When Nathan Sodini ’22 graduated from Michigan Tech with dual degrees in engineering management and finance, he wasn’t chasing a desk job or a career confined to one city. The College of Business graduate wanted a role that offered international travel, worldwide collaboration, and the opportunity to transform technical expertise into leading-edge solutions.
His ambition led Sodini to Milwaukee Tool, where his work as a product manager drives new product development across multiple strategic, high-value global product categories, creating safer, more productive job sites for the professional trades.
In 2025, Milwaukee Tool honored Sodini with the Rookie of the Year Award in product development.
“Nathan consistently goes above and beyond not only in his day-to-day role but by exemplifying our unique culture here at Milwaukee Tool. His contributions to driving the business forward have earned him this award,” said Sodini’s manager, Ryan Rudzinski, vice president of product management at Milwaukee Tool.
Sodini’s path to Milwaukee Tool began through a connection with Michigan Tech alumna Marie Cleveland, which led to an offer of acceptance into the company’s competitive Operations Development Program. The program gave Sodini 14 months of hands-on experience in locations including Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico, and Greenwood, Mississippi. He now spends most of his time traveling globally and across the U.S. as a member of the global product management team.
“In product management, every day is different. You’re working with engineering, marketing, and operations to make sure what we’re creating actually solves problems for users. We earn the right to work with the trades by listening first.”
— Nathan Sodini ’22, Product Manager, Milwaukee Tool
Before his success was acknowledged by his employer, Sodini earned recognition at Michigan Tech, too, winning the 2022 Sam Tidwell Outstanding Man in Business Award for both scholastic achievement and racking up an impressive list of internship and entrepreneurial experiences.
He was elected president of the Michigan Tech Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Chapter for two years and served as business manager of the Formula SAE Enterprise. These experiences, in particular, helped lay the foundation for Sodini’s approach to product management.
“Being part of the Enterprise Program gave me the chance to work on real projects with real deliverables,” he said. “It taught me how to navigate ambiguity, communicate across disciplines, and always think about the end user.”
Giving Back Through Recruiting
For the past three years, Sodini has served on the Milwaukee Tool–Michigan Tech recruiting team. His efforts help fellow Huskies connect and assist the company in identifying and recruiting the next generation of Milwaukee Tool employees. Through on-campus recruiting events and student engagement, the recruiting team—composed of Michigan Tech alumni—shares their experiences and the Milwaukee Tool culture with students seeking internships and full-time opportunities.
Sodini’s advice for students is based on the formula for success he put into practice at Tech and carried with him into his career: “Get involved, ask questions, and stay curious,” he said. “Your time at Tech is about more than classes. It’s where you learn to collaborate, problem-solve, and lead. Those are the skills that carry you everywhere.”
About the College of Business
The Michigan Tech College of Business prepares tomorrow’s business professionals through STEM-infused, AACSB-accredited degree programs and minors. The college offers nine bachelor of science programs in accounting, business analytics, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing; and four master of science programs in accounting and analytics, applied natural resource economics, engineering management, and the TechMBA®.
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