Calling all AutoCAD jockeys...
Discussion
Im looking for advice from the CAD operators about careers in CAD.
Im interested in becoming a piping draughtsman but im not sure how i'd get there.
Im currently a civil engineer (trainee) in probably the UK's largest and most reputable oil and petrochemicals plant. Im just at the end of my HNC in Civils aswell, but i fancy branching out into piping draughting. I do believe im on a good starting platform for this kind of thing.
Im thinking about doing the HNC in CAD next but i would like a bit of advice/info!
Cheers in advance!
Im interested in becoming a piping draughtsman but im not sure how i'd get there.
Im currently a civil engineer (trainee) in probably the UK's largest and most reputable oil and petrochemicals plant. Im just at the end of my HNC in Civils aswell, but i fancy branching out into piping draughting. I do believe im on a good starting platform for this kind of thing.
Im thinking about doing the HNC in CAD next but i would like a bit of advice/info!
Cheers in advance!
Are the company you're working for paying for your training?
If so do you have a mentor, or regular reviews?
I am guessing you have piping draughtsmen at workm therefore the best method would be to state your intentions that you want your career to progress in that direction.
I'm not a believer in sticking with a job just because thats the one you've trained for and not to speak to management about your plans. I've always been open with my managers and in my appraisals and have 'stuck my hand up' as it were when I've seen an area I want to work in. Consequently I started in manufacturing, moved to maintenance engineering, then process engineering, then process design. I'm a 2D/3D/FEA monkey now and am looking to get into R&D.
As long as you don't expect the waves to part for you and are prepared to wait for vacancies in the drawing office then stay put. Be good at your job, be eager to learn, and make the right impression with the right people, and let them know where it is you want to be.
If so do you have a mentor, or regular reviews?
I am guessing you have piping draughtsmen at workm therefore the best method would be to state your intentions that you want your career to progress in that direction.
I'm not a believer in sticking with a job just because thats the one you've trained for and not to speak to management about your plans. I've always been open with my managers and in my appraisals and have 'stuck my hand up' as it were when I've seen an area I want to work in. Consequently I started in manufacturing, moved to maintenance engineering, then process engineering, then process design. I'm a 2D/3D/FEA monkey now and am looking to get into R&D.
As long as you don't expect the waves to part for you and are prepared to wait for vacancies in the drawing office then stay put. Be good at your job, be eager to learn, and make the right impression with the right people, and let them know where it is you want to be.
SXi lad - Cheers. I will try that.
shirt - Yeah, my company pay for my training at present and they will pay for the next part of my further education, whether it be the HND or degree in civils or similar in AutoCAD.
Nope, there are no piping draughtsman in our company. It's just something i've expressed a bit of an interest in over the past couple of months.
Im guessing you're in a similar industry? What is R&D?
Thanks for the replies!
shirt - Yeah, my company pay for my training at present and they will pay for the next part of my further education, whether it be the HND or degree in civils or similar in AutoCAD.
Nope, there are no piping draughtsman in our company. It's just something i've expressed a bit of an interest in over the past couple of months.
Im guessing you're in a similar industry? What is R&D?
Thanks for the replies!
Edited by J381 on Wednesday 18th March 08:30
R&D = research & development.
i'm in steel. very few people i meet at work have spent their entire career in one area. i know qualified engineers who are hr managers, metallurgists who are now commercial acount managers or financial bods.
i am surprised you don't have piping draughtsmen. the only refinery i've seen at close quarters is the shell plant in merseyside. that place is fecking enormous!
i'm in steel. very few people i meet at work have spent their entire career in one area. i know qualified engineers who are hr managers, metallurgists who are now commercial acount managers or financial bods.
i am surprised you don't have piping draughtsmen. the only refinery i've seen at close quarters is the shell plant in merseyside. that place is fecking enormous!
So what items of steel are you researching and designing?
My company dont personally do it, we are a consultant engineering company. We do civils (including 'draffys', environmental, architectural and now electrical.
I have just found out the name of company that do piping draughting so im going to check them out the now.
My company dont personally do it, we are a consultant engineering company. We do civils (including 'draffys', environmental, architectural and now electrical.
I have just found out the name of company that do piping draughting so im going to check them out the now.
i do process design for a primary steel producer.
edited as i misread the question:
i applied for a job at our automotive research facility. it was forming/hydroforming car body panels, lightweighting components etc. basically doing research for free for the major manufacturers to strenghten the customer relationship.
was a very sweet job and the facilities were very impressive - loads of audi bodyshells laying around, front end of a gallardo being crash tested etc. - but i couldn't start immediately. am on the preferential candidates list for the next vacancy, though am looking at oil/gas as an alternative.
edited as i misread the question:
i applied for a job at our automotive research facility. it was forming/hydroforming car body panels, lightweighting components etc. basically doing research for free for the major manufacturers to strenghten the customer relationship.
was a very sweet job and the facilities were very impressive - loads of audi bodyshells laying around, front end of a gallardo being crash tested etc. - but i couldn't start immediately. am on the preferential candidates list for the next vacancy, though am looking at oil/gas as an alternative.
Edited by shirt on Wednesday 18th March 12:24
J381 said:
So what items of steel are you researching and designing?
My company dont personally do it, we are a consultant engineering company. We do civils (including 'draffys', environmental, architectural and now electrical.
I have just found out the name of company that do piping draughting so im going to check them out the now.
Depends where you are in the country, but the biggest Global petrochem design houses are who would probably be interested in you. And train you from Civils / Structural to Piping are:My company dont personally do it, we are a consultant engineering company. We do civils (including 'draffys', environmental, architectural and now electrical.
I have just found out the name of company that do piping draughting so im going to check them out the now.
Foster Wheeler Energy (Who I work for), they have a European HQ in Reading and regional offices in Warrington, Middlesbrough and Glasgow.
Aker Solutions: HQ in Stockton, with large offices in Portsmouth, Glasgow, Aberdeen and a small office in Warrington.
AMEC: HQ in London, but big design offices in Darlington and Wynyard which is near Middlesbrough again.
Woodgroup: Big in London, bigger in Aberdeen.
If you want any company names to send CV's to drop me a PM.
I use CAD on a daily basis in Architectural work!
Get a HND first.
My first tutor over 12 years ago was useless and i couldn't get my head round it. Tried it again 6 years later and its the best thing I've ever done.
If you know someone who knows what they are doing then they will make it simple for you!
I wouldn't bother with the 3D stuff for what you are after!
Get a HND first.
My first tutor over 12 years ago was useless and i couldn't get my head round it. Tried it again 6 years later and its the best thing I've ever done.
If you know someone who knows what they are doing then they will make it simple for you!
I wouldn't bother with the 3D stuff for what you are after!
herbialfa said:
I use CAD on a daily basis in Architectural work!
Get a HND first.
My first tutor over 12 years ago was useless and i couldn't get my head round it. Tried it again 6 years later and its the best thing I've ever done.
If you know someone who knows what they are doing then they will make it simple for you!
I wouldn't bother with the 3D stuff for what you are after!
Cheers mate. Get a HND first.
My first tutor over 12 years ago was useless and i couldn't get my head round it. Tried it again 6 years later and its the best thing I've ever done.
If you know someone who knows what they are doing then they will make it simple for you!
I wouldn't bother with the 3D stuff for what you are after!
personally the advice I would suggest is to do the degree in civil which will give you a good overview and also teach you CAD which to be honest is easy once you get a grip and most systems are similar. I am trained on the majority of CAD systems but to have an overview of civil would have been a better approach as this gives you a larger scope to change jobs as and when required.
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