Training: Why Are You Waiting for “Training” from Someone Else …
Kung Fu Drafter
Here at Kung Fu Drafter, we are a group of CAD professionals running the gambit from new end users to veteran trainers. Of course, there is everything in between, but we won’t get into that. The point is that we have been at both ends of the spectrum and we have found one thing to be a truism: If you are going to survive as a CAD professional you need training.
That might seem like a pretty obvious thing on the surface, but is it? What, exactly, is “training”? Well it isn’t training like you would train a puppy. Nope, no rolled up newspapers are involved. Well … sometimes. And it certainly isn’t training in the sense that we are headed for the Olympics. Lol, no here at Kung Fu Drafter, our status as “gentlemen of girth” will attest to that. So if we aren’t trying to stop chewing on shoes or run faster, what is “training”?
Ok, now that we have Mr. Webster’s unimpeachable take on training, we can examine its meaning further. So, in this instance, training is an deliberate exercise intended to increase one’s knowledge and/or skill set. Wow, that is pretty heavy. Alright, well that all makes sense. So, where do we get this training?
Too often we hear CAD professionals say that they expect their employer to provide that training. Actually, to be more exact, we hear that these CAD professionals are WAITING for their employer to provide that training. While we agree that having someone else foot the bill for your training is always a great twist, it’s not always a lock. Nope, sometimes you just have to do things yourself.
This all seems pretty obvious an straight forward. So why is it so hard for people to get training? Well we have two reasons and they are really, really simple. The first reason: People can’t get training because their bosses are cheap and not very forward thinking. The second reason is even simpler: You are lazy.
That’s right, we said it. You are lazy.
Do you think trainers are born? Are we somehow magically summoned when the boss finally gets around to writing a check? No. Trainers are on a constant journey to improve their skills and expand their technical capability. They use books, online courses, videos, and (the greatest secret of all) the help menu. These are the tools power users use to become trainers. And they are there for you too.
The boss won’t flip you the scratch to bring in a trainer? Fine, visit YouTube or a blog. Can’t get three days away to attend a seminar? Fine, buy one of the many fine training manuals like A Practical Guide to Civil 3D. Does your new expensive software have features you don’t understand? Fine, order one of the comprehensive training DVD sets like Advanced AutoCAD 2012.
Are you getting the idea? There is no reason that any CAD professional should be without training whether the boss pays for it or not. In this day and age there are just too many economical sources of training for anyone who cares about their career to not improve their skill set.
We hope we have driven home both the importance of being trained and the importance of taking your training into your own hands. If we can do it, you can do it. However, if you are just dying to spend money drop us a line …
- KFD -
Image credits: Whole Wheat Toast, Virginia Guard Public Affairs, Merriam-Webster, and Hector Garcia.
Reader Comments (3)
I couldn't agree more! The first step is to try and get your employer to train you. When that fails, and it will, it is up to you to make you better. Don't wait for others to make you great, get up and make yourself great!!
Great post. Looking out for #1 is essential to everyone's career in this day and age.
Here is another self improvement article which had an impact on me recently that your readers may enjoy: http://the99percent.com/articles/7094/The-Future-of-Self-Improvement-Part-I-Grit-Is-More-Important-Than-Talent
hi Kung Fu Drafter...
good Article. its would be new spirit for practices.
I'll waiting your another articles for my subscribing.
thank you and regards from me, structural Drafter..