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Alumni Spotlight: Caroline Ryba
11/13/2019 10:32:00 AM | Tennis
Before graduating in 2018, Caroline Ryba had made her mark in Gopher women's tennis history. A three-time All-Big Ten recipient, Ryba still coaches tennis to this day, even making appearances at Baseline. The Maroon and Gold Alumna, who calls Chicago home, has made roots for herself in Minnesota working for Boston Scientific. Gopher Sports decided to catch up with her and her life after college in this Alumni Spotlight.
Gopher Sports: Since graduating, what have you been up to? New job? Where are you living?
Caroline Ryba: I now work at Boston Scientific in Maple Grove as a Design Assurance Engineer. I love the company culture and have always been interested in the medical device industry, so it's a great fit. I also continue to teach tennis at Baseline a few times a week. I live on the U of M West Bank campus, about a block from downtown Minneapolis.
GS: What are some things you have accomplished since graduating? What are some goals you have set for yourself?
CR: I ran my first half marathon this past August and that was something I've wanted to do since the end of my college tennis career. My current personal goals are to just stay healthy and happy. Tennis was a huge part of my life for so long and it's definitely been a difficult adjustment to no longer training and competing, but I am starting to enjoy a less intense workout routine. As I continue my engineering job, I hope to soon figure out my long term career goals and how to go about achieving them.
GS: How did the Gopher women's tennis program prepare you for life after college?
CR: Being a part of the Gopher women's tennis program taught me a lot about the value of teamwork and relationships. Being able to work with people of varying personalities and communication styles is a key attribute in the corporate world, and my involvement in college tennis has definitely helped me on that front.
GS: Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
CR: I chose the University of Minnesota because it was the best fit for me in every way. I felt a connection with the coaches from the start and was attracted to the prestige of the U's engineering programs. I thought the location was great as well, with Minneapolis being a beautiful city that's driving distance from my home in Chicago, but was pretty unfamiliar to me coming out of high school.
GS: What impact did the University of Minnesota have on you as an athlete and a person?
CR: The University of Minnesota served as a great place for me to grow as a person, tennis player, student, and professional. I came out of college a better-rounded, mature and overall fulfilled person than when I came in. I met so many influential people and built lasting relationships, and overall had some of the best times of my life at the 'U.'
GS: Do you have any favorite or funny memories while wearing the Maroon and Gold?
CR: This is a tough question because there are too many to recall. Obviously there were a lot of team victories and individual matches that stand out, like our win against Ohio State my senior year. Mehvish and I dressed up as each other for practice on Halloween that year, which was really funny.
GS: What advice do you want to give newcomers that follow in your footsteps?
CR: The advice I would give to a newcomer would be to take each day as it comes and enjoy every moment. These four years will fly by, so try to make the best decisions you can in each situation you're in, work hard on and off the court, and don't worry about the rest.
Gopher Sports: Since graduating, what have you been up to? New job? Where are you living?
Caroline Ryba: I now work at Boston Scientific in Maple Grove as a Design Assurance Engineer. I love the company culture and have always been interested in the medical device industry, so it's a great fit. I also continue to teach tennis at Baseline a few times a week. I live on the U of M West Bank campus, about a block from downtown Minneapolis.
GS: What are some things you have accomplished since graduating? What are some goals you have set for yourself?
CR: I ran my first half marathon this past August and that was something I've wanted to do since the end of my college tennis career. My current personal goals are to just stay healthy and happy. Tennis was a huge part of my life for so long and it's definitely been a difficult adjustment to no longer training and competing, but I am starting to enjoy a less intense workout routine. As I continue my engineering job, I hope to soon figure out my long term career goals and how to go about achieving them.
GS: How did the Gopher women's tennis program prepare you for life after college?
CR: Being a part of the Gopher women's tennis program taught me a lot about the value of teamwork and relationships. Being able to work with people of varying personalities and communication styles is a key attribute in the corporate world, and my involvement in college tennis has definitely helped me on that front.
GS: Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
CR: I chose the University of Minnesota because it was the best fit for me in every way. I felt a connection with the coaches from the start and was attracted to the prestige of the U's engineering programs. I thought the location was great as well, with Minneapolis being a beautiful city that's driving distance from my home in Chicago, but was pretty unfamiliar to me coming out of high school.
GS: What impact did the University of Minnesota have on you as an athlete and a person?
CR: The University of Minnesota served as a great place for me to grow as a person, tennis player, student, and professional. I came out of college a better-rounded, mature and overall fulfilled person than when I came in. I met so many influential people and built lasting relationships, and overall had some of the best times of my life at the 'U.'
GS: Do you have any favorite or funny memories while wearing the Maroon and Gold?
CR: This is a tough question because there are too many to recall. Obviously there were a lot of team victories and individual matches that stand out, like our win against Ohio State my senior year. Mehvish and I dressed up as each other for practice on Halloween that year, which was really funny.
GS: What advice do you want to give newcomers that follow in your footsteps?
CR: The advice I would give to a newcomer would be to take each day as it comes and enjoy every moment. These four years will fly by, so try to make the best decisions you can in each situation you're in, work hard on and off the court, and don't worry about the rest.
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