Drafter - Architectural or Civil (17-3011.00)

Career Family

Architecture & Engineering → Architectural/Civil Drafting

Fit Summary

Realistic (R) + Conventional (C) + Investigative (I); MBTI often ISTJ/ISFJ — spatial reasoning and standards.

Career Overview

Produce drawings for buildings, roads, and infrastructure; develop plans, elevations, sections, and details; coordinate with architects/engineers; apply codes and site constraints; prepare permit sets.

Credential Pathways

Typical Education: Associate’s/certificate in drafting; Revit/Civil 3D proficiency; field measurement skills (Job Zone 3).

Pathways: CAD technician → drafter → BIM/CAD coordinator → designer.

Regulatory Moat: Building codes, zoning, ADA, and drawing standards; document control.

Alternative Pathways: Survey/CAD tech, permitting assistant, or construction document specialist.

Environment & Lifestyle

• Work Environment: Design offices; occasional site visits.
• Sensory/Social Load: Moderate — design review cycles.
• Physicality/Fieldwork: Low–moderate — site walks/measurements.
• Geographic Anchoring: A/E firms and local governments.
• Remote Amenability: High.

Future-Proofing Snapshot

• AI Augmentation Potential: High — code checks and layout suggestions.
• AI Displacement Risk: Medium — routine drafting automates.
• AI New Task Creation: Some — BIM data coordination and clash detection.
• AI Skill Shift Intensity: Medium — parametric tools and scripts.
• Automation Risk Score: Medium.
• Human-Core Score: Strong — constructability and coordination.

Risks / Watchpoints

• Late design changes ripple through sets.
• Permit requirements and code updates.
• Site constraints require careful detailing.

Notes on Fit

Great for Realistic/Conventional students who like turning concepts into buildable plans.

« Back to Top »