<p>So I'm taking an Engineering Drawing / CAD course and it's a major turn-off right now, as I'm beginning to think that I might be doing this for work after graduation. I went into the major thinking I might be learning how things work and instead, I get this. I've really liked my physics, statics / dynamics courses that focused more on the theory than the application of design and actual hands-on work, but I'm beginning to think that I might not be able to use a lot of this theory when I'm eventually in the work force. Is this major really for me if I'm not willing to be an AutoCAD junkie? Should I be considering a master's if I'm more into the theory than the application, or should I be thinking of something else like physics?</p>
<p>phd may be a good choice</p>
<p>Are you civil?</p>
<p>I am EE and I have never touched CAD in my school or at my job…</p>
<p>It varies a bit depending on the exact discipline, but engineering DESIGN will usually require some type of computer-generated modeling while engineering ANALYSIS will not. As an EE, I had to build detailed computer models of my designs, first so that I could run simulations related to their physical properties, second so that they could actually be built! However, you can certainly find jobs that minimize this kind of work.</p>
<p>I have heard from several practicing engineers that the first jobs many graduates get are in CAD work. If you work for a smaller company you may get mOre design work, which involves more theory.</p>
<p>The structural engineering firms in our area expect younger engineers to know CAD, but they have detailers who are responsible for most of the CAD work. The BIM programs, such as Revit, are even harder to learn than AutoCAD, so usually the engineers stay away from those. I hate Revit! </p>
<p>I’m a structural engineer, but I learned AutoCAD more than 20 years ago. I love using it, so I do all the CAD work for our firm (just my husband and myself). We save money since we don’t have to hire outside help. Sometimes I help out local firms with AutoCAD or Revit when they get swamped with work (and yes, they’re swamped this year - a good thing!).</p>