AvantART_Issue 2

STUDENT TESTIMONIAL
As a returning student looking to find a new career path after being
a stay-at-home mom for over a decade, it was a challenge to find
an area of study where I could feel confident of building off the
experiences and knowledge I gained during my previous career.
CAD
Prior to attending FRCC, I worked in a computer-related field and
have always enjoyed drawing, so I was intrigued by the CAD
Certificate program. The first semester was challenging because I
struggled to balance duties as a mother with the expectations of
being a full-time student. I relied on instructor office hours, CAD lab
hours, and the assistance offered by my classmates to be successful.
Ultimately, I knew I made the right choice when I successfully earned
the Basic CAD certificate. After speaking with the CAD Program
Director, Mr. Yates, he let me know that there would be more career
opportunities available to me if I completed the degree program. I
accepted the challenge and refocused my efforts on obtaining the
CAD Degree.
This past summer, I participated in an internship with a local
engineering design firm. This experience allowed me to demonstrate
the skills I had acquired through my FRCC coursework and provided
me a valuable opportunity to gain some industry exposure, which will
help with acquiring full-time employment.
The FRCC CAD program offers several certification programs, as well
as classes in architecture, mechanical, and civil disciplines. There are
classes that teach students valuable skills needed in the field such as
print reading for CAD, SketchUp, AutoCAD, Revit, SolidWorks, Fusion,
character modeling and many more. My FRCC instructors are very
helpful, encouraging, and always offer additional support for me to
learn the material properly. The CAD labs are up-to-date and well
equipped, and the 3D print class gave me an opportunity to learn
a skill using the latest technologies on a variety of 3D printers. It has
been a challenging and rewarding journey. The program has given
me the courage to embark on a new career with more confidence.
–Sarah, FRCC Student
Don Rothfuss: Capstone Project: For years, I have
been contemplating the idea of designing and
constructing a Benchtop Lathe. The classes
I’ve taken at FRCC, in pursuit of my Computer
Aided Design and Drafting Associate of Applied
Sciences degree, provided me the knowledge,
experience and tools to design and 3D print this
functional machine for my Capstone project.
The conceptualizing and modeling process was
enjoyable. After hours of modeling the components
and detailing engineering drawings, I refined the
design to accommodate purchased parts to ensure
the design would assemble and function as desired.
After many test prints to help define specific fits for
bearings and other mating parts, assembling the
parts was rewarding and there was very little post
processing. I am very proud of the way this project
turned out, I believe defining a Capstone project
that was rewarding yet challenging and achievable
led to the successful completion of the project.
The FRCC CAD
program is excellent.
This program provided
me with experience in
multiple types of CAD
and allowed me to
focus on the areas
I enjoyed most.
–Don Rothfuss
If you are drawn to technology and
design, join an industry in high
demand and average salaries of
just under 70k. Students are being
offered well-paid internships and jobs
while still in the program.
The CAD program prepares you for
a career as an
• Architectural Modeler/Drafter
• Mechanical Modeler/Drafter
• Animator
• 3D Printer/3D Scanner
CAD
COMPUTER-AIDED
DRAFTING
26 2023 | AVANTART FRCCMGD.COM | 2023 27