Hinds Community College Blog

Engineering Drafting and Design Technology

Choosing a career is stressful! What if you make a mistake?  Don’t worry; pick a path that feels right for you now and know that most people don’t stick with the same line of work for their entire life.  Make the smartest decision you can today and make plans to re-evaluate down the road as your goals and objectives change.  With that being said, let’s explore some possibilities! 

Are you detail oriented and pay close attention to accuracy? Do you like to identify and solve problems? Do you have excellent interpersonal skills and enjoy working independently as well as with a team?  Are you able to work efficiently under strict deadlines? If these qualities describe you, then a career in engineering drafting might be a great choice for you!

The Engineering Drafting and Design Technology program at Hinds Community College is an instructional program designed to educate students in the design of projects in the field of technical graphic representation. Engineering drafters have strong interests in creating drawings for a variety of mechanical and civil projects. They must also possess excellent mechanical skills, mathematical skills, knowledge of design materials, and fluency in computer-aided design software and have visual aptitude in addition to having a solid knowledge of construction procedures. 

What Do Engineering CAD Technicians Do?

• Design plans using computer aided design software

• Work from rough drafts created by engineers to produce detailed drawings

• Use their knowledge to add details to plans

• Pay attention to scale

• Proof drawings

• Prepare multiple versions of design plans for review

• Work under the supervision of engineers

What Are My Career Path Options In This Field?

There are multiple specialties within the engineering drafting and design occupation. Aeronautical drafters prepare drawings and plans for aeronautic devices such as aircraft and missiles. Civil drafters prepare drawings and maps used in civil engineering and infrastructure design. Electrical drafters design plans and drawings detailing the layout and wiring diagrams used to repair and install electric equipment. Electronics drafters draw wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, schematics, and layout drawings used in the manufacture, installation, and repair of electronic devices and components. Mechanical drafters prepare drawings showing the detail and method of assembly of a wide variety of machinery and mechanical devices, indicating dimensions, fastening methods, and other requirements. Process piping or pipeline drafters prepare drawings used in the layout, construction, and operation of oil and gas fields, refineries, chemical plants, and process piping systems.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary wages for detailed drafting occupations in May 2012 were as follows:

• $55,700 for electrical and electronics drafters

• $50,360 for mechanical drafters

• $47,870 for civil drafters

• $46,110 for drafters, all other

Need More Information?

This program is located on the Raymond and Jackson ATC campuses of Hinds Community College.  For more information on Engineering Drafting and Design Technology program, contact Phil Cockrell (Raymond Campus) at pcockrell@hindscc.edu or 601.857.3422 and/or Shawn Stiff (Jackson-ATC Campus) at Shawn.Stiff@hindscc.edu) or 601.987.8146.

Diesel Equipment Technology - Career training, credentials and a paycheck in your pocket!

What do you want to be when you grow up? It’s been said that people spend more time planning their vacations than their careers. Since a big part of your life is what you do for a living, career planning is something everyone should do. Vacations are “special” but shouldn’t your career be special too? Let's start planning your career! Are you customer service oriented? Do you possess mechanical and trouble shooting skills? Do you like knowing how things operate? All of these are characteristics of a diesel equipment technician. Let's take a look at the Diesel Equipment Technology program at Hinds Community College's Raymond Campus.

The Diesel Equipment Technology program provides students with competencies required to maintain and repair a variety of industrial diesel equipment including agricultural tractors, commercial trucks, and construction equipment. The program includes instruction in inspection, repair, and maintenance of engines, power trains, hydraulic systems, and other components.  The curriculum is based upon the ASE Certification for Medium/Heavy Truck Technician Training Programs, which serves as a national standard for certification of technicians.

What Diesel Mechanics/Technicians Do?

Diesel service technicians inspect and repair equipment such as trucks, dozers, cranes and commercial boats as well as medium duty vehicles powered by diesel engines. They may work on everything from a vehicle’s electrical system to the power train.

As engines and other components use more electronic systems which rely on microprocessors technicians often use hand-held or laptop computers to diagnose problems and adjust engine functions. In addition, diesel mechanics use a variety of power and machine tools, such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, grinding machines, and welding equipment. Hand tools, including pliers, socket and ratchets, and screwdrivers, are commonly used.

Diesel service technicians and mechanics typically do the following:

• Follow a checklist of inspection procedures

• Diagnose malfunctions

• Read and interpret diagnostic test results

• Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, transmissions, engines, and other parts of vehicles

• Do routine maintenance, such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and parts

• Adjust and align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and attach system components

• Repair or replace malfunctioning components, parts, and other mechanical or electrical equipment

• Test-drive vehicles to ensure that they run smoothly

What About Job Opportunities?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for diesel service technicians and mechanics is projected to grow 9% through 2022. Demand for new workers in the freight trucking and automotive repair and maintenance industries is expected to drive overall diesel mechanic job growth.

Students will find the Diesel Equipment Technology program has an excellent reputation with local industries looking for skilled workers and placement of students who complete the program is a top priority. Graduates of the Diesel Equipment Technology program are typically employed at a variety of repair facilities that service the trucking and heavy equipment industry with an entry-level salary range of $12 to $16 hourly. 

This Diesel Equipment Technology program is located on the Raymond campus of Hinds Community College. For more information, Brent Johnson at (ABJohnson@hindscc.edu) or 601.857.3478 and Christopher Woodard at (Christopher.Woodard@hindscc.edu ) or 601.857.3424.