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CAD Software Training Opens Multiple Career Opportunities in Architectural Drafting

With a background consisting of just a few college courses and a long history of playing with model cars as a teenager, Duane Martinez has landed a successful, fulfilling career as a model maker. He was recently profiled in the Occupational Outlook Quarterly for his unique occupation. Designers consult Martinez with ideas sketched on sometimes only a napkin, and he proceeds to make a three-dimensional foam model with the assistance of Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.1

What is the Function of an Architectural Drafter?

Becoming a model maker is just one creative use of an Associate's Degree in Architectural Drafting. An architectural drafter serves as the link between designer and final product. In short, an architectural drafter is responsible for making accurate drawings and plans.2

Auto CAD software has revolutionized the field of drafting. An architect creates drawings of blueprints, but a drafter with Auto CAD training fills in the fine details that the construction crew requires to make a solid structure. The pervasiveness of this widely used program can be seen simply through the numerous results that appear on the screen after typing “auto cad download free software” into any search engine.3

Potential Jobs as an Architectural Drafter

Many graduates with an Associate's Degree in Architectural Drafting choose to work for an architectural or engineering firm doing drafting detailing. A professional with an Associate's Degree in Architectural Drafting may also find Auto-CAD jobs in contracting, subcontracting, and materials supply. Numerous construction-related industries provide still more job opportunities for a professional with extensive Auto CAD training.4

Educational Requirements for Architectural Drafters

Although Martinez never completed an official architectural drafting degree, an Associate's Degree in Architectural Drafting can be a way to jumpstart a career and get a foot in the door at prospective places of employment. Westwood College, with its numerous locations around the nation, is just one of the modern programs students are choosing to attend while receiving their necessary training. Programs similar to the Associate's Degree in Architectural Drafting at Westwood College give students hands-on experience with the newest version of Auto CAD software and are taught by professors with real-world industry experience.4

Where to Find More Information

Students may contact Westwood College for additional information about an Associate's Degree in Architectural Drafting. Westwood College boasts that its students are prepared to work as architectural CAD technicians, engineering CAD technicians, architectural draftspersons, and engineering draftspersons immediately upon graduation.4 Students may find one of these positions to be the perfect entrance into the architectural drafting industry, or they may come up with creative ideas of their own like Martinez's model making.


References:
1. Crosby, Olivia. (Spring 2005). You're a What? Model Maker, Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Spring 2005. Retrieved September 14, 2006, from http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2005/spring/yawhat.htm.
2. Crosby, Olivia. (2002 – 2003). Associate Degree: Two years to a career or a jumpstart to a bachelor's degree, Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Winter 2002 – 2003. Retrieved September 14, 2006, from http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2002/winter/art01.pdf.
3. Wikipedia. (last modified September 14, 2006). Computer-aided design. Retrieved September 15, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_aided_design.
4. Dynasty Education. (2006). Associate Degree - CAD - Architectural Drafting. Retrieved September 15, 2006, from http://www.dynastyeducation.com/schoolresults.html? category_id=6&subcategory_id=61.

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