2D is a dead duck? I'm sorry to say, but there is no way you can not use 2D, especially in the AE industry. Even if you did all of your buildings in 3d, you still have to do details and sections which would have to be 2D. There is always going to be a 2D element.
Also, basic 2D drafting is fundamental for everything else about the CAD or engineering industry. If you don't know how to do a simple 2D drawing, how do expect to do a complicated 3D one? Also, if you are in an engineering role, you are going to need to be able to produce sketches, which would require some knowledge of how to actually draw.
I see nothing wrong with working as a drafter for a year or two before moving into an actual engineering role. It gives you a chance to learn how things go together, etc. It would also give you an advantage compared to other engineers that don't know how to draft. It's more productive for an engineer to draft up a detail in CAD once, than to draw it on paper, hand it to a drafter, have him draft it up, come back to the engineer if he has questions or it doesn't quite work the way it was sketched, go back and fix those issues, print it out, show it to the engineer... you get the point. If you have that extra bit of knowledge, it's only going to help you in the long run.
