Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
(OP)
Hello everyone (first time poster),
I live in Sacramento, graduated two years ago (BSME) and have been working at the same HVAC consulting firm ever since doing system design, load calcs, drafting. I enjoy the work, the problem is the industry has slowed down incredibly, and we've had to lay a few people off this year. The learning curve is looking pretty flat, not much work on the horizon. I feel that I'm on the chopping block too in a way.
I've been contemplating a career change for awhile. I have some Solidworks skills that i acquired in school and was thinking of brushing up on them. There appears to be lots of job postings online for Solidworks drafters/designers, although i know nothing of the industry. Would it be a mistake to change career paths? Should i stick it out and continue building experience in HVAC consulting and project management. Any input is appreciated.
I live in Sacramento, graduated two years ago (BSME) and have been working at the same HVAC consulting firm ever since doing system design, load calcs, drafting. I enjoy the work, the problem is the industry has slowed down incredibly, and we've had to lay a few people off this year. The learning curve is looking pretty flat, not much work on the horizon. I feel that I'm on the chopping block too in a way.
I've been contemplating a career change for awhile. I have some Solidworks skills that i acquired in school and was thinking of brushing up on them. There appears to be lots of job postings online for Solidworks drafters/designers, although i know nothing of the industry. Would it be a mistake to change career paths? Should i stick it out and continue building experience in HVAC consulting and project management. Any input is appreciated.





RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
This is sort of a fish or cut bait moment, you could devote a few months to getting sharp on SWX or preparing for the April PE (October deadline!). Depends on how much SWX you did in school. I took one ProE course, I don't think it really qualified me to be a Pro/E drafter. I would procure an academic copy or similar to go with whatever 3 inch thick SWX book you plunk down $60 for.
I've worked 2 jobs as an SWX jockey, now I ride AutoCAD as my pony. When I started, I nearly came to the lead designer and said 'excuse me, I think there's been a mistake- this drawing has been done in AutoCAD'. I'm glad I didn't, and I think working w/ ACAD has actually been better for my sense of design, go figure. The first couple months were 2 parts faking it and 8 parts sweat.
I picked up SWX over a summer when I saw my contract in medical compliance winding up. I ground through every example & problem in the Solidworks Essentials and Drawings that SWX vendors provide w/ their training (didn't get the training).
Learn your basics, be confident and jump in. Use common sense, and lots of it. Don't be that guy that other drafters bitch about when they jump into your stuff. I was regularly confounded by a designer that didn't know about configurations and deleted my work instead of changing the assembly to the configuration where it was turned off. Holy WTF, Batman!
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
If you enjoy it, go for it, but keep your PE on the stove.
I'd print out the PE form and ask your boss to sign off, case of actions speaking louder than words.
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
As far as getting jobs go, stress what you already know: handling projects and deadlines and managing ECO documentation. Those skills are transferable.
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
I don't think the rendering capabilities of the student version quite match what full version does.
How much does the full version of the software cost? Does anyone know where i might be able to get an older version for reduced cost? XP Pro compatible?
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
Doing Solidworks would probably not be considered "Engineering". Call the Board - bug them - they will answer your question.
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
Yes, if you are registered at a recognised educational facility.
https:/
" I don't think the rendering capabilities of the student version quite match what full version does."
The student version is the full Premium version of the commercial software, however "Although SolidWorks Student Edition is functionally identical to the SolidWorks software used by professionals in the workplace, certain features make it unsuitable for commercial use."
http://
"How much does the full version of the software cost?"
Last time I checked I think the prices were;
Standard was $5000
Professional was $6500
Premium was $8000
"Does anyone know where i might be able to get an older version for reduced cost?"
Cannot legally be done without a lot of hassle. Buying old versions will put you into Pirate seas.
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
From my experience in Sacramento, it seems the consultant jobs are few and far between these days, and i don't want to wait for things to change... must... act... now.
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
It somehow gets your foot in the door at a company or in an industry sector that offers room for future advancement.
I started out at my current employer as essentially a designer, but quickly got involved in doing engineering work. My official designation is CAD Engineer which is a bit silly (Did they used to have drawing board Engineers?) but in practice I do all sorts from drafting, to analysis to project management... Oh, and my salary is much higher than any mentioned above, though being in Santa Barbara it needs to be.
Also, while SW is a market leader, if you're going to go this way don't get hung up on a particular software if you can help it. Instead aim to become a really good drafter/designer/modeller with you expertise on specific software as a prominent but secondary skill.
You almost certainly didn't learn enough at school to be of much use without a lot of extra work. Drafting standards etc. for 'mechanical design' are different from in the 'civil' type field.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
Your skills are transferable, my company specializes in Heavy Industry, piping and civil/structural, but we still end up with quite a few ducting jobs for ovens, furnaces, etc and the random electrical rooms that need cooling.
I agree that taking a job as a solidwerks designer is a step backwards.
Oh and we just had an engineer take the PE in California after just being out of college for 2 years.
PS don't tell the board you do drafting or they will not accept your experience. Be sure to tell them about all the Engineering work, calculations, planning, specifying, reviewing drawings etc.
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
I interviewed with another consulting firm yesterday. The interview went great. The work consists of cogeneration design, wastewater treatment facility rennovation, and also Bio-gas harvesting. And as you said KDL2002 the skills are very much transferable. If they offer me a job, I'll probably take it. If not... then im looking into a career change.
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
He is the only one in our office that has tried this.
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
There is plenty of engineering to do as a designer. Do what you enjoy and in my experience there is plenty of upward mobility within no matter what lowly position you start in. I have found being a team player, pleasant and detail oriented has gotten me plum projects over arrogant pe's. Good luck to you!!
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
I guess i will not be making the transition to a 'Solidworks designer' at this juncture. I may still practice with the software from time to time because you
RE: Career Change - HVAC Consultant to Solidworks Designer
More inventing, less paperwork, hourly + OT, bullseye resting on the engineer's back.