Computer-Aided Design Technology
Program
THE OCCUPATION
Everything around us manmade gets started as an idea. Ideas must
be recorded to a medium to convey them for purposes of construction
or production. The people who convey the information of ideas to
drawings are known as drafters and designers. Kishwaukee College is
one of the few Illinois community colleges that offer programs of
study towards both architectural and mechanical drafting certificates
and design degrees. CAD drafting and design professionals work under
such other professionals as architects and engineers. Graduates of
this program are capable of applying cognitive thinking skills in
combination with psychomotor skills, related to manual dexterity,
to produce drawings.
THE NEED
A program assessment study for Kishwaukee College's Computer-Aided
Design Technology program completed each year revealed the
following data.
|
93 |
94 |
95 |
96 |
97 |
98 |
99 |
00 |
01 |
02 |
03 |
04 |
| Archi. Jobs |
3 |
5 |
5 |
10 |
10 |
5 |
10 |
20 |
30 |
13 |
8 |
9 |
| Archi. Grads |
2 |
3 |
16 |
10 |
8 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
8 |
4 |
9 |
8 |
| Mech. Jobs |
6 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
20 |
17 |
20 |
26 |
27 |
14 |
8 |
12 |
| Mech. Grads |
5 |
8 |
13 |
8 |
4 |
7 |
3 |
4 |
10 |
2 |
3 |
8 |
The table illustrates there are consistently more jobs being posted
at Kishwaukee College by employers, than the number of graduates to
fill them. Common knowledge holds that most available job opportunities
go unadvertised so the jobs above are but a small fraction of all jobs
available in our area.
A 2003 survey by the USDL BLS showed the following predicted openings for the near future:
| CAD Drafter |
CAD Designer |
CAD Instructor |
| 10% |
20% |
36% * |
* - indicates a critical shortage
THE INSTRUCTION
This program has faculty of 2 full-time and 3-5 adjuncts as enroll-
ments require. The program faculty average well over 25 years of
teaching and field work experience. Some faculty are currently
employed in the field. Lab assistants are also available as
students qualify for these positions.
The college board has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in
faculty, facilities and equipment to satisfy a clearly identifiable
employment need. CAD lab hardware and software are upgraded on
a regular basis. Students are exposed to the latest in educational
technology such as multimedia presentations and the Internet.
The program is housed in 3,600 square feet of the college's "A-400"
wing. Instruction is offered in board basics as well as the
advanced principals of CAD. An advisory committee, comprised of
drafting and design professionals, plan curriculum direction for
the future of the program.
STUDENT SUPPORT
The Kishwaukee College Computer-Aided Design Technology program
has demonstrated levels of student support for your past,
present and future.
New students, who have taken drafting course work in past high school
programs like the Kishwaukee Education Cooperative (KEC), or other
colleges, may earn proficiency credit to eliminate duplication in
instruction. Students who have demonstrated life experience in the
field may also be granted proficiency credit.
Present students attend courses of limited class size and have a
variety of work-study, internship and scholarship opportunities while
working towards their certificates or degrees. Students have had
opportunities studying abroad, competing in state and national
drafting competitions, holding club offices and even teaching
drafting as vocational/technical education teachers. Students of
this program are regularly employed before graduation. Degree
seeking students may take individual instruction courses to allow
them to complete their education while employed. Students in this
program have a 90% course completion rate, a high rate for any
college program.
Program graduates will have access to the Kishwaukee College
Employment Resource Center where employers post their current
employment opportunities. Graduates generally find employment
in this field starting between $20,000 to $30,000 a year. Some
of the program graduates will transfer to a 4 year institution
to pursue a bachelor's degree.
If you would like further information on the Kishwaukee College
Computer-Aided Design Technology program, call (815) 825-2086,
extension 348, to arrange a visit or contact us through this
web site.
A FINAL WORD
Kishwaukee College encourages students to declare their majors
early for purposes of proper advisement and record keeping.
The four curriculum available in this program area are:
AAS Degree #412 Computer-Aided Architectural Design
AAS Degree #413 Computer-Aided Mechanical Design
Certificate #414 Computer-Aided Architectural Drafting
Certificate #415 Computer-Aided Mechanical Drafting
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