Chapter 7 Computer-Aided Drafting and Design 159
C A R E E R s i n d r a f t i n g
Drafting/CAD Teacher
What would I do if I were to become
a drafting/CAD teacher? Because I would ?
be a type of career and technical education
teacher, I would use many different methods of
presenting information and concepts relating
to drafting and computer-aided drafting (CAD)
in order to help students learn how to solve
design problems. I would assist students in
learning how to properly create drawings that
are used to manufacture or construct objects.
What would I need to know? I would ?
need to be able to properly organize a class-
room and know how to present the information,
concepts, and skills that I need to teach my
students. I would need to know how to use (and
instruct how to use) various manual drafting
tools as well as computers and CAD software.
I would need to be familiar with and compe-
tent using a variety of tools, techniques, and
procedures as they relate to various special-
ized fi elds of drafting—such as mechanical,
architectural, electrical, and civil drafting. I
would need to know how to work effectively
with diverse ethnic and socioeconomic groups
of students. I would also need to know how
to design classroom presentations; plan, eval-
uate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer,
and grade tests; evaluate oral presentations;
maintain classroom order and discipline; effec-
tively work with and communicate with other
staff and parents; assist students in setting
career goals; and help with a wide variety of
extracurricular activities.
Where would I work? I would spend a ?
majority of my time in a classroom environment
instructingstudents. However, my workcouldtake
me out of the classroom for fi eld trips and other
academic and extracurricular endeavors. Many
teachers also have home offi ces where they
spend many hours preparing for their classes.
(continued) d d
For whom would I work? I could work for ?
a public school district, usually at a secondary
level. I could also work for a public or private
technical school, trade school, college, or
university. Some drafting/CAD teachers also
work for large corporations to keep profes-
sional staffs current with the latest technolo-
gies, practices, and procedures.
What sort of education would I need?
While in high school, I would need to take
courses in drafting, mechanical drawing, CAD,
and computer science, along with required high
schoolcourses.All50statesrequirepublicschool
teachers to be licensed and have a minimum of
a bachelor’s degree from an approved teacher
education program. Some states require that
teachers earn a master’s degree within a speci-
fi ed period of time after being hired. Also, many fi
drafting/CAD programs are designated as
career and technical education programs, and
most states require that teachers of career and
technical education programs be credentialed.
Job experience as a drafter or CAD drafter is
very helpful in acquiring a career and technical
education credential.
What are the special fi elds relating to
this career? There are many areas of study in ?
which I can teach. Math, science, technology
education, and computer science are probably
the most closely related to drafting/CAD.
What are my chances of fi nding a job?
In general, the overall job outlook for teachers
over the next several years is good to excellent,
depending on the subject matter, grade level,
and locality. However, there are several factors
regarding job opportunities for drafting/CAD
teachers. First, many teachers now teaching
drafting and CAD are nearing retirement age.
Hence, new teachers are going to be needed to
fi ll those positions. Second, at present, the job fi
market is sorely lacking in qualified drafting/CAD fi
teachers that are not already employed. And third,