Computer-Aided Design Technology Internship

Course Description

ETD2949 is a cooperative education internship in the Engineering Design Drafting discipline, classified under Engineering Technologies in the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course provides students with structured, supervised work experience at an approved employer site in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry or a related CAD/drafting field. Students apply classroom theory and technical skills to real-world professional projects under the joint guidance of a workplace supervisor and a college faculty advisor. Individual competencies will vary depending on the employer (host site) and the specific discipline within the industry. The course is typically offered as a graded or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) elective within the Computer-Aided Drafting and Design A.S. degree program and may be repeatable for additional credit hours.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Apply computer-aided drafting and design skills acquired in the classroom to produce technical drawings and documentation in a professional work environment.
Demonstrate proficiency with industry-standard CAD software (such as AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor, or Civil 3D) as required by the host employer.
Follow professional workplace standards, including attendance, communication, deadlines, and organizational policies.
Complete a minimum number of supervised internship hours as specified by the college (typically 90–100 hours for 3 credit hours) at an approved host site.
Maintain a journal or activity log documenting tasks performed, skills applied, and lessons learned throughout the internship experience.
Receive and act upon performance evaluations from both the on-site supervisor and the college faculty advisor.
Demonstrate the ability to translate design specifications into accurate working drawings conforming to nationally recognized drafting standards (e.g., ANSI/ASME Y14).

Optional Outcomes

Depending on the host site discipline and college, students may also:

Participate in project coordination meetings with engineers, architects, project managers, or fabricators.
Prepare 3D parametric models or Building Information Models (BIM) for construction or manufacturing projects.
Assist with civil drafting tasks such as parcel layouts, roadway alignments, profiles, and grading diagrams.
Contribute to mechanical or structural design documentation including assemblies, orthographic projections, and detail drawings.
Develop a professional portfolio of work samples produced during the internship for use in future employment applications.
Attend employer-facilitated professional development seminars or site-specific safety orientations.
Complete a final internship report or presentation summarizing competencies gained and career goals refined.

Major Topics

Required Topics

Internship Orientation and Site Integration — Workplace policies, safety procedures, organizational structure, and software/hardware familiarization at the host site.
Professional CAD Production Work — Application of 2D and/or 3D CAD drafting skills to employer-assigned projects using industry-standard software.
Drafting Standards Compliance — Producing drawings that adhere to ANSI/ASME Y14 or other nationally recognized technical drawing standards.
Supervised Hour Tracking and Reporting — Logging and documenting all internship hours, tasks, and outcomes per college requirements.
Faculty Advisor Communication — Regular check-ins, progress reports, and performance evaluations coordinated between the student, on-site mentor, and college advisor.
Workplace Professionalism — Punctuality, professional communication, teamwork, and adherence to employer human resources policies.

Optional / Site-Dependent Topics

Architectural and Construction Documentation — Floor plans, elevations, sections, schedules, and construction details for AEC projects (if placed at an architectural or construction firm).
Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Drawings — Part models, assembly drawings, and manufacturing documentation (if placed at a mechanical/manufacturing employer).
Civil Engineering Drafting — Property surveys, contour maps, roadway profiles, and cut/fill diagrams (if placed at a civil engineering or municipal firm).
BIM / 3D Modeling Workflows — Building Information Modeling using Revit or similar platforms for coordinated design documentation.
Capstone Portfolio Development — Assembly of professional work samples and project documentation for career use.
Industry Seminars — Employer- or college-facilitated professional development sessions as a supplemental course component.

Resources & Tools

CAD Software (host site–provided): Autodesk AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor, Civil 3D; Dassault SolidWorks; PTC Creo — depending on employer discipline.
Internship Agreement / Learning Contract: A signed document specifying learning objectives, tasks, deliverables, and timeline, co-signed by the student, on-site mentor, and faculty advisor.
Hour Log / Activity Journal: Student-maintained record of all internship hours and tasks completed, submitted to the faculty advisor.
College Career Services / Internship Coordinator: Facilitates employer partnerships, site approvals, and registration processes at participating Florida colleges.
ANSI/ASME Y14 Standards Reference: Nationally recognized technical drawing and drafting standards used in professional practice.
Employer Performance Evaluation Forms: Standardized rubrics used by the on-site supervisor to assess student competencies and professional conduct.

Career Pathways

Completion of ETD2949 provides students with verified professional experience that strengthens employment prospects in the following fields:

Mechanical/Aerospace Drafter — Creating detailed part and assembly drawings for manufacturing and aerospace companies (e.g., L3Harris, Boeing subcontractors).
Architectural Drafter / BIM Technician — Producing construction documents for architectural and engineering firms.
Civil Drafting Technician — Supporting survey, land development, roadway, and municipal infrastructure projects.
Structural Design Drafter — Documenting structural systems for commercial, residential, or industrial construction projects.
CAD/CAM Technician — Combining drafting with computer-aided manufacturing for CNC machining environments.
Design Technician / Junior Designer — Entry-level pathway toward lead drafter, project designer, or project management roles in AEC and manufacturing industries.

According to Florida state data, most Computer-Aided Design A.S. programs at Florida colleges report placement rates above 90 percent. The internship experience frequently leads directly to job offers upon graduation.

Special Information

Enrollment Requirements

Students must typically have completed at least 75% of their CAD/Drafting A.S. degree program before enrolling in the internship course.
Instructor or department consent is required for registration. Students must secure an approved host site prior to enrollment.
A signed Internship Learning Contract / Agreement specifying objectives, tasks, and timeline must be submitted before hours may begin counting toward the course.
A minimum of 90–100 supervised internship hours at an approved employer site is required for 3 credit hours (individual college requirements may vary).
This course may be repeated for additional credit (up to 6 credit hours total, depending on institution) if the student's academic program allows.

Industry Certification Alignment

The internship experience complements and reinforces preparation for industry-recognized certifications commonly pursued within the CAD/Drafting A.S. program, including:

Autodesk Certified User (ACU) or Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) — AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor, Civil 3D
Dassault Systèmes Certified Associate — SolidWorks (CSWA)

Some Florida colleges (e.g., Eastern Florida State College) offer college credit toward the program for students who have already passed qualifying industry certification exams prior to enrollment.