October 31, 2014

Dear Sir,

I submit the following with the intent of offering encouragement to the many persons, like me, who did not complete their formal education. I suspect that the majority of these persons would like to achieve advancement in their present work endeavour to improve their present professional and social status.

I was not a good student at Berkeley Institute during the two years that I attended, and I can assure you that if former teachers and fellow students read this they will be surprised at my attainment.

The advantage that you have today is the vast amount of information available through the computer. Add to that, relevant text books that can be found in a library or book store, you will discover information that will give you the knowledge that will prepare you for advancement in your chosen field of endeavour. Preparation for the future is very important if you want to succeed, I am a firm believer that one should not remain static while waiting for a door to open, one should assist in the opening themselves by preparing for the challenges and opportunities that are on the other side of the proverbial door.

I suggest that you set aside a few hours each month and study text books and other publications that address your professional interest.

In 1957, I began my study and continued while working as a surveyor in Bermuda and the US, and a surveyor and highway designer in the US. In 1970, I was judged by the State of Pennsylvania to have completed eight years of acceptable engineering experience, supervised and attested to by a professional engineer, and I was allowed to sit for the exam for professional civil engineer. I passed the 16-hour exam in 1970 and have been awarded a licence as a professional civil engineer in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia.

A synopsis of my professional life between 1957 and 2007 follows and indicates what can be accomplished even if one elects a non traditional path early in life.

• Surveyor during the reconstruction of the Kindley Air Field runways and tarmacs.

• Surveyor during the construction of the Project Mercury Tracking Station, Cooper’s Island.

• Surveyor for highway design of highways in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

• Project engineer for the design of highways in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New Jersey.

• Deputy project manager during the design and early construction of the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

• Project engineer track during the design of a Light Rail System in Buffalo, New York.

• Project manager during the design of a light/heavy rail system in Caracas, Venezuela.

• Established a private practice performing infrastructure on various projects including airports, residential and commercial projects. I maintained this private practice, named Pembroke Associates, for 15 years and retired in 2007.

I trust that this letter will encourage those who have not planned a path to recognise that success can be in your future with some planning and self improvement. It worked for me and it can work for you.

CHARLES NEARON

Pennsylvania, USA