What does a drafting internship do?
Drafting interns perform jobs like designing engineering drawings and visual aids, forming the detailed layout execution of distinct mechanical parts, resolve design problems in BIM models and visual presentations. Also, the pattern of new products, alter existing products using SOLIDWORKS, estimate the shipboard pipe systems, and develop a superficial model of NIDA glider using CATIA V5. Additionally, they aid field technicians in gathering field information points with GPS units, counsel less experience BIM designers in discrete parts of the country through the phone, and enhance drawings in both Revit and AutoCAD in line with the instructions provided by the architect.
Drafting internship responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real drafting internship resumes:
- Manage database and set projects against MEP, HSE, and ADA requirements.
- Construct engineering drawings and visual aids for mold and fabricate wheel design using SolidWorks.
- Create BOM for assemblies using ERP system.
- Conduct site walk downs and sketch information require for design.
- Generate and maintain BOM and provide sales and manufacturing drawings as needed.
- Utilize SolidWorks to recreate medical devices drawing and perform testing on medical devices.
- Check 3D models and BOMs for accuracy; examine 3D models for critical mate errors and sketch issues.
- Work in both AutoCAD and Revit to create kitchen floor plans, electrical, and plumbing plans for food service equipment.
- Communicate with engineers, contractors and clients, coordinating and meeting to stay current with progress of HVAC design and installation.
- Consult with contractors and engineers about HVAC requirements associate with food preparation.
- Create and render photo realistic Revit model to run lighting calculations for minimum foot-candle requirements.
- Assign to develop complete working drawings, including architectural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing documents for countrywide restaurants.
- Incorporate industry standards into designs, such as ASME and ANSI formats.
- Prepare and updates progress reports iso drawings.
- Determine practicality of design and material selection by using drafting method per ANSI Y14 and DOD-STD-100.
Drafting internship skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Drafting Interns are proficient in PowerPoint, Solidworks, and Aided Design. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Technical skills.
We break down the percentage of Drafting Interns that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- PowerPoint, 17%
Provided editing to PowerPoint presentations.
- Solidworks, 10%
Designed detailed drawings and conducted Simulations using SolidWorks.
- Aided Design, 9%
Implement drafting techniques to accurately create Computer Aided Design drawings.
- Engineering Drawings, 6%
Produced engineering drawings from models.
- Revit, 5%
Created and rendered photo realistic Revit model to run lighting calculations for minimum foot-candle requirements.
- Technical Drawings, 5%
Detailed Technical Drawings of Structural Designs according to specifications.
Common skills that a drafting internship uses to do their job include "powerpoint," "solidworks," and "aided design." You can find details on the most important drafting internship responsibilities below.
Creativity. The most essential soft skill for a drafting internship to carry out their responsibilities is creativity. This skill is important for the role because "drafters must be able to turn plans and ideas into technical drawings of buildings, tools, and systems." Additionally, a drafting internship resume shows how their duties depend on creativity: "prepared 3d renderings from existing engineering drawings using autodesk inventor software. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling drafting internship duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "drafters must take care that the plans they convert are technically accurate according to the outlined specifications." According to a drafting internship resume, here's how drafting interns can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "produced construction drawings and architectural details. "
Technical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of drafting interns is technical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday drafting internship duties, as "drafters in all specialties must be able to use computer software, such as cad, and work with database tools, such as building information modeling (bim)." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "maintained a variety of highly technical printers and plotters. "
Time-management skills. A big part of what drafting interns do relies on "time-management skills." You can see how essential it is to drafting internship responsibilities because "drafters often work under deadline." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical drafting internship tasks: "operated structural autocad and revit to complete structural and civil design tasks before deadline. "
Math skills. A commonly-found skill in drafting internship job descriptions, "math skills" is essential to what drafting interns do. Drafting internship responsibilities rely on this skill because "drafters work on technical drawings." You can also see how drafting internship duties rely on math skills in this resume example: "sketch layout in trailers and complete mathematical calculations. "
The three companies that hire the most drafting internships are:
- Helix Electric5 drafting interns jobs
- Eversource Energy2 drafting interns jobs
- Danfoss2 drafting interns jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable drafting internship resume templates
Build a professional drafting internship resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your drafting internship resume.
Compare different drafting interns
Drafting internship vs. Autocad operator
A computer-aided design (CAD) designer is responsible for creating plan outlines and project designs for a specific business need. A CAD designer utilizes various technologies and software applications to generate graphic illustrations. CAD designers must have strong knowledge of the technology designs, software management, engineering standards, and the construction industry fundamentals. CAD designers label their works with appropriate dimensions and specifications, performing necessary adjustments to meet the clients' needs. A CAD designer requires excellent critical-thinking and analytical skills to manage design structures and creative solutions.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a drafting internship are more likely to require skills like "powerpoint," "creo," "mechanical drafting," and "design software." On the other hand, a job as an autocad operator requires skills like "plumbing," "auto cad," "stairs," and "line diagrams." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
On average, autocad operators reach similar levels of education than drafting interns. Autocad operators are 0.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Drafting internship vs. Computer aided design designer
A mechanical designer is responsible for designing mechanical equipment and devices, together with the engineers and other technology professionals. Mechanical designers create layouts following the clients' specifications, perform structural analysis, and analyze dimensions to ensure quality. They also inspect overall equipment performance and recommend adjustments as needed to improve its quality and boost optimization. Mechanical designers assist with installation and system upgrades, respond with the clients' inquiries and concerns, and escalate it to the appropriate personnel for resolution. A mechanical designer must have a strong knowledge of the mechanical and technology industry to build designs according to the highest standards.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, drafting internship responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "solidworks," "creo," "design software," and "customer drawings." Meanwhile, a computer aided design designer has duties that require skills in areas such as "auto cad," "product development," "gis," and "design projects." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Computer aided design designers may earn a higher salary than drafting interns, but computer aided design designers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $79,713. On the other hand, drafting interns receive higher pay in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $47,037.In general, computer aided design designers achieve similar levels of education than drafting interns. They're 0.4% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Drafting internship vs. Cadd operator
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a drafting internship is likely to be skilled in "powerpoint," "solidworks," "technical drawings," and "creo," while a typical cadd operator is skilled in "civil engineering," "cost estimates," "plumbing," and "survey data."
Most cadd operators achieve a similar degree level compared to drafting interns. For example, they're 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Drafting internship vs. Mechanical designer
Types of drafting internship
Updated January 8, 2025
