I've been toying with the idea of going back to school and over the last 10 years I have had a fair amount of experience using AutoCad when I worked in my company's fab shop in Lubbock. Currently I am doing sales of industrial equipment and have a BS in Animal Science. I'm getting pretty burnt out on the sales side of things and not interested in going after anything to do with my degree. Over the years I have gotten pretty familiar with drafting and doing projects with engineering groups that a lot of times I wish o would've had known that this kind of stuff interested me. Guess my main question is, what are my options as far as what degree I should pursue? Should I be looking at say a ME degree or should I try to find more of a drafting/design degree. Just not sure what's out there and what would put me in the right direction. Thanks!
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Engineering degree.
A designer gets paid for experience/knowledge and a degree vs no degree is immaterial in my experience.
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Alternatively, an engineering technology degree might be a fit for you.Comment
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you could get an associate degree in CAD and go that route or you could pursue an engineering degree. The engineering degree will take at least 4 years while the associate degree is typically a 2 year program. Some of your earlier credits might transfer but not many as engineering and CAD are both pretty specialized. Engineers, of course, make a lot more money. If you had good grades in your earlier studies you should get accepted in either program with engineering being more difficult. Good luck!Comment
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Decided exactly what job you want, or type of job, and then I can tell you the degree. If you just want to draft on CAD all day, then do that. It's less time and money for that degree. If you want to manage the project, approve drawings and design the actual items. Become an engineer.
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Also, if your me specifically interested in machinery, then yes become a mechanical engineer. If you want to draw/design buildings, roads, bridges, etc then look into civil engineering. I myself am a civil engineer by degree. But do not work in the field. It's one of the lower paying engineer degrees on average. But it's getting better. Pretty much requires you to become an EIT, then PE if you ever want to move up and make decent money. Mechanicals make more on average and don't require the professional license as often.
If you want to work in the oilfield, I definitely recommend mechanical over civil.
So again, decide what job you want, or what it is you want to do for the rest of your life. Then find the degree you need. I'm in the oilfield. If I could back, I would do mechanical as it would open more doors for me
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My daughter is a wiz at cad and revet. She has a 2 year certificate and likes it alot.Comment
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I've been Tool Designer/Mechanical Designer/Draftsman Since 1968
Whatever you do, get a degree, either an associates or B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. You'll certainly make more as an engineer, but you may or may not be doing your own drafting work.
I don't have a degree and although there's no doubt that experience is invaluable, you'll make more money starting out.
It can be an interesting job. I use AutoCAD and Solidworks (a 3D modeling software) in my job.
I've worked in the following industries: Oil Field Services, Aircraft (military), Conveyors, and several others.
You will NOT get rich, but it's a good job, usually in comfortable surroundings with good people.
Having said that, I'm planning on retiring next year and it's time.Comment
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