- Most firms require that their drafters possess at least a bachelor's degree, although many technical and community colleges offer associate's degrees in architectural design and drafting. With these degrees, graduates will be able to apply for jobs in the private sector at architectural firms, interior design firms, engineering firms and architectural product manufacturers. Graduates can also seek employment in the public sector with city, county, state and national drafting departments.
- An individual applying for a position as an architectural drafter should possess an advanced knowledge and skill level in interior and exterior commercial construction, modular planning, ceiling systems and partition systems. In addition to understanding the fundamentals of building design and construction, an architectural drafter must also be technologically savvy, as architects often work with advanced building software such as AutoCAD, Revit and Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.
- Most candidates apply for jobs directly through a firm's human resources department. Many of these firms also attend job fairs at colleges, allowing them to recruit fresh talent firsthand. Remember that demand for this type of job varies, based on the real estate market. When the economy is strong and people have money to invest, there tends to be a larger need for construction projects, and therefore a greater demand for architectural drafters. During times of economic turmoil, however, construction tends to grind to a virtual halt, making it difficult for anyone in the building, construction or design fields to find new projects. This can lead to hiring freezes and even layoffs.
