Am I wasting my time?

[PAPASMIRF]

Didn't know where else to post this thread. I'll try to keep it short. I've been in construction most my life. At 55, I am no longer able to handle the physical aspects of this field or the stress of running projects with people who take no pride in there work or there word.

I have been playing with AutoCAD off and on for twelve years and really enjoy it.

Have been researching online courses to get a diploma in hopes of getting an entry level position and attempt to earn a career in this field.

I would like to know how many feel that I am wasting my time in thinking that anyone in the industry would hire me at 55.

Thanks for your time.

[JD Mather]

What part of the world are you in?

With a degree (and perhaps without one) you could probably get a job teaching CAD in a community college, but the tough part would be to find a full-time position rather than a part time position.

Your job search would have to be nation-wide. (so relocation would be likely)

A concern that I suspect would come up at interview is why you don't have contacts already, based on your construction industry experience?

Maybe the people here are the wrong ones to be addressing your question.

[PAPASMIRF]

Thanks for your reply JD.

I'm located in Grundy County TN. Any contacts I would have are in Florida and relocation is not an options.

The teaching angle is one I hadn't thought of, although teaching it and doing it are a bit different.

I posted this question here because there are a great deal of very intelligent people here who's opinions I greatly respect.

[tonyj]

Have you thought about free-lance?

[JD Mather]

Everyone I know who does free-lance work had extensive prior contacts before going this route.

[tonyj]

Everyone I know who does free-lance work had extensive prior contacts before going this route.

 

There's no doubt it would be a huge advantage, but it would not be beyond the realms of possibility to get something going, and build on that.

[Dadgad]

If, after 12 years of dabbling with Autocad you are still interested in it, then I would say

you are not wasting, nor have you wasted your time.

 

The software is ready to work 24/7, and on short notice, makes no excuses, doesn't drink, lie, steal nor expect overtime pay for shoddy work.

There is much to be said for consistency.

 

I was very fortunate to be offered a cad position by a friend at the age of 58, with no prior cad experience.

I studied online for a couple of weeks (http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/) is a very good place to start

for novices. You will likely know much that is taught on that site already, but it doesn't hurt to

go back to basics. I then took the entry level Autodesk instruction for cad privately in 2 days.

Went to work the next day, been learning every day, and loving it ever since.

 

There are lots of other links on the forum homepage for instruction, and links to good videos on this site as well.

Hit the virtual books, and get better at something you enjoy doing, no matter where it leads you.

You will be learning valuable skills and relieving stress at the same time.

Try to remain open to the fact that, this just might work out after all.

 

I particularly enjoy the limitless nature of the subject matter. There is always more to learn, for those who are instinctively inquisitive.

Edited May 12, 2013 by Dadgad

[PAPASMIRF]

Thanks for the positive response Dadgad. I like the way you think. You were indeed lucky to be offered a cad position at that age, especially with no experience.

I can only hope to get that lucky, but if not, I don't mind crawling and clawing my way there either.

I am looking into getting a diploma from TTC but Have to find a way to cover the $ that the grant won't.

You can't even get an entry level position without at least that. Free-lance is definitely another avenue of possibility.

Your right about the stress relief. When things get a little too crazy, I come in and draw.

Even after twelve years, I am still amazed at all you can do with this software.

I remain positive and hopeful. Thanks for the link.

[Dadgad]

After many years of carpentry and steel fabrication I too really enjoy the precision of the software.

I've done high end cabinet work and designed and built a lot of weldings jigs, I really like that after you draw something, and turn off

the computer, your drawing stays just as you drew it, unlike a welded steel joint moving around as it cools.

All of your previous experience in construction adds to your overall marketability.

That which you lack in CAD experience may be ameliorated by other skills which you bring to the game.

Have you done any 3D modeling?

[Organic]

Just go for it and try to get a job based upon connections and people you have worked with previously. Formal education is not essential.

[Bill Tillman]

Papasmirf,

 

Let me answer your main question first. "No." You are not wasting your time. The physical demands of the construction industry are not for people like us approaching our sunset years. Learning AutoCAD is easier and quicker than most people think. And with the Internet I would say that if one applies themselves, reading tutorials and participating in forums like this you can be ready for an industry job in less than 6 months, or less. And there are jobs out there, but don't expect to be paid what a union ironworker or plumber would be paid. But if you find the right niche, it can work out well.

 

As for the travel part of it, you may have to open yourself up for that part of it. Maybe not a complete relocation but setting up work with a client where you could work from your home. Again, it all depends on what you can offer someone who is willing to pay for your services. Which in the end, is no different than it was when we were young, dumb, full of .....!

[Bill Tillman]

...With a degree (and perhaps without one) you could probably get a job teaching ... A concern that I suspect would come up at interview is why you don't have contacts already, based on your construction industry experience?

 

JD, you are indeed one of the most respected people in this forum. Always offering seasoned advice and opinions. But may I soften the repsonse above with a dose of reality. The world is changing and there is nothing any of us can do about it. Some of the changes will be great, like the demands for college degrees are starting to come more in line with reality. In my career I've seen people with letters after their names be the biggest screw ups while someone with a high school diploma shines in their field. It is a refreshing change to see people wake up to the fact that a piece of paper doesn't make one a valuable asset. And what's worse about this, at least in the US is that so many of our talented young people come out of these universities and trade schools saddled with debt beyond their means. Just yesterday I heard a news story about how colleges and trade schools are having to re-examine their pricing because people just can't afford it anymore. Supply and demand...the way our free market is supposed to work.

 

And as we all are getting older, it's a matter of continuing education that counts. I mean I got my degree in 1979. And the stuff we learned back then is now obselete and dated. And sadly, as guys like me find, many of the contacts I had have retired, moved on to become Tibetian monks, or have passed on to that great big job site in the sky. And industry will waste talent and experience by discriminating against someone just because they don't have a piece of paper or relative contacts. Like I said, times, they be a changing.

[Organic]

And what's worse about this, at least in the US is that so many of our talented young people come out of these universities and trade schools saddled with debt beyond their means. Just yesterday I heard a news story about how colleges and trade schools are having to re-examine their pricing because people just can't afford it anymore.

 

I don't know how anyone can afford to go to college in the US. My entire 4 year degree in a developed country whose institutions are on par with most US institutions (excluding MIT, Yale and the absolute best ones in the world etc) cost me less than 25K of which it was an interest free loan from the government.

[PAPASMIRF]

I hope your right about those changes Bill. My wife has been doing general finance since she was in her twenties and given three minutes can create a spread sheet that will formulate the number of licks it takes to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop. she has had her share of watching a child with a degree, who couldn't find her ..s with a street light and a road map get a better deal. I left the construction field in florida and started doing home inspections in GA. Nobody took you seriously if you didn't belong to ASHI, which don't get me wrong, is a great organization and does a great job of separating the crystal from the plastic, but I have been in the industry for twenty years and have built everything from out houses to condos on the beach and have learned through countless inspections what is and is not going to pass when it come to building systems. I did not feel That I should need ASHI after my name to make me legit.

Dadgad, I have a GED and a year of college in business law and I still had to go to my dictionary. "Ameliorated" Really?!

[JD Mather]

... But may I soften the repsonse above with a dose of reality.....

 

The quote you cite referenced getting a job teaching in (snipped) a community college.

There are part-time CAD teaching positions in community colleges that don't require degrees (as I mentioned - some of these are able to convert into full-time, I failed to mention), but show me a advertisement for a full time CAD teaching position in a community college that doesn't require at least a BS and probably an MS. There is a tremendous competition for these spots as full-time slots are very rare. The OP's real world background should help (I've seen a lot of teachers with PhDs who can't teach. I am all about reality. We are talking about this person's future. Rosey glasses will not start a new career path.

[PAPASMIRF]

I appreciate all of your responses. You gave me a couple ideas I had not thought of, which will help me look at the situation from a more balanced perspective.

[Kat]

I think getting an associates degree would probably be a good route to go. Although, with 12 years of experience with the program, you might just need a couple refresher courses. I have found that half the battle of becoming a professional drafter was just getting used to the construction industry. So, going into it with a lifetime of experience in the construction industry might give you an edge over other candidates. I find different drafting / AutoCAD jobs in the classified ads online, on Linkedin, and in the paper all the time! I'd do a couple searches in your area. There are so many different types of drafting jobs; architectural, mechanical, structural, etc. If you don't mind switching to a different part of the construction industry, I'd say you have a great chance of landing a "new" career. =) I hope this helps.

[PAPASMIRF]

Thanks for the input Kat. I agree that having an associates degree would open more doors for me than just a diploma. The only thing stopping me is finding the $ that the grant won't cover. Things are kinda tight right know. I'm Working in AutoCAD 2010 right now. Bought the Essentials book (Autodesk Official Training Guide). wondering if I should hone my skills in this or try to find a three year license for 2013 and start getting serious in that.

Don't learn as fast with a book as I do with videos. Would like to find a really comprehensive video package for 2010 or 2013.

And yes, every little bit helps. Thanks.