How to Become a Drafter
If you have an artistic flare along with high technical knowledge, then a career in drafting may be the right fit for you. This career will provide you with steady work and a competitive salary as well as pride that you will feel when one of your projects is completed. You will be able to look at it and think that you had a large part in the development of the building, highway or machinery you see. When you begin looking at how to become a drafter, you should know there are many options you may choose from. The most popular for beginning drafters is to earn an Associates degree, however; most employers request or even require that you are either working on your Bachelors degree or already possess a Bachelors degree in AutoCAD or drafting.
Shortest Route
The quickest route when determining how to become a drafter is to earn a two year Associates degree in either AutoCAD or drafting. This degree will give you a basic understanding of the fundamentals of drafting that will get you ready to start your new career. This program is typically completed in about two years; however, you can find an online school that offers drafting programs. Many of them now offer accelerated programs or fast track programs that will allow you to earn your online degree in about 18 months. This means that you will be able to jump start your career and begin working in much less time than if you were to go through a traditional college setting. With your Associates degree you will only start out making the minimum amount for entry level drafters which is typically about $10 per hour.
Bachelors/Combination Programs
Whether you are still in high school or already have your Associates degree, you can always go back to college to further your skills in how to become a drafter. With your Bachelors degree, you will be provided with additional career opportunities as well as a higher salary, usually $15-$25 per hour. In addition, you may also go to one of the best online colleges and benefit from all that distance education has to offer. This includes online courses where you can complete the required work in the location of your choice. The Bachelors degree in drafting typically takes about four years to complete; however, there are variables that will also determine the total time it will take you to complete this program. The main variable is any prior college credits. If you already have an Associates for example, all of the prior credits earned will transfer and go toward your Bachelors program, therefore, you can expect the time it takes you to earn your Bachelors degree in only about two years. If you are still in high school or a new college student, you may still start out with your Bachelors degree to get the job you want right away after graduation. While this way takes longer to start, it is one of the most widely accepted ways in how to become a drafter that potential employers like to see. Future employers would rather see a new drafter with additional education than one with only the minimum requirements in how to become a drafter.
