As Kyle Rodrigues entered his senior year at Neuqua Valley High School in his hometown of Naperville, Illinois, he had just completed a summer architecture internship and was ready to find a college to continue his academic pursuit in architecture. That was until he took an AP computer science course and discovered his love for coding.

“I learned how much I loved coding from that class and knew that although I liked architecture, it was not the best field for me.”   

So began Rodrigues’ search for a university that offered a computer science program that matched his love for coding. That’s when he came across MSOE.

“I heard about the computer science program, which sounded interesting, but what really sold me was when I first met Dr. Derek Riley, head of the computer science program,” said Rodrigues. “He impressed me with his vision of computer science and how the program was going to take it to the next level by introducing artificial intelligence and machine learning to undergraduate students.”

Rodrigues enjoys diving into the computer science program and working on cutting edge technology that is changing how humans view and interact with each other and the environment. His hands-on learning extends outside the classroom at his internship at Cognex, the world’s leading provider of vision systems, software, sensors and industrial barcode readers used in manufacturing automation.

Rodrigues’ internship provides him with real world experience working on tasks related to improving the software for Cognex’s vision products.

“I am currently working on addressing failing unit tests, which is the testing of individual units and components of code, with the goal to either improve them or decide if they are not needed anymore.”   

In addition to his computer science major, Rodrigues is pursuing a minor in user experience to help him gain a greater understanding of different consumers’ perspectives to enable him to design better graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and create an improved experience for the average user on future products.

When Rodrigues isn’t in class or working, you can find him engaging in groups across campus. He is a member of the Student Union Board (SUB) and Society of Software Engineers (SSE). He also enjoys staying active by joining events on his dorm floor, hitting the gym, playing intramural indoor soccer, or playing Super Smash Ultimate in the esports room.