From to the Youth to the Future- Furkan Torlak

INTRODUCTION

Hello everyone, it’s us again! I’m Almila from EnkaTech, and today we’ll be sharing our interview with one of our FRC alumni, Furkan.

FRC is not just a robotics competition — it’s a space where teamwork, creativity, and leadership grow together. Over the years, our team has evolved thanks to the effort of many students, and our alumni have become one of the most valuable parts of this journey.

In this interview, we talked with one of our former members about what FRC taught him, how it influenced his life after graduation, and what advice he would give to today’s team members. This article is a wonderful opportunity to remember our alumni who helped shape our team culture and to inspire new members who are continuing the journey.

1) What did the team culture and way of working teach you?

I think the best part of the team culture is the feeling of belonging. After a while, FRC and the team truly become like a second home — and even a second family.

Working within a team teaches you collaboration and leadership. Throughout a season, you get to experience and observe all the dynamics of a team working together. Being able to experience this while still in high school is incredibly valuable, in my opinion.

2) What roles did you take in the team, and what did you learn during that time?

In my first year, I worked in the PR department and took on almost every task I could as a new member. I participated in projects, helped with sponsorship work, and gave multiple Impact presentations.

In my second year, I became the head of finance and sponsorship. During that time, I learned a lot about sponsorships in particular. I was already confident in my presentation skills, but this position helped me improve even more.

Managing all the sponsorship work for a team gave me real business management experience and helped me build a serious network. Those are probably the simplest but most important things I gained.

3) How did the skills you gained from FRC help you in university life?

I believe taking on this kind of responsibility in high school helps you adapt to university life much more easily. Managing your time and workload, being in different environments, communicating effectively, and expressing yourself clearly — these are all things FRC teaches you and things you’ll always need later in life.

I can clearly see how much these skills help me in my current life.

4) Are you still involved in robotics or engineering in university?

As a business student, I’m not deeply involved in robotics or engineering anymore, but I continue to work in PR and finance, and I plan to build my career in those fields.

5) As an FRC alumnus, how do you think programs like this help high school students?

FRC is by far one of the best investments you can make in yourself during high school. It includes so many areas where students can discover their passions, and it provides the perfect environment to build a strong foundation in those areas.

High school is a critical time for shaping your future, and before making big life decisions, FRC is a great place to gain the experiences you’ll need.

6) What should new members focus on to improve themselves?

No matter what department they’re in, they should always try to stand out and take initiative. When I first joined the team, I had no idea what FRC was about, but I constantly stepped up, volunteered for tasks, and did my best in every responsibility I took.

The more you try to stand out, the better place you earn for yourself in the long run — and that turns into more experience and opportunities.

Besides that, don’t stress too much — have fun. Make good memories that you’ll look back on one day and say, “I really enjoyed my high school years.”

7) If you could go back, would you do anything differently in the team?

Honestly, not really. I love the time I spent in the team — both the good and the bad moments. Maybe back then there were things I wished were different, but now I realize that even from the hard times, I learned so much.

If I had such an amazing high school experience, a big part of that is thanks to FRC.

8) If you could describe this team from past to future in one word or sentence, what would it be?

Even though the years pass and people change, this team will always be the same team — our team.

CONCLUSION

Furkan’s words remind us that the greatest reward you gain from FRC isn’t the robots — it’s what you learn, what you share, and the motivation you carry into the future.

Today’s students will become tomorrow’s alumni, and this cycle will continue endlessly.See you in our next blog!

WRITTEN BY: ALMİLA YILDIRIM