Career Tips for Candidates Undertaking CAD Technician Training

In the architectural, building services, and structural engineering industry, building information modelling (BIM) has had a profound impact on the workflows and the major project stakeholders involved. Nevertheless, whether the AEC firms embrace the modern BIM approach or follow the traditional design-bid-build methods, highly skilled candidates, who have undergone architectural and MEP (M&E) CAD technician training, form an integral part of the work ecosystem.

Due to its ability to provide greater predictability to project teams, BIM and parametric virtual design planning have become a norm in the AEC industry. As a result, architecture, engineering, and interior design students that have completed specialised Revit MEP and Revit Architecture training courses certainly stand at a vantage point compared to others. Whether they seek a position in architectural offices or wish to assist building service engineers, the following are some valuable career advancement tips for candidates undertaking professional CAD technician training:

• Put Together a Strong Portfolio

One of the first things candidates, who have either completed or are undergoing CAD training, should do is to compile a strong professional portfolio. Bear in mind your portfolio, along with your academic and professional certifications, is an essential self-pitching tool. It should convincingly reflect your expertise in a particular domain and related skills. Some of the competencies you want to demonstrate though your portfolio are your ability to produce and communicate design data; your technical proficiency with applications, such as AutoCAD and Revit; your in-depth understanding of architectural and MEP (M&E) concepts; and your ability to create BIM models and construction drawings for a diverse range of facilities.

• Gain Industry-Recognised Credentials

Industry-recognised certifications, such as the Autodesk Certification, are important to establish to your potential employers your expertise in using software applications. It is a validation that you have the knowledge and the skills necessary to effectively meet the needs of the position. For instance, when you earn Autodesk Certification, you get listed on Autodesk’s database of certified professionals around the world, which increases your career prospects.

• Cross-Train Yourself

In today’s competitive age, it is crucial for prospective employees to expand their domain know-how. For instance, if you have completed architectural CAD technician courses, you are expected to have an advance-level proficiency in applications, such as AutoCAD Architecture and Revit Architecture. As a result, to make your profile even more robust, it is advisable to cross-train yourself in MEP (M&E) and 3D visualisation applications, such as AutoCAD MEP, Revit MEP, and 3DS Max. If you have multidimensional aptitude in interrelated software applications, you stand a better chance of succeeding in your career roles than others who have restricted knowledge.

• Build a Professional Network

Connecting with and maintaining relationships with professionals in your domain and areas closely related to your field can boost your career advancement chances. A good place to start connecting with people in CAD-related domains is the institute or the training centre where you complete your CAD courses. The faculties, including past tutors, might have some valuable industry insight which is extremely crucial for you as an individual about to embark upon a career. Additionally, ex-students of your CAD training centre who are placed in reputed AEC practices can be of great help too. Besides, being active and visible on the professional social networks can also yield good results. Having updated complete profiles on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Skillpages, ApnaCircle.com, BharatStudent.com, and Worldfloat.com provide a nice platform.

• Initiating Targeted Job Search

Prepare a resume and a cover letter that precisely demonstrates your educational, professional, and extra-curricular details to your prospective employer. Upload it onto leading job portals and apply to companies and organisations that are relevant to your skills and competencies. By doing so, you may gain an in-depth understanding of the firms and the industry in which you are seeking a job. Additionally, you may get a clear picture of the expectations of the representatives of those organisations. Note that you may need multiple versions of resumes and cover letters tailored to separate organisations.

Prabhat Singh heads Grey Edge, a leading Autodesk Revit MEP Training Centre in Mumbai. Prabhat has been instrumental in designing many types of curriculum related to domains, such as architecture, interior design and web designing and development.