After completing my master’s degree at Rose, I took some time after graduation to help out back home, so my first job after graduation was actually to remodel my mom’s house. However, the first job related to my RHIT education had the title of National Accounts Project Coordinator at Fresenius Medical Care in the Operations Engineering Department.
Tanya Colonna
Founder and CEO of BlackTop Labs BV, a medical device and health care business based in the Netherlands, Tanya earned a 2013 biomedical engineering bachelor's, followed by a 2015 master's degree in engineering management.
In this section
FIRST JOB AFTER ROSE-HULMAN?
MOST VALUABLE LESSON YOU LEARNED ON THAT JOB?
Have confidence and stand up for yourself and your ideas, as long as you can do so in a respectful manner. Do not burn bridges.
MOST MEMORABLE ROSE-HULMAN PROFESSOR?
It is really hard to choose only one professor, but I would have to say Dr. Mason [Engineering Management]. He kept teaching at Rose-Hulman long after he “retired” and always encouraged students with his passion for entrepreneurship. A friend and I recently entered a startup competition and after one call to Dr. Mason, he made himself available for us for guidance and encouragement, even though he had not been my professor for several years.
IDEAL WEEKEND?
An ideal weekend for me would include friends and family exploring new places and enjoying new experiences together.
STAR TREK OR STAR WARS?
After attending undergraduate and graduate school at Rose, I’ve surprisingly never watched either, but my mom likes Star Trek, so I’ll say Star Trek.
WHAT IS THE NERDIEST THING YOU DO?
I have the chemical structure of adrenaline tattooed on my left side.
ADVICE TO INCOMING ROSE-HULMAN STUDENTS?
Take this time to explore all of your interests. Take advantage of the unique support system at Rose-Hulman and don’t be afraid of a challenge. Make your education a passion rather than a job. If you are not passionate about learning, it is easy to become complacent after graduation.
