Rekha Bhardwaj saw computer-aided design and drafting (CAD) training as her ticket to a good job in Canada. She already had experience with AutoCAD 2D in her native India, but she knew she needed to get familiar with a wider range of design software.
She’d heard positive things about Herzing College, so she took the leap and enrolled. Sixteen months later, she graduated and got hired as a designer at a sheet metal fabricator—the very same company where she’d done her internship.
We spoke with Rekha this week to learn more about her experience at Herzing and how it prepared her for a career. Read on for the highlights.
Q. Can you share a bit about your background? What were you doing before Herzing?
Rekha: I have a diploma in electrical and electronics engineering from India. I spent about a year and a half working as a CAD drafter, but only in AutoCAD 2D. I didn’t have experience with 3D and the other software like Revit, 3DS Max, and SolidWorks Inventor. I was just doing line drawings with AutoCAD 2D.
After that, I got a Bachelor of Business Administration through an online program.
Then I wanted to start working in Canada. I thought maybe if I pursued further studies in AutoCAD, that would help me get a good job here. So I enrolled in Herzing College.
Q. What made you choose Herzing?
Rekha: A few of my friends did their studies through Herzing, so I thought it was a good choice.
Q. How would you describe your overall experience?
Rekha: It really prepared me for the job market. Throughout the course, we were given projects and assignments that were related to the real world. For instance, there was one called Global Project where we had to choose a building from any part of the world and use Revit software to design that building. I chose one from my country and it came out exactly the way it looks, so I was very proud of that.
The instructor, Roberto Romano, was so patient and he always encouraged me. I would send him messages at all hours and he would promptly respond to solve my problem.
Q. How was the general vibe in class?
Rekha: Whenever we had discussions on Teams, we asked questions and solve issues. We knew each other’s weak areas—that is, we knew where each person was finding it difficult and we could compare with each other.
Q. Tell us about your internship. Where did you work and what kinds of things did you do?
Rekha: I actually did my internship with two companies.
The first was with DeepSight, an augmented reality company. They have a virtual reality type software that helps factories or schools with employee or student training. So if you want to install a big machine, you wear the headset and the software guides you through the process step by step. First you have to press this button and go straight; when it turns red, do this thing, and so on.
To make those instructions, they need signs, like arrow signs, pattern signs, sometimes the part of the machine. They need a build library of those components—and those components were designed by me. I built their library.
After one month, I got a call from Proto Plus Precision about an internship with them. They are sheet metal fabricators. I went for the interview and saw that the company was doing exactly what I wanted to do. They had a big factory in the backside of the office and they fabricate parts for construction, machines, etc. They do work for big companies like Bombardier and VIA Rail.
I grabbed that opportunity because I knew I would learn the whole fabrication process. My design manager showed me how first we design it, and then it goes to production where they do some cutting, milling, bending to achieve the final result.
Sometimes big metal parts came in from companies and we needed to reconstruct them. We had to take measurements using different instruments, like a vernier caliper. We had to check technical things like the size of the drill or the thread inside a hole.
It was really good experience for me. In fact, Proto Plus hired me straight out of my internship. I now work as a designer for them.
Q. What would you say are the most important skills for a CAD designer?
Rekha: You have to pay attention to tiny details. Precision is very important.
As a designer, your drawings should be understood by fabricators or whoever is going to work with them. If they have questions or concerns, you should be available to clarify and explain. There’s a fair amount of communication involved.
Q. What advice would you give someone who was considering taking the CAD program at Herzing?
Rekha: I would say to fully immerse yourself. This is your chance to learn, so ask as many questions as you can. And when you are doing your internship, always seek guidance from your seniors. If you are ready to learn, then nobody can stop you.
This program is very helpful. We do real projects. You will find that when you start a job or internship, what you did in the course was really helpful because you know 70 per cent of the job. The remaining 30 per cent is how you will present it, and you will learn that as you go.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAD PROGRAM AT HERZING
Herzing College’s computer-aided design and drafting program takes just 16 months to complete. Students get hands-on practice with real projects related to manufacturing, engineering, and architectural drafting. They also complete an intensive four-month internship.
Still have questions? An admissions advisor can walk you through the details of the program and help you decide if it’s right for you.
Click below to get more information on the CAD program and chat live with an advisor. We’re here to help!
