PUBLISHED MARCH 2024
Roseanne designs a vision for the future
Roseanne grew up in South Auckland and went to school at St. Josephs Primary and McAuley High School in Otahuhu. She says her parents always prioritised education for their six children despite the debt that student loans demanded. “In their words, education is the key to success and breaking out of poverty.” She’s proven them right. Today, Roseanne is a qualified Biomedical engineer and General Manager of Quality Systems at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.
She believes early exposure to role models and the professionals that First Foundation provided was instrumental in her success.
She made connections, gained experiences and benefited from the guidance of someone who had already started to ply their learnings in their career.
“It was so valuable to start the programme in Year 12. You learn the importance of relationships; you learn the dynamics of the workplace; you see how career pathways pan out. The mentoring begins at a crucial time when you need to make a call on what subjects to take at uni.”
Roseanne with her family at a First Foundation event
So, when you are introduced to real-world role models and what they do each day, it’s easier to understand what your life might look like in 10 years; that’s very different to someone standing up and telling you, “Hey, engineers do this.”
A spark ignited a passion for engineering
Roseanne was in the early days of her degree when she realised how impactful a career in engineering could be. Although she already had great skills with numbers, exposure to how it can be practically applied, helped ignite a spark that would shape her life.
“I was with Ford Motor Company, and they were working on alloy wheels. You’d see something on the screen right in front of you in design software, and then you see it materialise out on the floor. And that’s awesome.”
Roseanne’s journey into engineering began with a simple realisation of her knack for numbers. She sees engineering as breaking down complex problems and delivering simple solutions. Her role now involves leading teams to support the delivery of quality medical devices. She takes pride in her work, emphasising that every project is an opportunity to improve patients’ lives. This sense of purpose aligns with what she’s gained from First Foundation, where the focus is not just on academic excellence but on making a meaningful impact in the world.
Engineering a better future
Roseanne feels First Foundation’s 25th year has come around quickly. Her cohort had only a few scholars. Now, there is decades of evidence that the programme is a launching pad for ambitious students who can help shape the world. She sees the programme’s unique model and its potential for expansion as vital components for addressing educational and professional inequities.
