Drafting Careers

Most of a drafter's job involves using design software to create technical drawings. Depending on their area of specialization, drafters may create technical plans for electronic circuitry, bridges, or buildings. Drafting programs give students the opportunity to gain practical experience with multiple CAD software tools, including AutoCAD, Revit, and SolidWorks.

Drafters need strong math skills to calculate weights, angles, volumes, and costs. Building on their high school algebra and basic geometry classes, drafting students often take courses in technical mathematics, descriptive geometry, and general physics. They may also study calculus to prepare for a bachelor's program in engineering.

While much of their work is technical, drafters must also interact with engineers, architects, designers, and clients. Students hone their communication and collaboration skills through group projects, class discussions, case studies, and internships.

Students in drafting programs learn to analyze issues and generate solutions. For example, an electronics drafter may need to determine why a wiring system simulation fails to deliver power to all parts of a building. By addressing flaws during the design process, drafters help ensure safety and efficiency.

Drafters primarily develop visual plans. However, they often must create instructions, annotations, and other written content for engineers, builders, and repair technicians. In addition to general education coursework in English composition, many community college drafting programs feature classes in technical writing and communication.

This field features architects and engineers, including those focused on mechanical, electrical, environmental, industrial, civil, and nuclear engineering. Drafters can take part in all these industries, helping professionals with more advanced knowledge complete key projects.

This field centers on building and renovating individual homes or multifamily buildings, such as apartment or condo complexes. Professionals may work on single-unit houses, duplexes, and larger properties with dozens or hundreds of units.

Professionals in this field install, repair, and service equipment critical to a building's mechanical systems. They must understand how complex electrical, heating and cooling, water, and other systems work and be able to identify and fix problems.

A subset of the manufacturing sector, fabricated metal product manufacturing involves bending, forging, machining, and stamping metal pieces and then joining them together to create components, systems, or equipment. Workers also treat metal products using a variety of methods.

This industry involves creating products like levers and gears, which apply mechanical force to make complex systems work.

American Design Drafting Association: Since 1948, ADDA has represented the professional interests of drafters and designers. The association offers four professional certifications, including a credential specifically for digital designers. ADDA also provides resources for practitioners, maintains student chapters at universities across the country, and advertises job openings through its career center.

Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture: ACADIA serves as an international network for digital design professionals and scholars. In addition to organizing an annual conference on topics like disruption and cognitive machine design, the association publishes research articles and policy briefs, curates news relevant to the field, and provides opportunities for collaboration.

American Institute of Building Design: AIBD helps members develop new skills and demonstrate professional expertise through the certified professional building designer credential. The institute also organizes local and national events, publishes a magazine and newsletter, and hosts a job board.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers: ASME offers many valuable resources for drafting professionals and students. For example, the society provides free online access to a library of articles on topics like bioengineering, career development in the field of engineering, and standards and certification. ASME also organizes conferences, competitions, and industry events.

American Institute of Architects: AIA promotes the value of architecture and offers a wealth of resources to drafters and designers who aspire to become architects. The institute offers scholarship and fellowship programs and a licensure guide.

Making Architecture - IE School of Architecture and Design: In this course, students learn about the mind of an architect, starting with the basics and moving toward the completion of an independently created site model. Learners gain a more comprehensive understanding of how their work contributes to the field of architecture.

VLSI CAD Part I: Logic - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: This course focuses on using CAD software tools to build modern VLSI chips. The course offers valuable insights for professionals who wish to apply their knowledge of CAD in a new field.

Language of Design: Form and Meaning - California Institute of the Arts: In this course, students analyze the effectiveness of graphic design, including the elements that make designs appealing to different audiences. The course helps individuals better communicate about design and improve their own design skills as they gain the ability to engage in comprehensive self-critiques. The course also focuses on the user experience and bringing a variety of voices and opinions into the design evaluation process.

CADdigest: Part of engineering.com, this digital publication provides news, information, and innovation related to the use of CAD software and tools. Articles cover subjects like AutoDesk, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, building information modeling, virtual reality, vehicle tracking, and engineering. Readers can also subscribe for weekly email updates.

Cadalyst: A top resource for drafters and designers, Cadalyst helps professionals research and evaluate a variety of technologies, tools, and software. The online publication also includes feature articles on a variety of drafting-related subjects.

Architect Magazine: Published by the American Institute of Architects, this magazine features articles, feature pieces, and profiles on architecture projects, programs, and ideas from around the world.

Civil Engineering Magazine: The American Society of Civil Engineers publishes this monthly magazine. The publication delivers articles and profiles focused on industry trends, public policy, legal and ethical issues, innovative projects, emerging technologies, and current issues in the profession.

Electrical Contractor Magazine: This monthly print magazine focuses largely on electrical construction. It covers key issues and innovations relevant to drafters, engineers, project managers, and electricians.