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mixmastermatt 
Newbie
Joined: 29.Jan.2013
Location: United Kingdom
Using: AutoCAD, 3DS Max
Status: Offline
Points: 3
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 Topic: Career change - CAD tech
Posted: 29.Jan.2013 at 20:02 |
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Hello, I am looking for some advice. I am making plans for a career change and I have been seriously thinking about moving in to the engineering industry for some time - however I don't have an awful lot of experience. My study background is in music production and my work background has been in Operations and Customer Service. I have been looking at becoming a Cad Technician as a start point. What qualifications and background do companies look for when they want a Cad Technician? Obviously, I am looking at the most basic entry level job to start my career.
Any advice would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks
Matt
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John Connor
Senior Member
Joined: 01.Feb.2011
Location: United States
Using: AutoCAD 2018
Status: Offline
Points: 7175
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Posted: 30.Jan.2013 at 11:51 |
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I think most companies looking at an entry level CAD tech would find it useful if the candidate had some kind of training. Have you taken an AutoCAD class? The U.K. I see, then you must have heard of "City & Guilds"?
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"Humans have a strength that cannot be measured. This is John Connor. If you are reading this, you are the resistance." <<AutoCAD 2015>>
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mixmastermatt
Newbie
Joined: 29.Jan.2013
Location: United Kingdom
Using: AutoCAD, 3DS Max
Status: Offline
Points: 3
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Posted: 30.Jan.2013 at 22:34 |
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Hello John, thanks for your response. I am about to take a course in a couple of weeks - it's a 5 day course provided by Training Square (pretty pricey at ÂŁ890) and trains me up to take an AutoCAD qualification. It's something I really want to do but obviously ÂŁ890 is a lot of money and I would be reluctant to spend that kind of money if it is not going to significantly increase my prospects.
I appreciate that most firms are going to want experience but I have noticed one or two openings for Junior CAD tech's. Do you think any application of mine would be seriously considered for a Junior CAD position if I had the Level 1 CAD qual from City & Guilds?
Thanks for your help
Matt
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philippe JOSEPH
Senior Member
Joined: 14.Mar.2011
Location: France
Using: AutoCAD Mechanical 2017
Status: Offline
Points: 1493
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Posted: 31.Jan.2013 at 06:45 |
Hello mixmastermatt, I don't want to disturb you but if your study background is music + operations ans customer service, I'm wondering why choosing to switch to CAD technician ( or in relation with this ? ).
It can be an option but I think that you will have to learn about technics ( mechanical , civil engineering , framework or else ... ) before you begin a new career.
Or may be you have abilities in some technical field.
Personaly I think of AutoCAD as a "mean" and not a "finality".
May be I'm too old ( 1980 --> 1995 on the drawing board , 1995 --> today on the computer ).
Please tell us about your evolution, your CAD course, your ideas etc...
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John Connor
Senior Member
Joined: 01.Feb.2011
Location: United States
Using: AutoCAD 2018
Status: Offline
Points: 7175
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Posted: 31.Jan.2013 at 11:52 |
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Most entry level CAD positions will put you in the role of making corrections to drawings and over time maybe even creating a new drawing. Your work will be reviewed by a checker (CAD Manager?) or by an engineer.
Note that "engineering", per se, is not an industry. What field are you interested in? Let me name a few.
Civil
Structural
Architectural
Marine
Electrical
Heating/Ventilation/Air conditioning
Mechanical
Audio/Visual
Theater set design
Automotive
Aviation
Environmental
Geotechnical
Power (ex. - electrical infrastructure like power stations)
Wastewater treatment
Biological
Industrial
Nuclear
Petro-Chem
There are more but that list should get you thinking.
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"Humans have a strength that cannot be measured. This is John Connor. If you are reading this, you are the resistance." <<AutoCAD 2015>>
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heinsite
Senior Member
Joined: 05.Feb.2009
Location: United States
Using: AutoCAD 2014
Status: Offline
Points: 640
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Posted: 01.Feb.2013 at 02:22 |
Civil... right at the top of the list where it belongs!  Dave
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Dave Hein, P.E.
Hawaii District Engineer
Kona International Airport
AutoCAD Certified Professional
Autodesk Expert Elite
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John Connor
Senior Member
Joined: 01.Feb.2011
Location: United States
Using: AutoCAD 2018
Status: Offline
Points: 7175
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Posted: 01.Feb.2013 at 11:42 |
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That's where I started. I first started out though in a survey crew then moved inside to a drafting position after a couple of years.
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"Humans have a strength that cannot be measured. This is John Connor. If you are reading this, you are the resistance." <<AutoCAD 2015>>
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heinsite
Senior Member
Joined: 05.Feb.2009
Location: United States
Using: AutoCAD 2014
Status: Offline
Points: 640
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Posted: 01.Feb.2013 at 18:59 |
There's no substitute for field experience, whether you're going to be a cad tech or even a fully registered engineer. It's important to know what really goes on during the building process before you try and draw something.
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Dave Hein, P.E.
Hawaii District Engineer
Kona International Airport
AutoCAD Certified Professional
Autodesk Expert Elite
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