Architectural & Civil Drafters

computer data drawing design architecture realistic interests specification software graphical representation method of presentation

Architectural Drafter, Civil Drafter, Computer-Aided Drafting Designer (CAD Designer), Draftsman

What they do:
Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.
On the job, you would:
  • Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
  • Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
  • Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology

  • design
  • building and construction

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Skills

Basic Skills

  • reading work related information
  • figuring out how to use new ideas or things

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by writing
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • use rules to solve problems
  • come up with lots of ideas

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Independence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software

  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Hot Technology In Demand
  • Trimble SketchUp Pro Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Graphics or photo imaging software

  • Adobe After Effects Hot Technology
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)

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Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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