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Q + a
What are some career paths in this field?
What do drafters earn?
What are the job prospects for this field?
Should I pursue a degree or a certificate?
Which field of A&E CAD should I choose?
What if I can't get the courses I need?
What about the required math class?
Can I transfer to a 4 year university and apply my A&E CAD degree to a Bachelor's degree program?
Will the A&E CAD department help me find a job?
What do employers look for in a student applicant?
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What are some career paths in this field? |
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Architectural drafters work with architects and designers in the preparation of drawings necessary to build a structure. Study of construction techniques and materials, as well as building codes are important to the education of an architectural drafter. Architectural drafters may specialize in an area such as residential architecture (homes), commercial architecture (buildings and apartments), or structural drafting (steel buildings, concrete structures).
Mechanical drafters work with mechanical engineers and designers to prepare detail and assembly drawings of a wide variety of machinery and mechanical devices. They may be involved in specifying design elements such as the types of fasteners (nuts, bolts, screws) needed to assemble the machine. Mechanical drafters are usually trained in engineering techniques as well as manufacturing theory and standards.
Aeronautical or Aerospace drafters prepare engineering drawings detailing plans and specifications used in the manufacture of aircraft, missiles, and related parts.
Civil drafters prepare drawings and topographical and relief maps for construction or civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, pipelines, flood control projects, and water and sewage systems. Civil drafters may also work for Surveying companies creating site plans and layouts for new subdivisions.
Electrical drafters prepare wiring and layout diagrams used by workers who install and repair electrical equipment and wiring in electrical distribution systems, and buildings.
Electronics drafters draw wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, schematics, and layout drawings used in the manufacture, installation, and repair of electronic devices and components.
Process piping or pipeline drafters prepare drawings used in the layout, construction, and operation of oil and gas fields, refineries, chemical plants, and process piping systems. |
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What do drafters earn ? |
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According to the US Department of Labor, drafters' earnings vary by specialty, location, and level of responsibility.
- Median* annual earnings of architectural and civil drafters were $41,960 in May 2006.
- Median annual earnings of mechanical drafters were $43,700 in May 2006.
- Median annual earnings of electrical and electronics drafters were $46,830 in May 2006.
- In architectural, engineering, and related services, median annual earnings for electrical and electronics drafters were $44,140.
*The median is the middle of a distribution: half the salaries are above the median and half are below the median. |
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What are the job prospects for this field? |
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According to the US Department of Labor, drafters held about 253,000 jobs in 2006.
Architectural and civil drafters held 46% of all jobs for drafters. Mechanical drafters held about 31% of all drafting jobs. Electrical and electronics drafters held about 14% of all drafting jobs.
About half of all jobs for drafters were in architectural, engineering, and related services firms that design construction projects or do other engineering work on a contract basis for other industries. A quarter of jobs were in manufacturing industries. Most of the rest were employed in construction, government, wholesale trade, utilities, and employment services.
Approximately 5 percent were self-employed in 2006. Virtual commuting (working from home while connected to an employer via the internet) is growing in popularity, allowing drafters to live in one part of the country and work for an employer based in another area.
In Texas: through 2012, it is projected that CAD related jobs will increase by about 6%.
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Should I pursue a degree or certificate? |
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A&E CAD Certificate programs are intended for students who are trying to obtain an entry-level job as quickly as possible or who already have a degree in another area. The degree, however, may qualify you for a higher-level job. Our recommendation: If you don't have a degree, get one. You can probably plan your classes in such a way that you can receive your certificate in A&E CAD while working toward your degree—this may give you employment opportunities even before you graduate. We offer evening and weekend classes to accommodate working students. |
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Which field of A&E CAD should I choose? |
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Select the field based upon your interests, aptitudes, and talents. While electronics is generally the highest paying A&E CAD field, it can also be the most competitive, stressful, and rapidly-changing as well.
If you are good at what you do, and enjoy doing it, the monetary rewards, as well as job satisfaction, will follow. For example, if you love architecture, do it. You'll probably never be as happy designing integrated circuits as you will designing houses.
On the other hand, if you enjoy the challenge of a fast paced, often stressful environment, try the electronics field. Be prepared for the rapidly changing technology that will constantly affect the nature of your job and possibly your career.
Changes in CAD technology are creating new jobs in the areas of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Computer-Aided-Manufacturing (CAM). Jobs and job descriptions that do not exist today will be created as the impact of new technologies are felt in the architectural and engineering graphics field. |
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What if I can't get the courses I need? |
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It is unlikely that you will be able to fit all of the recommended courses into your schedule, as some classes fill quickly or are offered at inconvenient times. As you near graduation, consult with your A&E CAD advisor for approval to substitute courses that still meet your requirements. Your diploma will read: Associate of Applied Science in Architectural and Engineering Computer Aided Design, with a specialization in the area you completed. |
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What about the required math class? |
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The state of Texas requires you to take 3 hours of math for an Associate Degree. Take the toughest math course you can handle. If you plan to transfer to a 4 year university program, check with the receiving college to see which ACC math class meets their requirements. |
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Can I transfer to a 4 year university and apply my A&E CAD degree to a Bachelor's degree? |
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Yes, both Texas State University in San Marcos and St. Edwards University offer a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree that requires approximately 2 additional years to complete. Contact TSU's Occupational Education Department for more details call (512) 716-4541 or visit www.oced.txstate.edu/ or visit St. Edwards University’s New College website at: www.stedwards.edu/newc/academic/majors/inverted.htm. Students completing the AAS degree in the Architectural Specialization at ACC have successfully transferred to the School of Environmental Design (Architecture) at Texas A&M University and the Schools of Architecture at the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of Michigan. |
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Will the A&E CAD department help find me a job? |
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The availability of employment opportunities varies with the health of the economy. When employers contact us seeking to hire A&E CAD students, we try to match qualified students to these openings. We refer only students who have proven—by their superior performance and work ethic in the classroom —that they will be good candidates. Only in this way can we assure the continuation of the good reputation of this department and its graduates.
Our website contains an online Employment Center that is available only to our students and alumni. Employers can post job openings to our website, where students can view them and follow up if they are interested.
All A&E CAD graduates must complete the capstone course, in which they develop a portfolio and resume suitable for interviewing.
The Bottom Line: Good students, with good work habits, good grades, and excellent portfolios make good employees. Ultimately, you are responsible for making yourself employable, but we will assist you in the preparation and execution of your job search.
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What do employers look for in a student applicant? |
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Employers are very careful in making hiring decisions. Interviews with prospective employers are usually thorough and often involve tests that measure your proficiency with CAD. You might interview with one person, or an entire team, to see how well you would fit into the organization. Your attitude toward work and your ability to learn quickly and contribute to the team right away are important factors in to the hiring decision. Here are some things an employer may want to know about you:
- Are you a quick learner (will you contribute quickly)?
- Are you intelligent, competent, energetic?
- Will you fit into our team?
- Do your instructors speak well of you?
- Did you make good grades in your major?
- Do you meet deadlines?
- Are you able to work well in groups as well as individually?
- Are you prepared by your training to do the job?
- Can you communicate well with others (both verbally and in writing)?
- Do you have good work habits?
- Are you dependable?
- Will the employer profit from your efforts?
Recommendation: Work hard, study hard, develop good work habits, set high standards for yourself, create excellent drawings for your portfolio, be able to explain how and why you did things a certain way, come to class prepared and on-time, meet your deadlines, impress your instructors with your work habits and attitude, keep your best foot forward and your face into the wind . . . ! |
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