CAD degree?
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
CAD degree?
Has anybody here have a degree in computer aided drafting? Ever since I transferred 2 years of my gi bill to my son, I have been debating what to do with the other two years I still have. I was once interred in mechanical engineering, but not too keen on doing for intense years instead of two, and while it would be nice to use my gi bill towards getting the commercial rating on my pilot lisence, it not only doesn't cover everything but a fresh commercial pilot doesn't make squat. But I have been thinking ac not the cad because it wouldn't take long to get, I enjoy drawing up ideas, and I like using sketch up on my personal computer. Plus it would allow me to provide a little bit better for my family (not that my current job working for the county is bad or anything). But I am looking for advice and suggestions as usual.g
I might also mention that I already have an AAS in auto technology, army training in in"specialty electronics" along with many years working in manufacturing (steel) and trucking.
I might also mention that I already have an AAS in auto technology, army training in in"specialty electronics" along with many years working in manufacturing (steel) and trucking.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
I really don't know, but you might try searching places like monster.com to see what kinds of jobs are out there.
Not only that, you can read the descriptions to see what they're looking for.
(Yes, they'll pretty much all want 20 years experience, but see what they say about educational requirements).
I am afraid that a lot of the jobs might require you to actually have the skills to design parts as well as draw them, but I don't know that.
You might also ask any potential schools about how well they do with placements.
Good Luck,
hj
Not only that, you can read the descriptions to see what they're looking for.
(Yes, they'll pretty much all want 20 years experience, but see what they say about educational requirements).
I am afraid that a lot of the jobs might require you to actually have the skills to design parts as well as draw them, but I don't know that.
You might also ask any potential schools about how well they do with placements.
Good Luck,
hj
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 26
I'm doing a gen tech degree with a major in machine tool technology and a minor in CAD.
That covers both bases and you can qualify, especially with your background, for a variety of jobs. I'm mostly taking the courses for pleasure, but want the Associates degree so I can use lottery money along with the G.I. Bill.
Old machinists are retiring, and many still active don't know CNC or CAD. The most versatile guys stay on when others are layed off. It's also good background if you might want to be a millwright.
Many job shop outfits can't afford a full time CAD guy and need employees who can go from machining to CAD to welding or electronic assembly. If a machine in the shop breaks they need to get it fixed in-house if possible.
That covers both bases and you can qualify, especially with your background, for a variety of jobs. I'm mostly taking the courses for pleasure, but want the Associates degree so I can use lottery money along with the G.I. Bill.
Old machinists are retiring, and many still active don't know CNC or CAD. The most versatile guys stay on when others are layed off. It's also good background if you might want to be a millwright.
Many job shop outfits can't afford a full time CAD guy and need employees who can go from machining to CAD to welding or electronic assembly. If a machine in the shop breaks they need to get it fixed in-house if possible.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 8
From: Southern Oregon Coast
My mother was a CAD drafter for the DOE before she retired. She just sat around and drew up fire alarm system diagrams and whatnot and made good money doing it... All she had was an associate's degree...
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
I'm wondering if equipped with a suitable computer and all the peripherals could a guy be an off-site consultant for hire?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 26
Perhaps, but in job shops it is often necessary to make CAD drawings from parts which are delivered to the shop, and those drawings may need to be modified if the first part doesn't work out.
"Help, here's my wreckage! We need a modified veeblefitzer with reinforced flanges and a finned toroidal cooler!"
The CAD person may then be needed to import the file into CAM software, plot tool paths, etc. If you have someone who can do the CAM end of it they likely can do sufficient CAD to get by.
Speed is of the essence because production machinery can't be left idle.
"Help, here's my wreckage! We need a modified veeblefitzer with reinforced flanges and a finned toroidal cooler!"
The CAD person may then be needed to import the file into CAM software, plot tool paths, etc. If you have someone who can do the CAM end of it they likely can do sufficient CAD to get by.
Speed is of the essence because production machinery can't be left idle.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
You should be able to have a degree that does CAD with just the 2 year Associate's. I know the local community college does just that. There are jobs that pay around $25/hour around here. You don't have to design the parts, the design engineers do that, but you do need to interpret the blueprints or drawings that they come up with.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
I kinda put off a reply to try to roll some thoughts around.
it is the local community college that has the classes, as a 2 year associates (and I would be interested in the mechanical discipline), Engineering / CAD and monkeywrench, the degree includes a CNC milling lab, which is cool. I have always kicked myself because I left a job right before they were going to "supposedly" start teaching me some machining, however it really was that bad of a job.
I have also though about adding on a certificate in Green/Sustainable BuildingBuilding/Construction Site Management: Green/Sustainable Building because renewable energies is a big deal in Colorado and it is something that I am interested in.
I don't want to get too far from the shop environment, but I don't really want to be the guy that the guys in the shop don't like being around either. so I would like to try to find a decent balance between the two.
and yeah, as is my job with the county pays around 32k, and the average new CAD drafter makes mid 40's and has alot more room to make more.
plus its as close as I can get to the mechanical engineering without spending 4 years in college.
it is the local community college that has the classes, as a 2 year associates (and I would be interested in the mechanical discipline), Engineering / CAD and monkeywrench, the degree includes a CNC milling lab, which is cool. I have always kicked myself because I left a job right before they were going to "supposedly" start teaching me some machining, however it really was that bad of a job.
I have also though about adding on a certificate in Green/Sustainable BuildingBuilding/Construction Site Management: Green/Sustainable Building because renewable energies is a big deal in Colorado and it is something that I am interested in.
I don't want to get too far from the shop environment, but I don't really want to be the guy that the guys in the shop don't like being around either. so I would like to try to find a decent balance between the two.
and yeah, as is my job with the county pays around 32k, and the average new CAD drafter makes mid 40's and has alot more room to make more.
plus its as close as I can get to the mechanical engineering without spending 4 years in college.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
If you have been out of school for long, the "4 year degree" easily turns into 6...
There are some jobs that work direct with customers to take their ideas and turn them into floor plans on a CAD drawing as well. One particular area of companies deals with just the facility as well. We have gone to a department dedicated to getting accurate layouts of the buildings, and then they are in charge of any changes to the buildings themselves. If it is attached, it is part of facilties responsibility.
A/c techs can also make good money, and is something you can turn into a personal business if you wanted to.
There are some jobs that work direct with customers to take their ideas and turn them into floor plans on a CAD drawing as well. One particular area of companies deals with just the facility as well. We have gone to a department dedicated to getting accurate layouts of the buildings, and then they are in charge of any changes to the buildings themselves. If it is attached, it is part of facilties responsibility.
A/c techs can also make good money, and is something you can turn into a personal business if you wanted to.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Home A/C and heating are very much industries that are almost always as busy as they want or need to be. A one or two-man operation can do very well for themselves, the skills are portable as are most of the tools etc. A good career path if that's something even partially interesting.
However since your bend seems to be in the CAD/CAM areas that program would be a good way to go. In today's work place the 2 year degree would be more than adequate. From what I hear on the national evening news there are a lot of jobs available for those well experienced or educated in that field and it's not going to become obsolete or outmoded anytime soon.
Good luck with the pursuit!
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 724
Likes: 2
From: Ventura CA
About 30 years ago I went to a trade school and learned CAD. This was back when a 10 meg hard drive was state of the art (the wood burning computer days). Since I was a starving artist, I figured drafting was a logical path to take. I was working at a landfill recycling center weighing cans and stacking newspaper bundles. As a member of the union, I was entitled to an apprenticeship position in any department of the organization. I developed a Civil Engineering Tech position proposal that was ultimately accepted. I retired in November 2011 after 27 years, 3 months and 10 days. I'm now living where I've always wanted to live and doing whatever I want. It worked out well for me. Perhaps it will for you. Good luck.-DG
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 26
it is the local community college that has the classes, as a 2 year associates (and I would be interested in the mechanical discipline), Engineering / CAD and monkeywrench, the degree includes a CNC milling lab, which is cool. I have always kicked myself because I left a job right before they were going to "supposedly" start teaching me some machining, however it really was that bad of a job.
Community colleges are often short-staffed, so I volunteer to help out doing what I'm good at which in this case was repairing manual machine tools and doing periodic maintenance. (There isn't much to a manual lathe or mill if you've spent many years as a mechanic.) Usually good for extra credit or more lab time, and highly satisfying.
The natural ulterior motive for getting familiar with manual lathes and mills is knowing what to inspect when you hunt for used equipment. As with trucks, doing your homework can save you stoopid bank.
Go for it. I'm having large fun learning.
Have some reading material. Practical Machinist is to machining what FTE is to Ford trucks:
Practical Machinist - Largest Manufacturing Technology Forum on the Web
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
well guys, I start school tomorrow. i missed the deadline to use my GI bill, so without the monthly stripend im just taking evening classes this semester. works out though because my seasonal job with the county last through the end of the year. I figure next semester i'll find a part time job spinning wrenches or selling parts or something.
I also got to thinking, and I think im going to grab a business management certificate on top of it as well, just to assist me in climbing the ranks in the future.
I also got to thinking, and I think im going to grab a business management certificate on top of it as well, just to assist me in climbing the ranks in the future.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
the plan was to use the post-9/11 gi bill, but i missed the cut-off date to apply for benefits. right now i'm on regular financial aid, but it isn't a big deal since im only taking two classes and am going to finish out my seasonal position with the county through the end of the year.