So... know anyone hiring CAD operators?

Preferably in Boston, but it's all negotiable. I don’t have a degree, but I do have a certificate or two and 9 years experience at the same company. I’m pretty good with AutoCAD and AutoSketch, have dabbled in Solidworks and Inventor a touch and well but am not ready to step into a job using that stuff right now. I'd be more than willing to learn, but who wants to hire someone they have to train?

Nothing crazy is required regarding salary, but $25,000/year isn't going to pay the bills either. As an aside, anyone else in a similar field have any suggestions on things to brush up on to get into a similar field, maybe civil or something? Current experience is mostly mechanical, little electrical, little engineering. I’d honestly consider anything that would pay decent and train on the job, especially if it’s with computers.

I may just say fuck it, take the construction management course and go to work with my father. However, that takes time, and is a complete career shift. If I could get back to work quick in a field I know, that'd be preferred. Last current position was "AutoCAD Operator", but basically I was in charge of doing complete parts manuals for one-off machinery as well as prints to send to the machine shop for any custom manufactured parts. I know the liquid control industry basically inside out after 9 years, anything else there is going to be a bit of a learning curve. Not really expecting to find something here, but thought I'd throw out a feeler in case something came along.

Thanks.

Dan I wish you luck, I'm in sales and deal with the AEC market - as you know its dead right now. Forget about civil unless you find a firm that is involved with stim money, even then they are picking the bones of those long laid off with lots of experience. Not to make matters worse but construction management is the worst possible idea even more so than civil. Bring your cad experience to a manufacturer... better yet a pharmaceutical company facilities dept or hospital that is growing. goodluck
Chris

Thanks Chris. I'll keep an eye out in the manufacturing arena. The only reason construction management appeals to me is my father runs a very successful contracting company that I'm set up to take over when he retires, if it wasn't for that the idea wouldn't even cross my mind. I know it's very hard times for most contractors right now, but he's been doing very well since he started, even these past few years. Even now he's lined up through winter, which few others are. I wouldn't be going there so much to use my CAD skills as to run the company using my people and management skills.

Pharmaceutical companies or hospitals are interesting ideas, but I wouldn't even know where to begin. I suppose it's worth some research though.

I appreciate your input, and your wishes for luck... I'll need them.

Good Timing, send me your email address and ill send you some drawings to take a look at. Tell me how much you will charge to do each.

Drawings will be coming in as a Visio drawing and needed to be turned into a ACAD drawing which you can see what the final result needs to look like

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Originally Posted by daviid

Good Timing, send me your email address and ill send you some drawings to take a look at. Tell me how much you will charge to do each.

Drawings will be coming in as a Visio drawing and needed to be turned into a ACAD drawing which you can see what the final result needs to look like

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Awesome, thanks. Email coming via PM right now.

http://www.portsmouthhospital.com/Cu...5-DC3519A162CA

can't hurt sending your resume att to Facilities Dept right next door in Portsmouth.

Go to the naval Shipyard too, they must have a hiring station at the main gate. send me a pm Monday and I will see if my old contacts in the drafting / cad dept are still around.

General Dynamics Electric Boat goes thru fits and starts

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Originally Posted by CMG241

http://www.portsmouthhospital.com/Cu...5-DC3519A162CA

can't hurt sending your resume att to Facilities Dept right next door in Portsmouth.

Go to the naval Shipyard too, they must have a hiring station at the main gate. send me a pm Monday and I will see if my old contacts in the drafting / cad dept are still around.

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Thanks, will do.

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Originally Posted by richw

General Dynamics Electric Boat goes thru fits and starts

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I do believe they are a pretty regular customer of my old employer, I'd assume they have a good 100 of my prints on hand already. Good to know.

Solidworks knowledge and experience will go a long way towards getting you in the door at a lot of places. AutoCAD is still largely in use but a large number of companies are moving to solidworks if only because they're suppliers/customers are using it and having the same software makes life a whole lot easier. In addition, once you get proficient with solidworks you will be able to jump into pretty much any 3d history based software (ProE, IDEAS, UG, etc.) because while they are all different once you really get into them, the basic process and interface is the same no matter which package you end up with.

edit: especially in the Boston area this will be a plus as SW is based out of mass.

I have a company that tracked me down for a job, I'm going in tomorrow to interview but it doesn't sound like it's really my field and I'm not looking to switch industries. If it's what I expect I'll get the info to you and mention your name while I'm there.

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Originally Posted by soofle616

Solidworks knowledge and experience will go a long way towards getting you in the door at a lot of places. AutoCAD is still largely in use but a large number of companies are moving to solidworks if only because they're suppliers/customers are using it and having the same software makes life a whole lot easier. In addition, once you get proficient with solidworks you will be able to jump into pretty much any 3d history based software (ProE, IDEAS, UG, etc.) because while they are all different once you really get into them, the basic process and interface is the same no matter which package you end up with.

edit: especially in the Boston area this will be a plus as SW is based out of mass.

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Thanks. I'll have to try to find a demo to play with in my downtime to get better with it.

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Originally Posted by hessogood

I have a company that tracked me down for a job, I'm going in tomorrow to interview but it doesn't sound like it's really my field and I'm not looking to switch industries. If it's what I expect I'll get the info to you and mention your name while I'm there.

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Thanks dude, I really appreciate it.

I am the best reference you can have... please use me! Good luck you are awesome at your job you will make some company a great employee!

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Originally Posted by 6 Fingered Man

I am the best reference you can have... please use me! Good luck you are awesome at your job you will make some company a great employee!

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Thanks dude, and I will. God knows I've done enough computer work with you. I should just get all my IT cert's and become your competition :twofinger:

Seriously though, thanks. I'll use you as a reference for sure.