Autocad Technician Career Training Guide

Question: Autocad technician pay? how much pay is there for an autocad technician if he wrks 10 hrs per day, 50 hrs per wk.

Answer: The 40k per year total isn't accurate as there are simply too many variables involved. First it depends on your experience. If you've never worked in a technical drawing field you likely won't make 40k a year starting out. Next it depends on the part of the country you are in. I know people in Chicago that making 15k more a year doing the same job I do, but we have the same standard of living due to the cost of living difference. It also depends on your industry, this is VERY important and can easily make a 20k difference depending on skill level and expertise. I would suggest (if you are in the USA) you should go to www.salary.com to get a better feel for professional compensation in your area in your field of expertise. 40k is a good "mid-range", but I know people making 25k a year using AutoCAD and others making 75k a year using it. From my point of view, anything from 32k-52k can be "average" for this position dependent on industry, location, and experience.... but it can go above/below this depending on the factors I mentioned and more.

Question: what is an average salary of an autoCAD technician? ??????????

Answer: Varies greatly depending on where you live. In my opinion, it's a dying field. Young engineers do their own CAD work. It doesn't make any sense to hire 2 people for a job that one person can do. In the Washington DC area, I'd say $40k.

Question: Iwant to work in NZ as a autocad technician(mech.)Can you help me please.? I have an experience of 10 year industrial experience in mfg. unit now i am working as a lecturer for engineering drawing in india(dehradun)

Answer: Try the NZ job recruitment websites... http://www.seek.co.nz/ http://www.jobs.govt.nz/ http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-me-jobs/index.htm http://www.workingin-newzealand.com/ The sites usually have requirements for working in that particular country too, I got a job in the Philippines this way. Good Luck!

Question: what is the demand of autocad drating technicians? i want to get my degree on that so i was wondering the demand.

Answer: It depends on what field you would like to enter, such as civil, structural, architectural, landscape, mechanical, hvac. I have noticed lately that the engineering fields have had a lot of job openings. I use both autocad and microstation in my field. I have also noticed that a lot of architects have been doing there own drafting. Most technical firms post job listings in there website. Look up a few firms in the field that you are interested.

Question: How much math is involved in becoming a information systems security professional? I'm a C-5 quadriplegic and I used to be a welder but now I have to reeducate myself, I've always been more brawn than brains and I was wondering how much math is involved in becoming an information systems security professional or an AutoCAD technician-if anybody is taking these courses or have any suggestions about what a quadriplegic man could do for a living-I can use all the help I can get. I pick my own best answers so try to be mature when you answer.

Answer: To be honest, if math/logic isn't your strong suit, you do not want to have a career in either computers or engineering. Just sayin'... I would take advantage of all the testing they can give you for career re-education at Vocational Rehabilitation. You can find the best area to concentrate on.

Question: I am thinking of approaching companies with a view to doing some drawing on a freelance basis.? I am a qualified AutoCad Technician and want to do freelance work for different companies. How should I make the initial approach.

Answer: Go to http://www.guru.com/ to see if you qualify for any of the posted contract jobs. If so, you can post your qualifications and bid on the work.

Question: Hi can anyone tell me what job situation is like in London at the moment? I am an Interior Designer / AutoCAD Technician with about a year and a half of Irish experience. I would also temp in the meantime until something else comes up!

Answer: with the olympic games coming up there will be some big company's looking for CAD/Tecs but the building business has taken a direct hit and there are a lot of people looking, but if its anywhere London is the place

Question: How do i become a cad technician? I have a diploma in graphic design and photography and no other qualifications, I have looked into courses In autocad but I am really not sure which one would be the best. There is City&Guilds autocad part time at my local college but it's only one evening a week, I am thinking to ask local Architect and engineering firms to do some experience to get my foot into the door. Any good advice out there? Thanks Alba

Answer: I am a CAD Tech for my state's DOT, which is mainly civil engineering. If you have good AutoCAD/Microstation experience I would look into local firms. Try looking online...there are so many jobs to fill for a CAD Tech it's unreal. Architech firms are usually tough to get into...but if you have a good record to show, you might just get it. But like I said, check an online database for jobs near your area that need a CAD guy, trust me...if there are firms around you, they will need them. The best of luck to you.

Question: what are the soft wares that a civil CAD technician must be good at? i'm a II year civil engg student.. I'm intersted in doing a diploma course in cad.. one cad school i consulted offers a master diploma in civil cad. The course covers archiCAD, 3ds MAX, STAAD pro, primavera and rivet. Are there any other soft wares that are essential? I've already finished autoCAD 2007.

Answer: GIS, Land Development Desktop, AutoCad, and Civil 3D. I would suggest that you don't waste your money on the diploma. I would worry about getting a job after graduation as an entry level CE. If the job you take requires drafting, the company will train you in the specific software that they use.

Question: AUTOCAD Career? Im thinking of doing an AUTOCAD 2D course starting in September and lasting for 30 weeks then going onto the 3D course which is another 30 weeks, would I need to do anything else like specialise in 1 type of drawings and do another course or would I be able to specialise in most types of drawings also what are the various roles that AUTOCAD Technicians do?

Answer: This is actually an area of specialty of mine. My next paragraph is really just a lead-in to the main topic you are interested in which will follow it. First off, if your AutoCAD course takes 30 weeks then I'd say you are not in a "true" AutoCAD course as much as you are in a "drafting" class. This is a good thing, it's your ability to draft and show your design intent for which you will be paid for (this process is called construction documentation) and not just because you know AutoCAD. Understand, I could teach my 12 year old how to use AutoCAD and in fact, I KNOW a 12 year old that can use AutoCAD... but that doesn't mean they have the ability or skills to actually contribute in the workforce (and obviously I wouldn't want them to). Next, to add another 30 weeks to learn 3D would just be adding to your drafting education and ability to think three dimensionally as the real "jump" into 3D isn't all that hard once you've learned the basics. I can make these assumptions because I teach AutoCAD for an Autodesk reseller and could have you off and running in about 1 week if all you wanted to do was learn the basics of the program itself. A good, solid, drafting education on the other hand takes every bit of 2 years (or in your case, two 30 week "semesters"). As far as specialization: What kind of career do you want? It will be easier to find jobs in certain careers if you take courses related specifically for that industry. In other words, the more you develop your skillset, the more attractive your educational portfolio will become. So the only answer to your question is this one: What do you want to do? In that answer you'll find the answer to your other question. In the end, if nothing stands out as a field you are interested in then don't waste your time taking courses for subjects you don't care about. But, if you feel it could be useful in your professional development then you can be sure that EMPLOYERS will find it interesting too that you made the extra effort to improve yourself to move into their field. Remember, in many cases these same people went to school for 4..6...maybe even 8 years to get where they are today, they value education. The more you have the better you will look in their eyes as a candidate.

Question: Autodesk, Autocad 2006 and revit? I wanted to remove autocad and revit, but the technician siad that it consist of 6gb while i only manage to remove toal 600mb from add and remove program.. So how do i fully uninstall the software? It do not have self uninstall program..

Answer: add/remove should have done it for you. When you install Autocad you don't have to install all of the tools. if you only installed 600mb then that would be it. Also, you will have to reboot to see the actual number.

Question: Qualifications to become an Architect Technician? I have a Foundation Degree in Computing. But within that I studied 3D Studio Max. and I loved it. My main interest is architecture and I've decided I'd love to do AutoCad and become an Architectural Technician. Or get a job as a trainee if I can. Does anyone know any suitable job sites, agencies, companies or even top up degrees which would be good? Or have I got the wrong qualifications all together? If I could turn back time I'd do another degree! Oh right thats cool. I'll do that. I'm looking to work around Exeter or South Devon. I left Cornwall 2 years ago because careers in most things seemed bleak (according to my careers advisers and tutors at college!)

Answer: Any degree is a good thing so don't worry about that. The main knowledge you will need to acquire is basic building construction and of course Autocad. Autocad is a must nowadays for anybody wanting to work in architecture. Depending on where you live and your age, you could initially send your C.V and a covering letter to all the architects in your area [I know it seems time consuming but it is worth it]. To get some background knowledge you should get yourself a copy of the latest Building Regulations [on C.D £10 on Ebay]. It is just a matter of getting lucky I'm afraid but you should concentrate on Autocad, if you are competent on it you can easily earn £25 to £35k, Autocad operatives are in short supply, even in Cornwall where I live there are 5 vacancies at the moment that cannot be filled. As an option you could also consider doing a degree in Architecture. I am a designer [structural timber] and have worked freelance for the past 10 years, I used to train people to use Autocad and use it myself, It was the best thing I ever learnt. Good Luck

Question: Can you be successful with an associates in engineering technology? Truth be told, that's all I want to do. My "dream" job is to be the technical guy behind engineering. Autocad mastercam etc. I'm really not into the 4 year engineering. Can I still be able to find good jobs as an engineering technician?

Answer: Interesting question: I am also looking forward to becoming an engineer (mechanical or civil engineer), and I also have tried to escape the 4-5 years of studying math, physics and stuff. Unfortunately, I read some articles about employment and formations in general, and what I found convinced me about the importance of the formation: The population is growing fast, immigration doesn't stop. Employers have a lot of potential engineers and will not search for an undergraduate. You may be employed in a little company that doesn't want to waste its income into a post-doctoral wager. I strongly recommend you to take these years of formation: If money is the problem, get a loan or a scholarship. If it is time and patience, do the sacrifice. Hope that helps, Yours respectfully

Question: please help? i have been working really hard for the past few months and need a break. I need someone to cover for me without pay for one week. i am an autocad technician.

Answer: Yer avin a laf right,no pay ,go away.

Question: I know this isn't exactly the right spot..but need advice about college etc? I asked this question somewhere else and didn't get many answers, and I always feel a lot of support here. Plus, I figure many with a family can relate. My husband and I are a young couple (19 and 21) with a 21 month old daughter who is our life. Lately, we've been just scraping by on our bills. My husband works full time as an AutoCAD technician and I'm a part-time evening receptionist, we work opposite shifts so our daughter doesn't have to be in daycare. I know that the only way we are ever going to be finanically comfortable is for us both to get a college education and a good career. My husbands passion is landscape, and I want to be a teacher. I think he should go back to school (he only went to a trade school for AutoCAD certificate). He is very wary of it, he doesn't think we would be able to make it work money-wise and that he won't have the time. He is very motivated and puts 110% into all his work so I think it would benefit us both for him to go back. Another thing is that I know my family is going to be mad if he goes back first and not me. But since he is the breadwinner (and I would rather be a SAHM for the time being) I think he should go first. What can I tell my family, I know they'll be on my case. But it makes sense he go back first right? How can we make this work? I need advice from people who have been there, done that. I just want to have a financially stable life together. I know he wants it too, but I need to convince him we can do this!

Answer: whoever goes first can just take a class or 2 at a time, or even online classes and work part time also. chances are you'll both qualify for a ton of financial aid, maybe even scholarships! you shouldnt have to justify your decisions to the rest of your family. your husband and your daughter are your primary family now and the two of you have to work together to do what's best, regardless of what others think. good luck!

Question: I want my husband to go back to school...opinions please!!? Ok, so we are a young couple (19 and 21) with a 21 month old daughter. My husband is an AutoCAD technician, he only makes about $21,000 a year (maybe I should mention he's only been with the company for 7 months also) and I work part-time as a receptionist, I make about $6,300 a year. We get by on what we make as long as we're careful, we do have a limited amount of "extras" each month, but those are all spent on our daughter of course. Some months we are just scraping by. I know we can't live this way forever, we both need college education and better jobs. I want to be a teacher, he would LOVE to do something with landscape, it's his passion. The problem is he doesn't think it would ever be possible for him to go back to school. He said he needs to continue to work and he wouldn't have the time or money to go to school. I keep trying to tell him, he's so young and our lives will be tough if we never get any further career wise in life. And that there's plenty of scholarships, and there's loans he can take out! He doesn't think it would be possible. I think him going back to school is more important than me at this point in time, because he's the bread winner. Please give me some support here! Has anyone been in this situation?? I know it would be tough, but I know it will be better for us in the long run! Let me know how you made it work for you. I should also mention that he's an extremely motivated person who puts 110% into any job that he does. So it's confusing to me why he wouldn't want to go back to school and have a career he would enjoy more.

Answer: Where there's a will, there's a way. I was a single mother of four with a decent job $30K when I married a man who worked part-time at Pep Boys. We were also barely getting by. I sat him down one day and asked him what he wanted to do most in life. He said "help people". I researched career colleges in our area and the programs they offered, and presented them all to him so that we could discuss together. He chose massage therapy, we went to the career college nearest us and spoke with a financial aid officer. We explained our financial situation, budget, etc. & with the officer's help we came up with a grant/loan package that was satisfactory to all of us. My husband went two nights a week for about 18 months. He graduated last year and was immediately offered his choice of locations to work at. A year later, we are wonderfully financially secure (I also found a better, higher paying job) and we only pay $89 a month for the next seven years on his student loan. I can honestly say it was a great investment for both of us. I hope it works out for you!

Question: End of year tax returns? I know that the HMRC expect peoples returns to fall within certain statistical margins for a particular occupation/trade. If someones return is outside of what they expect then it is more likely to be investigated. What would the revenue consider to be a normal year end profit for a freelance AutoCad technician who has only just started trading and works by himself and located in Northern Ireland. Consider also initial set up costs and the current downturn in Construction. I know it is all dependent on circumstances but I'm interested in the statistical info that the HMRC use. Any advice from tax advisors, HMRC welcome Thanks

Answer: There is no risk assessment based on year ends. Your year ends when you decide it ends - normally a year after the business begins, but it doesn't have to be. The statistical margins of which you speak only really apply to recognised trades like plumbers, carpenters, etc and certain trading concerns like restaurants. CAD technicians are reletively rare and it would be very hard to put an average margin on a business like this because, as you say, it really depends on how the business is run, whereas restaurants for instance are all run basically the same. In the type of business you are talking about, HMRC would look at other risk factors, such as low drawings, high capital introduced, round sums for income or expenditure or turnover just below the VAT threshold. For a new business they would expect to see high expenditure and cpaital allowance claims. they also use other intelligence such as valuation office records for sales/purchase of houses, bank interest returns, ownershiip of racehorses, you name it.

Question: Can i get Autocad Draughtsman jobs in Saudi Arabia? Hii Now I am in Saudiarabia on Visit Visa Looking for jobs here.i have 7 year expi. in Architectural detailing and civil dwgs in Dubai and India. JOB PROFILES • 7years of experience as CAD Technician. • 2.1 year of experience in UAE • Thorough knowledge in the preparation of complete Architectural drawings , Interior. Drawings & details for presentation, preliminary & construction. • Experience in Residential, Commercial buildings, Shopping Mall & 3 Star, 4 Star Hotel, Good • Knowledge in the preparation of intelligent CAD drawings. Thanking You

Answer: wow with all that experience you can be a post man if you want !!

Question: Does a mechanical engineer use CAD? I was about to sign up for engineering at my local community college. But I notice the course was called engineering technology. I was a bit curious and I did research on it an found out that it was an associates deegree to become an engineer technician which involves alot of autocad and cam. So I decided to go to a regular university instead that does offer the engineer deegree. The problem is that I was comparing coriculums and the one for engineering doesn't say anything about cad or cam. And I really like those programs, I already know most about it and I haven't even taken a class. Is it possible they just changed the name on it? Or do they not use it?

Answer: Yes, sure nowadays. AutoCad is used by a mechanical engineer, but not to that extent needed by a civil engineer.

Question: How much can an architect make? I understand that the question is rather general, but I felt it may be somewhat sufficient for a subject. Half of the questions asked regarding architecture have been a bit naive or just flat out ridiculous. I love architecture, granted at times it does get a bit upsetting when hearing of the stress, endless hours of work, lack of recognition and horrible pay, but I've heard the end result along with the final product makes it worth while. My question is how much can an individual pursuing a career in architecture make? I'm currently at a University studying architecture in my undergrad. I've been around the block, and have understood that my program is not professional, and in order to get a job I must complete the masters program in architecture. In the time being I have also enrolled in a college for architectural technician diploma program, and have been doing some CAD certifications. What is the difference, in job description and salary, for an architect, CAD technician, architectural technician and architectural technologist? I'm looking at every avenue to further my knowledge and experience to be able to be successful once I am out of school. With regards to my academic pursuits, I wish to complete my Hon. B.A at my university, move onto Masters of Architecture, complete my diploma in either Architectural technician/technology (one is 2 years the other is 3 years) and complete some CAD certifications (AutoCAD, Revit, etc). I'm hoping to pursue a career in architecture, but one with regards to sustainable design, green building, etc. Just curious to know what to expect.

Answer: Depending upon ones experience, where one works, and their skill level, an architect's salary can range quite a bit. Very detailed information can be found in Architect Magazine's salary survey issue: http://www.architectmagazine.com/compensation/less--the-new-more.aspx There is also quite a difference between an architect and a technician. An architect goes through specific schooling and internship to become a licensed professional. Good luck.

Question: Pentium 4 2 x 3.2 Chip?!? Help!? Hi all, I'm looking at buying a new PC to run Autocad and office. I was looking at a Pentium 4 3Ghz with 2GB RAM, and I've been given the option to upgrade to 2 x 3.2Ghz for £8.99. Whats the difference? Does that make it a 6.4? Is there any benefit to spending a bit more and getting the Athlon 64 equipped model? S'cuse my IT ignorance, I'm an engineer, not an IT technician! Thanks in advance!

Answer: Usually it would mean a motherboard with two of those processors together, I think. But £8.99 is too cheap for that.

Question: Im needing a new job, where to look? Ok so I got laid off my last job, and I NEED a new job....Bad!!! Im 20 years old, and still live at home. I plan on moving out at 21, so im not looking for a job that im not going to be able to support myself on. I don't want something like bagging groceries or anything like that, but more of something where I can make decent money to survive when I get a house. I am not really certified in anything, I worked with my dad as a CAD Technician at his land surveying business for about 2 years before he had to shut the company down because of the economy. So I still have a LOT more learning in autocad to do, and I don't think I can make a job out of it. Other then that I have tried getting a job at a Toyota Dealership around here, but they aren't hiring. Where should I look. I am having a hard time. Please...please give me some help on this one. I NEED A JOB!!!

Answer: I went to a temp agency. I told them I was looking for something permanent. They gave me a few options and I pursued one position I was interested in. I start tomorrow. I will be considered "temp" for 3 months and then after that I will be a permanent employee for the business I am going to work at. The temp agency (I went to Office Team, not sure if there are any of those in your area) also offers health insurance (not the cheapest, but still) during those 3 months. Instead of searching, let them do the searching for you.