Dr. Arroyo and Dr. Schwartz:<br><br>

You probably don't remember me but I was a student in your EEL 3701, 4744
and Digital Design classes in 1997 and 1998.  I was an average (gradewise)
student who at the time just wanted to get through your classes and had no
intention of pursuing a career in digital logic and it's for sure I did not
want to use Logic Works after a graduation! ;-)  Little did I know what the
future held for me!
<br><br>
After graduation in 1998 I started work at Lucent Technologies in Cary,
North Carolina.  I did very well there as a software tester and slowly got
into some of the system administration work for their computer lab.  I was a
"software" guy, NOT a hardware guy.  Several months ago, Cisco Systems got a
copy of my resume and called me in for an interview for a software tester
position with them.  While interviewing, they were asking about some of my
classes in college and I told them I had taken a few digital logic classes
and had used Logic Works etc.  This was all said in passing but they picked
up on the digital logic skills and my system admin skills from Lucent and
asked if I'd be interested in a Hardware Engineering position helping to
support logic design tools and learn how to use the tools as I go along.
<br><br>
I was hesitant at first, but Cisco performed some "fuzzy math" on their
initial offer to me plus offered me stock options along with their
incredible benefit package; all in all it was a package I could not turn
down.  I'm now a Hardware Engineer and I'm learning more of the digital
logic working with ASIC design, using many of the industries top tools such
as Verisity's Specman, Synopsys SmartModel, Cadence Design and a variety of
other tools which I haven't had a chance to learn yet, but will in time.
<br><br>
I guess my point is, you guys were right! :-)  Big companies do pick up on
UFs amazing engineering program and because of my schooling background in
digital design, I got an opportunity to do something incredible with an
amazing company.  And although I never dreamed I'd be a "hardware" engineer,
I'm finding this new career path extremely enjoyable.  I was applying for a
job as a software tester but because of your class background I got and
offer for an incredible job!  Thank you!
<br><br>
Sincerely,
<br><br>
A former student.
CEE 1998