Marco Torres Carranza
High School: Searcy  •   Age: 20  •  Training: Arkansas State University–Beebe
Degree: Associate Degree in Computer Aided Drafting & Design
Employer: Cedar Creek LLC in North Little Rock

"Growing up poor, the idea of paying for [a four-year college degree] seemed so far away. [This] was affordable and I’m not in any kind of debt. I saw the opportunity to make good money without numerous years of schooling."

THIS OPTION IS FOR YOU IF...

√ You’re detail-oriented with an eye for the fine print
√ You’re good with and love computers
√ You’re creative or artistic

What does a CAD/CAM drafter do?
Computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) drafters take the vision of an architect or engineer and use computer software to create 2D design drawings or 3D simulations to aid in production. Drafters can work in a broad range of fields, so their designs could lead to sleek electronics or towering buildings.

Job Outlook
+7%
Expected growth from 2016 to 2026 in the United States

Responsibilities

• Develop plans or layouts utilizing computer-aided design software
• Work with architects or engineers to create accurate designs for products
• Include precise details such as the dimensions and materials
• Communicate with the company about codes, standards and specifications

Early Drafters
Some of the greatest artists of all time used drafting techniques to create, including Leonardo da Vinci. They used drawings to propose designs for the creation of mechanisms and buildings.

MORE FROM MARCO

What surprised you most about this career?
“What surprised me the most was all the different directions I could go with the profession. I have the option to pursue jobs related to architecture and civil drafting, or I could go more to the mechanical side designing everyday items such as vehicles, tools and furniture.”

High-end earners (top 10%) make
$61,673

Average Wages in Arkansas
$36,790 - Annual | $17.69 - Hourly

TRAINING PROGRAMS
Arkansas Construction Education Foundation
Arkansas State University-Beebe^*
East Arkansas Community College
National Park College
North Arkansas College
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
Southeast Arkansas College
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith-College of Applied Science & Technology

READY TO HIRE YOU!
ABB Motors & Mechanical
Action Mechanical
Associated General Contractors
Caterpillar
CenterPoint Energy
Hytrol
Lexicon
Nucor Steel Arkansas
Nucor-Yamato
Pace Industries
Tyson Foods

*ASU-Beebe system also represents: ASU-Beebe (Searcy Campus), ASU-Beebe (Heber Springs Campus) and ASU-Beebe (Little Rock Air Force Base)
SOURCES: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics / Be Pro Be Proud / PayScale / Projections Managing Partnership / Marty Bowie

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