CAD Designer /Drafter (Computer Aided Design) Ryan Genek CAD Description Individuals interested in CAD drafting and computer design may find themselves in such career areas as architectural drafting, drafting design or general drafting. Learning computer- aided drafting programs such as AutoCAD are critical in this profession because much of the estimating and drawings are done via computer. Education Requirements Training Required There are a variety of training opportunities and programs available for those interested in CAD drafting, architectural drafting or computer design. Depending on the type of position you wish to acquire, you can enroll in a two-year program at a technical college, a four-year program at a university or obtain an advanced degree from an accredited school. Technical colleges will provide you with the technical skills needed in the field, whereas four-year colleges typical concentrate on a subject area (such as math, architecture or engineering). Wherever you choose to complete training, you'll want to make sure that you have developed your mechanical drawing and drafting skills and have general knowledge of drafting standards and engineering technology. Any program in the field should also offer extensive computer-aided design program training as well. Certification can be achieved on top of a postsecondary degree through the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA). Salary by Job Job Opportunities