Some Advice on Strarting out on a Career in CAD

[Meant-L]

Hi Guys

 

Just wanted to see if i could get some information from you about how to get started on the way to a career as a CAD technician.

 

Basically to give you guys some background information I am currently 24 and until recently didnt have much of an idea what i wanted to do long term career wise.

 

I am from the Uk and a a couple of years back i read about becoming a CADtechnicican on the internet and it appealled to me.

 

After some more research i enrolled in a night course at college and gained certification in Level 2 2D computer aided design from City and Guilds.

 

I am now keen to continue learning about CAD and how to become a CAD technician.

 

Basically at the moment i am just researching on the internet further courses in CAD and came across this website. I wanted to just see if any of you could offer any advice on the best way to proceed, perhaps sharing some of your own experiences on how i should proceed to get into this inductry and what the work is actually like.

 

I realise i am somewaht older than many people might go down this route do you think this will be a problem?

 

Thank you for any advice you may be able to offer.

[BOB'27T]

I basically started out the same way myself. I took night classes and I found a firm that wanted a newbie out of school. Don't think that you're too old, I started when I was 35. Definitely use this site for help, as it has taught me many things!

[Tiger]

I really have no advice to give, there are plenty of UK-ians here that'ss most likely come along and offer all kinds of advice, I just have one thing to say:

 

24 is "somewhat older"?? You have one CAD course under your belt, I'm assuming you have some other education there as well? Then no, being only 24 is not a problem.

[hotrodz0321]

you can do a search for jobs available in your area just to see what is out there.....

 

you'll need to do some research and see what field you want to get into (architecture, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical, etc)

[Meant-L]

Thanks for the replies so far.

 

Yes I was in school until 18 and then went to University though it wasnt really for me and left.

[NoelStalker]

Meant-L my only advise would be to stay away from the automotive industry. At least that would be my advise if you were here in the U.S. I don't know what the market is like over there in the U.K. but it is pretty volatile here. As far as choosing a career in CAD, I say go for it because it is fun and rewarding.

[lulumara]

Your so young at 24 you have a lot's of oppotunity try to learn more on any fields(Mechanical,Arch., Structural, Piping and etc.) to gain more experience. That's the goal experience after 2 to 3 yrs , you can bet companies gonna call you. i had a co-employee working as Cad he's 60 plus still working the only thing he doesn't really polish his cad . But still striving to gain more experience.

[design-engine]

I started out using AutoCAD in 1985 at Siemens in Tucker GA... I just got on the system and would not get up to let others down. I set mapkeys in my acad lisp file and never looked back. Now I run a design school in Chicago but I owe it alll to AutoCAD. We used 9 1/2" floppy to load the software BTW

[Meant-L]

Thanks for the advice guys. Will see if i can get onto another course to learn CAD at a higher level. At the momen i think i would be more interested in Architectural 3D design but will have to see how it goes as i progress.

[manhattan]

my advice would be to get stuck into the profession. dont get too hung up on gaining qualifications since the main thing which will hold you back at the moment is lack of experience. Try to find somewhere which want entry level technicians (even if its not precisely the field you want to work in, but close enough) once you have a year - 18 months experience under your belt your employment opportunities will greatly increase. sticking in an unrelated job and spending another year doing a course is not usually the best way to develop your career

[Meant-L]

my advice would be to get stuck into the profession. dont get too hung up on gaining qualifications since the main thing which will hold you back at the moment is lack of experience. Try to find somewhere which want entry level technicians (even if its not precisely the field you want to work in, but close enough) once you have a year - 18 months experience under your belt your employment opportunities will greatly increase. sticking in an unrelated job and spending another year doing a course is not usually the best way to develop your career

 

Thanks very much for the advice manhattan I will definately look into this to see if i can find anything.

[Noahma]

Thanks for the advice guys. Will see if i can get onto another course to learn CAD at a higher level. At the momen i think i would be more interested in Architectural 3D design but will have to see how it goes as i progress.

 

for the Architecture stuff, my best advice is to learn construction techniques used in your area, get a copy of your local codes, and get a few plan books from the store. Learn as much as you possibly can about architecture in general. There are several sub-categories within Architecture, and they are vastly different from each other. Residential design, Commercial design, and industrial design. They all have different codes, and different work flows. I personally do Residential Design. It is an extremely rewarding career, although very volatile at the moment. Knowledge along with a good portfolio will help you anywhere you go. Look into learning Auto cad Architecture and Revit, both will get you in the door in a firm that is implementing or has implemented the BIM design process. (building information modeling) although there are a few other BIM programs out there, the two mentioned are the big dogs. 24 is not too old to get in the field ;p have fun

[Meant-L]

for the Architecture stuff, my best advice is to learn construction techniques used in your area, get a copy of your local codes, and get a few plan books from the store. Learn as much as you possibly can about architecture in general. There are several sub-categories within Architecture, and they are vastly different from each other. Residential design, Commercial design, and industrial design. They all have different codes, and different work flows. I personally do Residential Design. It is an extremely rewarding career, although very volatile at the moment. Knowledge along with a good portfolio will help you anywhere you go. Look into learning Auto cad Architecture and Revit, both will get you in the door in a firm that is implementing or has implemented the BIM design process. (building information modeling) although there are a few other BIM programs out there, the two mentioned are the big dogs. 24 is not too old to get in the field ;p have fun

 

Thanks Noahma, thats really good practical advice, i appreciate it.

[Ritch7]

Hi Meant-L

 

I'm 19 and have gained the level 2 2D C & G you mentioned as well as the level 3 and 4, To show you how I started; when I was 16 I left school went to college to study mechanical engineering for a year got employed within an offshore based Petroleum company and was too intrested in cad and luckily managed to progress through all the city and guilds qualfications in AutoCAD, and am now looking to train in some 3-D , I think you being 24 is a great start, It is no way what so ever to old, not at all if you put your mind to it AND as long as you are intrested in the subject at hand your possibilities in a career with AutoCAD are endless.

 

Get cracking on the Level 3 City And Guilds Course!

 

Best of luck in the future.

[Meant-L]

Hi Meant-L

 

I'm 19 and have gained the level 2 2D C & G you mentioned as well as the level 3 and 4, To show you how I started; when I was 16 I left school went to college to study mechanical engineering for a year got employed within an offshore based Petroleum company and was too intrested in cad and luckily managed to progress through all the city and guilds qualfications in AutoCAD, and am now looking to train in some 3-D , I think you being 24 is a great start, It is no way what so ever to old, not at all if you put your mind to it AND as long as you are intrested in the subject at hand your possibilities in a career with AutoCAD are endless.

 

Get cracking on the Level 3 City And Guilds Course!

 

Best of luck in the future.

 

Thanks for the advice, I have been looking into this.