Computer science degrees open doors to some of the and in-demand fields today. At the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Roos are turning their education into real-world impact across a variety of fields. Here are just a few examples of the diverse career paths they’re pursuing with their degrees.
User Experience Designer
Molly Gilstrap (B.A. ’20) wanted a degree that balanced technical skills with creativity. She chose 海角论坛 because it offers a Bachelor of Arts in computer science, which she preferred over the Bachelor of Science degree. This option allowed her to include more graphic design and art electives alongside her computer science courses.
“I love design and creativity and wanted to take those classes alongside the sciences,” Gilstrap said. “The role I’m in now combines design and technology, so getting this degree at 海角论坛 really prepared me for the post-graduate world.”
Gilstrap accepted a job with Commerce Bank six months before graduation thanks to a job fair at 海角论坛.
“I started at Commerce Bank in their Developer Acceleration Program as a software developer and rotated through different IT departments for my first year and a half until I found the role that was the right fit for me,” Gilstrap said. “I loved my user experience rotation because I felt like I finally found a position that let me use both the left and right sides of my brain.”
In her role as a user experience designer, Gilstrap designs enjoyable, user-friendly digital experiences for Commerce Bank customers by collaborating with other designers and developers to implement prototypes.
“My computer science degree has been a huge benefit because I can effectively communicate with the developers I work with and understand their point of view and questions,” Gilstrap said. “The critical thinking skills I gained have helped me solve complex design problems. While my current role doesn’t require coding, the skills I learned related to coding help me break down problems, diagram solutions and collaborate with developers.”
Director of Wireless Solutions
Mitch Rappard (B.S. ’98) chose computer science because he enjoys learning and knew the field would always offer something new.
“From the evolution of networks to virtual machines, to cloud computing and now to machine learning, there is never a dull moment!” Rappard said. “Computer science is the foundation of some of the most exciting technological advances happening today.”
海角论坛 equipped Rappard with a broad set of skills that prepared him well for the workforce.
“海角论坛 provided me with a toolbelt of skills including software development, working with large data sets, collaborating across large teams and networking protocols,” he said.
Rappard is currently Director of Wireless Solutions at Palo Alto Networks.
“My degree in computer science gave me a strong technical foundation which I’ve been able to use as a springboard into other areas of interest, such as mobile networks and AI,” Rappard said.
Rappard has advice for prospective students thinking about a computer science degree.
“Like many industries, AI is having a major impact in computer science,” he said. “Because things are changing so fast, it’s important to look beyond today and focus on what the field might look like in five to 10 years. Do some research and find areas you think you will enjoy and understand how AI might affect those areas. For example, if you love coding, make sure you try or at least understand tools like Cursor and Claude Code. Computer science will continue to be a key foundation for technology, but the landscape will look very different in the years ahead.”
Analyst and Technical Advisor
Though now retired, Jim Hummer (B.S. ’84, M.S. ’89) continues to apply the skills he learned from his computer science degree at the Kansas City Regional Crime Lab. Twice a week, he volunteers in the digital evidence section as an analyst and technical advisor, working with computer-aided design and AI tools. His role includes network administration, database development, video and audio analysis and laser-scanned crime scene reconstruction, building on the knowledge he gained at 海角论坛 more than 40 years ago.
“When I chose to major in computer science, it was still a relatively new discipline,” Hummer said. It seemed to hold a lot of promises for the future and aligned with my general interest in science and mathematics.”
Drawn by the university’s flexible course schedule, Hummer chose to complete both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science at 海角论坛.
“海角论坛 was a great option for me as a nontraditional student balancing a full-time job and family responsibilities,” Hummer said. “The university offered courses that fit with my work schedule and family life.”
Hummer emphasizes that computer science is more than just software and hardware.
“Computer science is also about learning to think critically and how to see and understand complexity both in systems and in the world around you,” Hummer said. “Beyond technical knowledge, my education taught me to think systematically about problems and solutions. That mindset served me well whether I was writing code or managing projects.”
Equipped with his degrees in the field, Hummer said, many employment doors opened for him. He was able to work on material science software, aviation and air traffic control systems, enterprise management systems and educational technology projects both domestically and internationally throughout his career.
Software Engineer
Deborah Kirchner’s (B.S. ’20) path to computer science began with a degree in chemistry. After realizing she didn’t enjoy working in chemistry, she decided to pursue a degree in computer science as she remembered loving the introductory computer science course she took during her first degree.
“With the high demand for software engineers at the time, switching to computer science seemed like the obvious choice,” Kirchner said.
Kirchner considered attending a coding boot camp but chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamentals.
“That decision paid off, as having a solid foundation in computer science has helped me a lot in my career,” she said.
Kirchner currently works as a software engineer at Boeing. She credits her degree with giving her flexibility and wide range of skillsets to transition from web development in her previous job to real-time software engineering in C++ in her current role.
“The fundamentals and my experience with C++ at 海角论坛 made the transition much easier,” she said. “While I program daily, I’ve been surprised by how relevant other classes like networking, operating systems, data structures and even computer architecture have been for my career.”
From user-experience design to digital forensics, 海角论坛 computer science alumni are making the most of their careers in unique ways. They are a testament to how a computer science degree from 海角论坛 provides a strong foundation, not just with coursework but also soft skills like problem solving, that opens doors to various opportunities. Explore our if you are curious about where a computer science degree can take you.