Post Graduate Career Growth Advice

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I know this is unrelated, in part, to software but I think this forum host many people who could offer a lot of help with the questions below. I'm just curious about some of your choices after graduating, or becoming certified as drafters. I've gone back to school for an associates in arch/mech drafting and have a few semesters left to go.

Looking ahead I'd like to hear what others have done to make themselves marketable to the jobs you are now doing?
Also, if you could go back in time and do something extra (i.e. CNC certification, or B.S. in Architectrual/or Mech Engineering) what would you have done differently based on upward mobility/variety of work you could be doing?
I'm debating on what to do so I can increase my hiring potential, and before getting hired I'd like to be setup for multiple career growth options.

Thanks for any responses.

[pendean]

Have you considered an off the radar degree called Architectural Engineering? You get educated in just about everything in the two fields and it is a value to so many more industries than just one like ARCH or MECH or just CNC certifications.

Good luck.

[pkolarik]

I have an associates degree in "Architectural Drafting" (it's not offered under that name any longer, I believe it's called "Architectural technician" or "archi designer" or something like that), I graduated 27 years ago.

Any "certification" in drafting would have been of no value for what I do. I long ago decided I didn't want to become an architect, so I gave up that path about 3 years after graduating. Beyond that, just my abilities and performance at my job is all that anyone is concerned about. A piece of paper on the wall stating "yeah, I can draft" would be of absolutely no value to anyone here (or at other companies in the area) due to the years of experience I have. Maybe as a new graduate, with no prior experience, that piece of paper would be of value.

However, if you want to get into the archi drafting field, learn Revit. Get good at Revit. Also, acquire rendering abilities with the software (if any) to go along with that.

As for mechanical/cnc type stuff. Can't speak to that, as I've never been in that side of the industry.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the feed back, that helps out a lot.

[Frederick_Law]

It's more about what you want to do.

Keep on top of industrial changes and learn new skills on the go.  What we've went through here maybe irrelevant in the future.  The world is changing fast, you'll need to keep on top to stay marketable.

Drafting doesn't means design.  A draft person could be just making drawing from someone else model.

What do you like to do?  Mech design?  Civil?  Arch?  You can try out different jobs to see which one you like.  Don't get stuck at something you don't want to do.

I have Mech Engineer Degree but not PEng.  I have been working in small family business.  Some of them I can't work there if I'm PEng.  PEng worth more in Civil, Structural and Aerospace.  I'm getting pay more as Design Engineer then some PEng.  So to me it's not worth the legal responsibility to have PEng.  It could be different for you.

There are also more Solidworks jobs then Inventor in my area.  Automotive use Catia and ProE, Cero.

Again check your local reculting ads and see what employer wants.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the advice, I will pay attention to the market place and work toward the most appealing type of work.