 A
few years ago, the Omaha Police Department considered digital photography
as a tool for investigating accident scenes. However, several officers
complained that the new technology lacked convenience and usability.
The department contacted UNL master’s degree student Kevin Cueto.
Cueto designed a computer software system that eliminated pages of
cumbersome paperwork and enabled officers to control the digital camera
from a laptop computer. A user-friendly interface ensured that the
officers recorded all the necessary data for each camera shot. Later,
Cueto presented the software to federal officials in Washington D.C.
Kevin Cueto’s diverse experiences illustrate the versatility
of a computer science degree. As computers assume increasing significance
in society, both the magnitude and the variety of positions requiring
computer expertise have increased dramatically. For Cueto, this
has contributed to an exciting five years since he graduated from
UNL with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering.
Following graduation, Cueto moved to Texas and worked for Raytheon
as a software engineer developing web-based applications. While
at Raytheon, he designed a system to transfer an existing windows
system to a web based application.
Although Cueto enjoyed his position at Raytheon, he missed the
intellectual stimuli of academic work. During his undergraduate
studies at UNL, Cueto felt that the program had presented a balanced
perspective between applied and theoretical approaches, an attitude
not always reflected in the private sector. “Businesses are
there to make money,” Cueto stated. Consequently, he returned
to UNL to work for his master’s degree. Cueto likened the
significance of theoretical comprehension to a similar scenario
in mathematics. “Merely being able to program is like using
a calculator. However, there is a reason they still teach calculus.”
During his master’s degree study at UNL, Cueto became involved
with the Omaha Police Department Program. Cueto also wrote a master’s
thesis on Geographic Information Systems. Cueto designed a program
that would match data from a symbolic map to a satellite image.
For example, Cueto might ask the computer to find the Lincoln Memorial
on a satellite image of Washington D.C. When compared with a human
participant, the computer scored approximately 80% accuracy.
Upon completion of the master’s program, Cueto joined Analysts
International, a firm hired by the state of Nebraska to improve
World Wide Web access to government databases. Cueto’s work
arose from the need of governmental officials and workers to obtain
information and modify entries from remote locations. Given the
sensitivity and significance of such material, Cueto devotes much
of his time to developing security measures. Eventually, Cueto’s
database work may directly impact the public at large. Cueto cited
an effort in Chicago enabling people to pay traffic fines over the
World Wide Web.
However, the implementation of web access programs has faced substantial
difficulty. The high growth in the technology sector has created
such demand for skilled computer workers, that the state has had
difficulty maintaining personal. Many workers leave in the midst
of unfinished projects, causing delays and substantial turmoil.
Cueto stated that most of his work with the state has involved completing
such projects.
The high demand has given Cueto tremendous job security and control
over his work environment. “I can get another job tomorrow
if I want to,” he stated. At Raytheon, the company allowed
their workers flex time as an incentive to stay with the company.
Early birds would arrive during the mornings, others in the afternoon,
and night owls in the evening. Cueto faces no difficulty with employability.
One might say that Cueto’s computer skills have taken him
on a magic carpet ride. Despite his numerous adventures, Cueto isn’t
a weary traveler. Throughout the interview, Cueto exuded good cheer.
He conversed with effusive energy regarding the comparative merits
of JAVA and C++. When asked about stress associated with his present
position, Cueto shrugged, “Sometimes there are tight deadlines,
but they don’t bother me too much.” After five years
in the field, Cueto remains as vibrant and spirited as the growing
computer industry. |
