There is so much more to working in a shipyard than just welding or fabrication. What about the designers who work tirelessly to design efficient and effective ships for clients? If you think that designing may be in your future, what do you need to do to gain the skills necessary for success? The first step is to become a CAD designer. CAD stands for Computer Aided Design and is the cornerstone of engineering positions. Here are some tips to get you started.
Get your associate’s degree.
Computer aided design programs don’t necessarily require a background in engineering or a four-year degree. You can take Computer Aided Design classes in a two-year associate’s degree programs to give you the background and skills you need to find a career in the industry.
Find on-the-job training.
Next, once you have obtained your degree, find a company willing to work with you to gain on-the-job-training. In many ways, this is like an apprenticeship that is common in a lot of trade industries. Look for entry-level CAD positions to become a way to gain real work experience and to put on your resume.
Obtain your CAD certification.
After you’ve had some experience in a professional level CAD position, take the test to receive a certification. There are several CAD certification options, such as Autodesk, so look at the one that will make the most sense for your career ambitions and the needs of the shipbuilding industry.
Source open shipyard positions.
Finally, once you’ve gained your associate’s degree, learned CAD on the job, and obtained your certification, you can begin to apply for open design positions within the shipyard industry. Contact a staffing agency specializing in marine placements to help kick-start your new career.
A career in computer aided design is a lot of hard work, but it can be rewarding. When you see the final product of a design you helped bring to life, your world will be changed.
Work with a leader in shipyard staffing.
Are you looking get your career in CAD started? Contact the recruiters at Hutco today to learn what we have available.
