Question: I am about to graduate from high school and plan to go to community college. I want to train and do something that uses my artistic talent. I love to draw but everyone tells me there is no way to make a living using my drawing skills. Can you help me?
—John

Response: Have you thought about drafting design? Here is some information for you to consider.

Traditionally, drafters sat at drawing boards and used pencils, pens, compasses, protractors, triangles, and other drafting and drawing devices to prepare a drawing manually. Most drafters now use computer-aided drafting (CAD) systems to prepare drawings. Consequently, some drafters are referred to as CAD operators.

CAD systems employ computer workstations to create a drawing on a video screen. Although drafters use CAD extensively, it is only a tool. Persons who produce technical drawings using CAD still function as drafters and need the knowledge of traditional drafters–relating to drawing and drafting skills and standards–in addition to CAD skills. Despite the near-universal use of CAD systems, manual drafting is still used in certain applications.

Drafting work has several major areas of specialization, such as architectural, electronic, and mechanical drafting or cartography.

Drafters may also specialize in engineering, architectural, and land or product development. Their drawings provide visual guidelines showing the technical details of the products and structures and specifying dimensions, materials to be used, and procedures and processes to be followed.

Drafters fill in technical details, using drawings, rough sketches, specifications, codes, and calculations previously made by engineers, surveyors, architects, or scientists.

Drafters draft detail and assembly drawings and retrieve information from computer files and displays information on screen. They use software to zoom in, redesign, modify or edit drawing and verify the accuracy and completeness of drawings. Drafters then transfer drawing from computer to hardcopy.

Drafters may compile data, compute quantities, determine materials needed, and prepare cost estimates. They may confer with engineers and other drafters to interpret design concepts, determine nature and type of required detailed working drawings, and coordinate work with others.

Employment Outlook:
Average growth is projected for drafters through 2008.

Salary Range:
The California pay for drafters and design drafters varies widely. Those with a higher level of education or those who have a specialty and good CAD skills usually earn higher pay.

CAD/CAM DESIGNERS
projected 2002 annual salaries in the Los Angeles area according to Economic Research Institute:
YEARS EXPERIENCE 10th PERCENTILE TIME SERIES MEDIAN 90th PERCENTILE
5 $ 39,010 $ 46,604 $ 56,909
3 $ 35,942 $ 42,958 $ 52,433
1 $ 32,876 $ 39,315 $ 47,961

ARCHITECTURAL DRAFTERS
projected 2002 annual salaries in the Los Angeles area according to Economic Research Institute:
YEARS EXPERIENCE 10th PERCENTILE TIME SERIES MEDIAN 90th PERCENTILE
5 $ 31,160 $ 36,418 $ 43,266
3 $ 28,072 $ 32,833 $ 38,978
1 $ 24,936 $ 29,192 $ 34,624

Educational Preparation:
Employers expect drafters and design drafters to have a high school education, plus training in drafting from a trade school or college. Preparation for the field is offered at Regional Occupational Programs or Centers and community colleges.

After completing a 2-year associate degree program, graduates may obtain jobs as drafters or continue their education in a related field at 4-year colleges. Four-year colleges usually do not offer drafting training, but college courses in engineering, architecture, and mathematics are useful for obtaining a job as a drafter.

In general, the more formal education one can obtain the wider the choice of jobs and the better the prospects of advancement will be.

The following regional occupational center and community colleges in the Los Angeles county area offer certificate and/or associate degree programs in drafting/design:
Southern California Regional Occupational Center
2300 Crenshaw Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 224-4200
www.scroc.com
This occupational center offers day and evening classes in Technical Drafting and Computer Aided Design. Coursework includes various levels of computer-aided drafting, and an introduction course to CAD.

According to a representative, coursework in drafting and design at the center is transferable towards the certificate and/or associate degree in Computer Aided and Design/Drafting at El Camino Community College. According to a representative, coursework completed at vocational centers/adult schools usually prepare drafters for entry-level work. The cost per course is generally $170.
El Camino College
Division of Industry and Technology
16007 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90506
(310) 532-3670
www.elcamino.cc.ca.us
Contact: Linda Gasett, Counselor or
John Carr, Instructor
The college offers a 34-unit certificate program and a 54-unit associate degree program in Computer Aided Design/Drafting. The cost is $11 per unit.
Los Angeles Valley College
5800 Fulton Avenue
Valley Glen, CA 91401
www.lavalleycollege.com
The college offers a 60-unit associate degree program in computer aided design technology. Coursework includes completion of 18 general education and 36 core unit requirements. The cost is $11 per unit.
College of the Canyons
The Design Arts and Technology Department
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(661) 259-7800
www.coc.cc.ca.us
The college offers a 24-unit certificate in Computer Aided Design and Drafting. Coursework includes foundation and advanced classes in design principles, visual communication and presentation techniques. The cost is $11 per unit.

Job Resources
CAD Operators Online
www.seekworld.com
This serves as online career site for CAD professionals like drafter/designers where one can register and have their resume posted onlne and therefore, accessible to prospective architectural, engineering and manufacturing companies in search of CAD professionals. The site also provides an online listing of job opportunities.

Professional Associations:
American Design Drafting Association (ADDA)
P.O. Box 11937
Columbia, SC 29211
(803) 771-0008
Fax (803) 771-4272
www.adda.org
E-mail: national@adda.org
This is a membership organization for the professional designer drafter in all disciplines including manufacturing, utilities, construction, engineering, government and education. Membership benefits include industry updates through membership newsletters and industry publications and professional development through a drafter certification program.

This nationwide program which is open to all individuals, regardless of experience and formal education enables drafters to demonstrate professional capabilities and helps employers in identifying quality employees. It may also improve opportunities for promotion and pay increases, and give an edge in the highly competitive job market.

The certification examination is 120 minutes long and does not require specific knowledge of design or of computer programs, but is a general knowledge examination designed to allow individuals to demonstrate their expertise in the drafting profession.

For further information regarding examination details refer to the association web site. The following is a test site in the Los Angeles county area:
ITT Technical Institute
1530 W. Cameron Ave.,
West Covina CA 91790
(626) 960-8681
Contact: John Timberman
There is also the added option of student membership for individuals enrolled in the design/drafting course at schools, which sponsor an ADDA Student Chapter.

The benefits of student membership include industry updates on design/drafting, networking opportunities with professional drafters and designers at local and national meetings, and updates on salary ranges and educational requirements for the profession. The annual student membership dues are $25 and the annual professional dues are $85.


— • —  
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

You may e-mail questions to swmcareer@aol.com.