Island Drafting and Technical Institute

From sprawling suburbs to gleaming metropolises, the visionary work of architects can be felt throughout our daily lives. But making the jump from a daring design to real-world construction isn't possible without the help of drafters, or CADD (Computer Aided Design and Drafting) operators, who work side-by-side with architects to turn their concepts into concrete works of art.

Compared to an architectural career, which requires five to seven years of postsecondary education and three years of practical training in the industry, drafting requires significantly less time studying. In fact at Island Drafting and Technical Institute in Amityville, New York, students can graduate with an associate degree in drafting in as few as 15 months.

"If someone is interested in construction or in the design of buildings -- be it homes, skyscrapers, or shopping centers -- you would consider drafting as something you might be interested in," says John DiLiberto, vice president of the school. "Drafting is the language of engineering and architecture. If you want to convey a message about how something works and how it looks etc., you draft an illustration of it."

Founded in 1957, Island Drafting and Technical Institute has prepared students for careers in drafting since the pen-and-pencil days of architecture. Today's drafting courses however, are focused on teaching students how to use CADD computer programs to render their designs, which in turn are 2D representations of three dimensional concepts. With class sizes rarely reaching over 20, Island Drafting and Technical Institute gives students plenty of opportunities to work hands-on in perfecting their skills. They can even land part-time jobs in the industry while still enrolled.

"There was a time when we really discouraged placement before graduation," recalls DiLiberto. "But there are simply so many employers who are desperate for help."

The demand for drafters can even be seen in Island Drafting and Technical Institute's job placement rate for graduates, which is near the 100 percent mark. According to DiLiberto, there are companies that trust the education and training that the school provides and regularly look at graduating classes for prospective employees.

If you're interested in attending Island Drafting and Technical Institute, you don't have to worry about submitting SAT or ACT scores. What matters to the school is whether you have a high school diploma (or GED) and if you are capable of thinking like a drafter. To prove the latter, you'll take an exam to show that you can successfully discern various spatial-relations -- a must-have ability for would-be drafters, says DiLiberto.

Since Island Drafting and Technical Institute stresses technical and architectural understanding over standardized test scores, a wider range of students is able to benefit from their course offerings.

"I'm proud of the fact that students come in here who may have struggled in school," says DiLiberto. "We get them and put them out with a degree and unique skills. I think that's something to be proud of."

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