Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Kevin Rak '17

After the Fall 2017 semester I graduated from the University of Toledo's Computer Science and Engineering program, hosted through the partnership with Lorain County Community College in North Ridgeville. 

As I approached graduation I received an offer for a career civil servant position at NASA Glenn Research Center's (GRC) Flight Software Branch. (My previous co-op at GRC really helped my application process.) When I started working I joined another Toledo CSE alumni on a project which had just completed its design reviews and I got to be part of the process of writing the software from the ground up.

Four years after graduation from the Toledo CSE program at LCCC, the code I wrote on my very first project has been launched on a rocket, delivered to the International Space Station, installed by astronauts, and is currently operating a microgravity fluid physics experiment. If all goes well, we hope the data gathered from this experiment will allow NASA to develop thermal control systems which are orders of magnitude more efficient than current space technologies.

Since the software for that project was finished, I have worked on various other projects including:

• Autonomous Power Control with potential applications for the new Gateway space station, Lunar landers, Lunar base, Mars missions, etc. (the software development for this project was also lead by yet another Toledo CSU alumni)
• Cybersecurity projects focused on urban aircraft communication protocols
• Another microgravity experiment focused on cryogenic fluid transfer with applications for refueling spacecraft while in space

While it's true that NASA's starting salary is significantly below typical industry levels, I've received roughly 80% pay increase in my first four years at NASA which brings me well into the typical range for this stage in my career. I'm also eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness after 120 qualifying loan payments (typically 10 years). And you really can't beat government benefits (healthcare, retirement, etc.).

The CSE degree has really allowed me to thrive in a career where I get to work on a wide variety of incredibly fulfilling projects!