[Carlos Nieto]

Hi all, my name is Carlos Nieto and am interested in a career change as a pipe designer. I have been in the pipe industry for about 5 years now as a CWI (certified welding inspector) and just recently as an API-570 In-Service Pipe inspector. I have enrolled at the local community college in a Mechanical Engineering Technology A.A.S. degree which has some drafting classes but only one pipe drafting elective. Is this course necessary for my plans or should I just take a drafting certificate. There is a community college that has a drafting certificate that specializes in piping but costs double the amount of my A.A.S and is not as centrally located as the one I’m enrolled in. I figured that with the degree I would have a better chance of getting a job quicker than someone with just the certificate.

[Carlos Nieto]

Jop,
What kind of experience would you say is necessary to be successful as an entry level piping designer? I am writing a paper on the matter in one of my classes and would like some insight from established pipers.

[Carlos Nieto]

I don’t understand Jop, one of the class assignments as part of my A.A.S in Mechanical Engineering Technology is to write a paper on the career we would like to have. I chose pipe design, as my career path because I would like to be one. No need to get angry, sir. That is why I was asking about the education and necessary experience. It is something that truly interests me enough to change careers.

[Carlos Nieto]

???

[Jayson Murdock]

So I see the post count and for some reason they’re skipping a number and I don’t see any replies from JOP – He’s not blocked so what happened?

Missing 8995, 8997, 9001-9003.

[Carlos Nieto]

I think he got upset because of a miss understanding. As stated I’m attending school for a Mechanical Engineering Technology degree, one of my classes requires us to write a paper on our future career, I chose Pipe Designer. I asked Mr. Jop about needed experience and he got upset because i wasn’t clear enough with my questions, I guess.

[Mark Layport]

cnieto77 …I think your plan is a good one (to get a degree in “drafting”) and add the one piping class to your curriculum. Actually that’s how I did it! I have an AA in mechanical drafting, and added the piping class later. The BIG advantage I got was getting a job at a major engineering company that did piping training, and I was able to take advantage of it.
There are differences in mechanical drafting and pipe drafting, but not that much. I’m a design/drafting supervisor now, and when I go thur piping package my team has done (plus other companies) there is a big issue with drafting! Almost everybody can run rings around me on the 3D cad system, but about 65% of all the errors I catch are basic drafting errors! BECAUSE every body has minimal drafting education and a certificate for some 3D piping program. …We find it’s easier to teach someone piping, then getting a 3D piper and try to teach them (good) drafting procedures, not sure why, but it’s just the way it is.
PS – IF after you do all this, and you still think your pipe training is lacking, you can go to the other college and just “cherry pick” the piping classes you feel that would be beneficial to your education. Doing classes here and there would be far cheaper then signing up for the whole curriculum. …Good Luck!

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