
like during build season?
like during build season?
Work from 0900 to 1800, then robotics with the
team from 1800 to 2200ish, Monday to Friday. Saturdays are typically 0900 to
1600 with the team and Sundays are typical down time until about week 4, when
the team will meet for a few hours.
team from 1800 to 2200ish, Monday to Friday. Saturdays are typically 0900 to
1600 with the team and Sundays are typical down time until about week 4, when
the team will meet for a few hours.
What everyday thing are
you better at than anyone else?
you better at than anyone else?
I do not think I am better than anyone else at
some everyday thing. There are almost 7.5 billion people on this planet, it
would be absurd to think I am better at something then every one of those 7.5
billion people. Although who knows, maybe I am the best at hitting snooze on my
alarm clock.
some everyday thing. There are almost 7.5 billion people on this planet, it
would be absurd to think I am better at something then every one of those 7.5
billion people. Although who knows, maybe I am the best at hitting snooze on my
alarm clock.
With that being said I think I excel at handling
pressure, dealing with problems, and coordinating chaos.
pressure, dealing with problems, and coordinating chaos.
What’s the best advice
you’ve ever received?
you’ve ever received?
The only truly finite resource that we have is
time, so ask yourself at the end of every day, did I use my time wisely?
time, so ask yourself at the end of every day, did I use my time wisely?
What is your favorite
guilty pleasure?
guilty pleasure?
Cooking. The reason it is a guilty pleasure is
because I spend way too much time and money on it. I will spend hours
researching what I am going to cook, ensuring I have the best possible cooking
apparatus, procuring the best possible ingredients, and prepping the meal, all
for this short 30-minute experience. Basically every time I cook I try to make
it the best meal I have ever had. 9 times out of 10 it is not the best but it
is that 1 time that keeps me addicted.
because I spend way too much time and money on it. I will spend hours
researching what I am going to cook, ensuring I have the best possible cooking
apparatus, procuring the best possible ingredients, and prepping the meal, all
for this short 30-minute experience. Basically every time I cook I try to make
it the best meal I have ever had. 9 times out of 10 it is not the best but it
is that 1 time that keeps me addicted.
Fill in the blank. I’d
love to see Adrienne Emerson 148 answer these same questions.
love to see Adrienne Emerson 148 answer these same questions.
Anything else you want
people to know about you?
people to know about you?
I am always available to answer questions, provide feedback, or
work through problems with people.
work through problems with people.
You can contact Jonathan at jbryant@firstinspires.org
“You may delay, but time will not.” – Benjamin Franklin
