Dean Laura J.

Steinburg Syracuse University College of Engineering and Computer Science 227 Link Hall Syracuse, NY 13210 February 10th, 2014 Dear Dean Steinburg: During my time at Syracuse University, I have been fortunate enough to have had three internships with three different nationally recognized engineering firms. I am pleased to tell you that the skills I have learned in engineering have prepared me well for the workplace. However, all of my internships required heavy use of AutoCAD and Civil 3D. In ECS 101, I was taught the basic tools to operate these programs, but the instruction wasnt advanced enough for me to apply it to level required by my supervisors. I believe offering an advanced class in AutoCAD and Civil 3D as a technical elective would be extremely beneficial to the civil engineering students would reflect highly on the reputation of Syracuses L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science. The first question I am always asked during an interview is How are your AutoCAD skills? Fortunately for me, my prior internships have bettered my skills, but without the working experience, I would be hesitant to say that I was strong in my CAD skills. Requirements of the internships required building corridors, producing storm water flow diagrams, and creating profile elevations. A strong knowledge of AutoCAD would certainly help to improve upon the essential skills needed to perform the three prior applications. I would love to sit down with you to discuss potential opportunities for offering an advanced AutoCAD class to our engineering students. It would be an enhancement of the fine education already received at the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science and would produce many highly noted ambassadors of Syracuse University. I can be contacted at gcsmithi@syr.edu. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely,

Gerald C. Smith