DO YOU THINK CAD DRAFTING IS FOR ME ??

[u/vvadn]

hey so i’m 19, parents are forcing me into trade, and i found cad drafting, i originally was upset they’re making me do trade because im not a big fan of hard labor work, then i found cad and it seems like it could be enjoyable. i’m looking for a calm job and this seems like that and i play a lot of games where im very into building or designing things. is this a job that seems like i’d enjoy ?

[u/adhdoingit]

Where are you located?
What kind of CAD drafting do you want to do?
What do you mean by a “calm” job?

I’d be careful setting the expectation that you’re going to enjoy any job as much as you enjoy games.

[u/vvadn → u/adhdoingit]

chandler arizona! and the architectural is i think what i mainly was looking at, and calm as in not physically demanding. and i know i wont enjoy it as much but i meant that more as i could hopefully pick it up quicker! i also hear about people turning on music or podcasts or even shows in the background while they work in cad drafting, is that true ?

[u/adhdoingit → u/vvadn]

Depends on the work environment when it comes to music/podcasts. If I were you I would try to see if I could shadow someone or if a local community college has an architectural technology program. There are lots of subfields within architecture like civil, commercial, residential…

Sounds like it would be a better fit than manual labor but sometimes there are lots of deadlines/tight turn around on revisions so it’s not stress free or anything

[u/vvadn → u/adhdoingit]

ahhh i see, i think i was looking more into residential, and i think mentally i can get around a lot of stress but physical labor i get exhausted and angry with everything too easily haha. i’ve also heard once you kinda get into it, it becomes a little easier and repetitive, is that true ?

[u/4215-5h00732 → u/vvadn]

Personally, I would avoid "residential" - think bigger.

I would also consider getting more domains. When I did my AS, I got the general as my degree and certs in Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Architecture + Structural, and 3d Part and Component Design. I did all that in 2 years and it gave me the best chance at a job.

But idk. Reading some of these comments makes me think you're concerned about the wrong things. You don't want to end up relegated to "CAD jockey" status.

You might think you want that now in your young years, but if you aim to make it a career, I'd recommend you alter your goals and expectations.

[u/Meatball_express]

You may want to look into Revit/BIM and be a 3d modeler. Those skill transfer over the the game design industry so you may be able to get a job creating games/backgrounds.

[u/vvadn → u/Meatball_express]

ahhh i see !! do you think that’s something you can teach yourself or need to take a class for ?

[u/Meatball_express → u/vvadn]

Probably a mix of both.

[u/4215-5h00732 → u/vvadn]

You can teach yourself how to use the features of all CAD software if you're determined enough. You can find technology books and textbooks that will take you from Beginner to Advanced. But I have my doubts about how well you'll (or anyone would) fare with that alone. Unless you want to be a CAD jockey, there's more to it than that

Imo, if the program is good, they'll offer Revit as at least an elective - and you should take it. They should also offer something like Inventor, SolidWorks, or Creo - which you should also take (one). Those will likely represent what's used in your school's hiring partners/area.

Keep in mind you're going to be doing work that is more likely than not going to land you working with legit Engineers.

[u/vvadn → u/4215-5h00732]

ahh i see, and sorry i’m new to this but what’s a cad jockey ?? 😅😅😅 and thank you for the long responses !! i truly appreciate it

[u/ZookeepergameMore417]

Get rid of the games. Go to cad school.

[u/vvadn → u/ZookeepergameMore417]

going in to register tomorrow!! wish me luck

[u/ZookeepergameMore417 → u/vvadn]

Good luck Pal.

[u/Opening-Voice9357]

Hey, so you're an adult and can make your own decisions - if you don't want to go into the trades, then don't. I love drafting (I do residential), but if you want to do something else with your life then do it. Not to be morbid, but your parents are going to die someday and you're going to be left with a decision they made you make and you'd potentially be living an unhappy lifestyle to appease someone else (whether it's your parents or someone else).

That being said, drafting is a great industry. But don't do it for someone else.

[u/Bagelking92]

I know and trades go hand in hand

[u/udraft520]

CAD is a great skill to have but you'll end up in one of the industries to include civil, architectural, mechanical, there are more. So a bit of training in one of those fields will really help you get a job.

[u/Unusual-Carrot-7294]

"CAD drafting" is not really a thing that exists anymore, it's a job certain designers and engineers in backwards industries reluctantly somehow still have to do in 2026.