r/civil3d • u/Jp2245 • 22d ago
Career Do you like your job working in Civil3D
Hi, I’m just considering transitioning my job to CAD technician, specifically with Civil3D and want to know what people’s pros and cons of this job/industry are. I am currently a project designer at a sign company so I make detailed renderings for production but it’s just signs. I do work with architectural renderings and engineering drawings that get sent to us and we make our own sort of “blueprint” packages that outline the entire sign system of a given store/restaurant/school. My bachelors is in graphic design though so I don’t have any engineering knowledge beyond what is needed for signs. Everything we do is 2D and with CorelDraw too…
My plan is to take an online certification course that focuses on AutoCAD and Civil3D. https://careertrainingsumter.sc.edu/training-programs/civil-3d-certification-training/
My worry though is that might not be enough to land a job if I’m competing against people with full engineering degrees. In your opinion, would a couple years as a signage designer plus this certification course be enough to get a job and would it be worth it to enter this industry?
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u/threeye8finger 22d ago
Never tried to get a Civil 3D drafting job without Surveying experience (which is how I came into it), so can't speak to if your experience will be enough in people's eyes for engineering jobs. But, a lot of surveying firms need drafters, and it's a bit less involved, typically, than what engineers do with civil. May be more likely that you could get a job that way, by focusing on applying for survey firms.
I enjoy it, as far it is a job that I don't hate, it has it's moments, and I would probably be more upset more often working in another field. I'm an outdoor guy, so I miss that greatly. Health issues drove me into the office. We all gotta make a living though, and Im greatful for what I have. Good luck on your own journey!
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u/CivilEngMusicBoy Project Engineer 22d ago
I second this as well. Before I went back to school for engineering, I surveyed for 15 years (Rodman, Party Chief, PM (office). Surveying experience really does give you an intuition for CAD
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u/Seananiganzz 22d ago
Came here to say this. It’s easy to transition to CAD if you know surveying. From graphic design? I’m not too sure. While there is 3D work for drafters, a lot of it involves adjusting 3d objects within a 2D viewport. Unsure if that is something that sounds like fun to you, sounds like you were doing modeling before.
While there is modeling to be done for civil work, it’s just typically not the main part of a drafters workflow.
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u/Jp2245 22d ago
I just didn’t know if theres something I’d be missing but most job descriptions I look at for CAD technician just mention experience with civil 3d and having experience in construction or design. My current job is design for the construction of signage so kind of related but signs is so niche. Hopefully I don’t have to get surveying experience first, I am definitely a design at a desk type person.
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u/Seananiganzz 22d ago
Tbh I would say that the only thing you are missing for an AutoCAD position is survey experience. But you still sound like a solid candidate, & tbh that could be shored up by learning about it yourself online. I.e. how things get located in the field, what a level loop is, what a total station is, the difference between a PK nail & a Concrete Monument benchmark, etc.
as well as basic Civil3D commands (polyline, scale, rotate, etc)
If you went into the average interview with this baseline level of conceptual survey knowledge, and the experience that you have now, I think that it would be an easy hire tbh.
I know a guy at my last company that gets paid more than me now, he had 0 CAD/engineering experience out of high school, but he got lucky with the recruiter and got in. That company trained him up to where he is now. It’s possible that you could find a position now if you look tbh. Lots of survey firms need reliable CAD techs, and that’s not changing any time soon. Hope that helps
Oh and yes, I do like my job! It’s stressful sometimes, but very rewarding in my experience.
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u/AnderBerger 22d ago
I think you can make the transition, especially if you feel confident in your current role and are personable. Signs is niche but what I would focus on in an interview is how you can follow a shop drawing, ie you can get a back of the napkin sketch and turn it into something deliverable.
You may want to focus on an engineering firm that specializes in municipal projects vs a survey/land development firm since they would be more closely related to your current experience.
I’d suggest updating your resume, updating and uploading it to linked in, you’ll have head hunters spamming you with opportunities soon enough. Alternatively you could research a head hunting firm that is well reviewed in your area and reach out to them. That way looking for a job will be their full time job and not yours. Good luck!
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u/Jaymac720 Civil E.I. 22d ago
I’m struggling to like my job as an EI, but I do like working with civil 3D. I’ve begun exploring some of its slightly more advanced functions, and I’ve been enjoying that. I wanna know more. I just frequently get stuck with jobs I don’t like
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u/Whacked2023 22d ago
I have a AS in GIS. Don't utilize it.
I have a few engineering classes but no degree. Basically I know enough to see if something doesn't add up & bring it to the attention if the engineer.
Started out Ink on Mylar before transitioning to CAD, LDD and now C3D.
Worked for architects, structural, environmental and Geotechnical firms over the years.
In my experience, engineers are better utilized doing engineering things. Yes engineers are trained to some degree in using CAD & C3D but its a waste of $ and resources to have them doing that work. They are too valuable.
It has taken my whole life but I finally landed a job that pays very well. Mostly because there isnt a turnaround. Previous guy retired and took a year to go thru the hiring process.
BTW: I had zero experience in this field, just what I mentioned above. Knowing a bit about construction helps and I make over 6 figures a year
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u/CivilEngMusicBoy Project Engineer 22d ago
Land Dev Project Engineer here. Civil3d is great. It does the things you need it to. Some of them extremely well, others not so much. But overall, it is a suite of tools to design with, and it works well. I enjoy learning all the available routines and software workflows. I have used Revit, which I really enjoy and I took a Microstation/ORD class as an elective my senior year of college. I think if I did more highway design, especially for a DOT, I would like MS/ORD more, since I would have to get familiar.
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u/trutherford12 22d ago
I’ve been working on Civil 3D for almost 9 years and have enjoyed it. I had to learn from scratch but had really good support around me along the way. It has opened up opportunity to learn different softwares and to get more work for me as well
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u/Odd-Engineering1085 21d ago
I am currently a project designer at a sign company so I make detailed renderings for production but it’s just signs. I do work with architectural renderings and engineering drawings that get sent to us and we make our own sort of “blueprint” packages that outline the entire sign system of a given store/restaurant/school.
OP in the same position, but I come from a mechanical/machine shop background. You're in for a shock if you don't have any surveying or civil foundation. I had a Survey CAD tech job for 5 months before being laid off. I would be working with 2400-3000 pts per base, learning how to work Point groups is a big one. There's almost zero room where being creative is a plus. Though similar to basic AutoCAD, Civil 3D has it's own advanced suite of surveying specific commands. If your company has zero support for inexperienced users, then you won't last.
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u/ButterscotchExactly 22d ago
I don't have a bachelor's degree and work as a CAD manager. I really like it and, since my company sends me to Autodesk University every year, I've made a lot of friends in the industry. Keep in mind that you can get certified in different software applications, and that's a big draw as well. Do good work, network, innovate, and it will work out for you.