Automation has been one of the most frequently quoted buzzwords in the business world today. Everyone talks about how to do things faster, better, easier and with more accurate results. Indeed, humanity has come a long way from the days of manual design to automated design.

Seldom can the term automation be mentioned without the implied notion of computers. Remember that the heart of a computer is the processor and virtually every electronic machine today has a processor somewhere.

In other words, most machines are actually simply large, specialized computers. One of the areas that have not been left behind is design and hence the emergence of Computer Aided Design (or CAD).

When it comes to CAD, it is not about specialized computer equipment per se but more about computer software installed on an ordinary computer that allows the designer to create a virtual prototype of whatever object he may have in mind. CAD use is widespread today and actually goes beyond the fields it has ordinarily been associated with such as engineering.

Usually the only difference is customization of each CAD application to meet the requirements of the industry. This is important because the goal of CAD is to aid in the design process and CAD applications would receive resistance from the market if they were unable to meet the expectations of each industry’s design process.

As with any other career, getting into a CAD career requires one to have some interest in the field. Apart from the automation, the first thing is to have a genuine passion for design, whether automated or not. This is not difficult to tell. If you find yourself fascinated with making things or understanding the intricacies of how different devices work a CAD career may just be the career for you.

A CAD career also requires an interest in the sciences especially mathematics. Careers in CAD will often require a considerable amount of precise calculation. That said, one does not need to be a mathematics guru but rather someone that has an above average grasp of the fundamental mathematical concepts.

Once you have established that you have the interest and ability to embark on a CAD career, then you can move to the next step: that is, education. The degree or certificate credentials you will pursue will heavily depend on the particular field you are interested.

Remember that for the most part, CAD is not a career in itself but rather a means to enable a career. If your interest is in applying CAD in a mechanical engineering setting, then it follows that you will to go through the rigors of a mechanical engineering degree. If it is electrical engineering, ditto.

What is important to note is that often, an academic program such as an electrical engineering degree or a civil engineering degree will provide the basics of CAD but may not be sufficient to cater for application in the real world.

So, you may need to attend a professional course in CAD that can provide a higher level of detail.