Become a Drafter
For a hot career in the engineering field, look no further than the Drafting industry. Drafting is a unique mixture of math and art that you won't find in any other career field. Drafting schools are accepting determined students who want a serious career.
What is Drafting?
Drafting is the process of using computers to create plans and blueprints for a variety of products and structures. As a drafting professional, you will use mathematical and engineering principles to plan construction stages. Traditional Drafting professionals drew everything by hand. But Drafting in the Internet age allows you to use the latest cutting edge software to work smarter and increase your productivity. This is the perfect career field for candidates with a technology background.
Opportunities in the Drafting Field
Drafting professionals will see a welcomed rise in employment opportunities in the coming decade. As cities and towns continue to grow, the need for new structures for living, working, and playing will give graduates of Drafting schools opportunities to create. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that "industrial growth and increasingly complex design problems associated with new products and manufacturing processes will increase the demand for drafting services."
Desired Skills for Drafting Professionals
- Analytical Mind. To be a success in the Drafting field, you'll need to develop your mathematical abilities to their fullest potential.
- Technology Able. The latest computer assisted Drafting equipment requires a firm grasp of basic computer and technological principles.
- Vision and Creativity. Successful professionals in this field can see the project in their minds before putting it down on the screen.
The Road to a Career in Drafting
Drafting degrees are conferred to graduates from both traditional colleges and technical schools. Technical schools are usually a quicker and more affordable route to your credentials. But both sources offer a solid education in this growing field.
Drafting and CADD Degrees and Schools
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What They Offer: Associate degree in CAD/Architectural Drafting What You Learn: Design and drafting using recent releases of AutoCAD, with a focus on architectural and 3D drafting. The program also provides training on the theory behind architectural design, with courses like applied mathematics. The Buzz: Students can take advantage of individual drafting workstations in the school's Drafting Laboratory. |
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What They Offer: Associate degree in Drafting Technology What You Learn: Mechanical and Architectural drafting techniques, symbols, and nomenclature, along with AutoCAD. Students also learn technical writing and technical math. Need to Know: Earn your degree with 21 months of day classes, or 27 months of evening classes. |
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What They Offer: Certificates in AutoCAD Drafting & Design, CNC Programming and MasterCAM, and SolidWorks & Solid Modeling Designer What You Get: CDM Institute is an authorized AutoDesk training center, offering programs that last between 80 and 500 hours. The Buzz: Upon graduation, students get AutoDesk certification. |
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What They Offer: Associate degree in Computer Drafting and Design What You Learn: CAD and drafting techniques for architectural, civil, electronic, and mechanical drafting. Speed and accuracy is emphasized. |
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What They Offer: Associate degree in Drafting and Design Technology. What You Learn: Civil, Mechanical and Architectural Drafting techniques using AutoCAD. Students learn drafting standards and residential and commercial construction drafting. |
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What They Offer: Associate degree in Mechanical or Architectural Drafting and Design with CAD Technology What You Learn: The program begins with an introduction to the traditional skills used at the drafting table, and proceed to computerized drafting techniques. Need to Know: In the Architectural program, students learn about designing residential and commercial buildings. In the Mechanical program, students learn 3D design, along with piping and gears. |
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What They Offer: Associate degree in Computer Aided Drafting What You Learn: With foundation courses built on AutoCAD and MicroStation, students can choose from a mechanical drafting emphasis, where they learn kinematics and assembly drafting, or an architectural design emphasis, where they learn about building materials and structural and commercial drafting. Need to Know: Both emphasis areas include internships. The Buzz: The school's annual CAD week features students working on projects including gravity powered vehicles, designing a hovercraft, or building a bridge that will carry 150 pounds out of 8 sticks of balsa wood. |
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What They Offer: Architectural, Civil or Mechanical Computer Aided Design Associate degrees What You Learn: Design methods and computer aided drafting techniques used for residential and commercial construction in the architectural program, or mechanical systems and machine tools in the mechanical program. Need to Know: Programs are offered with a choice of day or evening classes. |
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What They Offer: Associate degree in Computer Aided Drafting & Design What You Learn: how to create technical drawings using traditional drafting techniques and CAD software. While the program's main focus is architectural drafting, students gain some knowledge of civil and mechanical drafting techniques. Need to Know: The school's curriculum is certified by the American Design Drafting Association at the Drafter Level. |
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What They Offer: Diploma in Drafting with AutoCAD What You Learn: Mechanical drafting skills, followed by the use of AutoCAD. Includes HVAC and structural drafting, electrical and electronic schematics, and civil drafting. Need to Know: This home study program consists of 10 modules. You study at your own pace. |
