<p>So I'm mechanical Engineering major and taking this design course (Intro to CAD) using Solidworks as it's a requirement for ME majors. Although I'm pretty good at math and science related subjects (I have 3.4 gpa), I'm having a really hard time with this course. While I see my peers doing extremely well and cruising by when making models; I'm taking 2/3 times than them to make the same model. So I was wondering does it mean I'm not going to be a good engineer? Is it time to change my major? Will I have a hard time getting an Engineering job if I can't grab a solid knowledge of this course?</p>
<p>Anyone know about this?</p>
<p>Do you have a hard time performing the actual work in the class or is it just frustrations with learning the software?</p>
<p>Some people are just very intuitive with things like solidworks, so it makes courses like that easier. Once you learn how everything works, though, you should be on pretty equal footing.</p>
<p>I think it’s more on the learning the software side although every now and then I’m having trouble with the work specifically when creating a plane to create something on it or making complex parts.</p>
<p>I think it’s not as intuitive to me and I just want the class to be over. Does it mean I’m not gonna make a good engineer?</p>
<p>DON’T LET IT CONVINCE YOU OF ANYTHING.</p>
<p>I remember taking my first CAD class 2 years ago and I felt the same way. Everyone around me was flying through the labs and assignments and I was struggling. I asked around and I found out that so many kids had already been exposed to it in high school or by parents. It took me a few months but before I knew it, I was becoming very efficient at CAD. It just comes down to practice, practice, practice. </p>
<p>Not to mention, creating CAD models/drawings is only one of the very few things a good engineer can do. There are literally a million different things you could practically do with an engineering degree. I highly suggest that you keep your chin up and power through the class. I know you’ll be glad you did in a few years.</p>
<p>Thanks for your kind words. It’s encouraging to see that I’m not the only one struggling with CAD and despite not being very good at CAD, I can become a good Engineer. I appreciate it.</p>
<p>I will admit I was one of those kids who was exposed to CAD in high school. I took every CAD/tech drawing class my school offered. So when we first did CAD in college I was one of those kids who flew past everybody. I was always one of the first 3 kids finished with my models if not first. But that being said I do believe it takes a different mind set or way of thinking to really nail down CAD. Like anything else in life practice can overcome any initial short comings but just because this mindset isn’t natural doesn’t mean you’ll be a bad engineer. </p>
<p>One thing I noticed when the class was doing CAD was that the class tended to be divided into 2 groups. We started the semester off with programming and I noticed that a large percentage of those who excelled at programming were terrible at CAD while those who sucked at programming (me) excelled in CAD. Obviously there were exceptions and whatnot but just because you can’t do one thing doesn’t mean you can’t do another. I’d argue the opposite actually. Take it easy, suffer through CAD i suppose, and find what you are good at.</p>