How To Become A Drafting Internship: What It Is and Career Path

What is a drafting internship and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted Expert

Teresa Rosano

Drafting interns are individuals who assist architects in drafting plans and designs for the construction of buildings and homes. As an intern, these individuals work as apprentices under the direction of a senior drafter and are typically enrolled in an accredited college degree or certificate program focused in CAD Drafting/Design or a related discipline. These interns should also have some working knowledge of AutoCAD or related drafting software programs.

Drafting interns are mentored in transforming initial sketches and site designs into working documents using CAD software and help to complete civil engineering plans using established specifications and standards. These individuals also help to identify and address issues with architectural designs, conduct inventories of needed materials and supplies, and be willing to learn from other team members. Drafting interns should have strong communication, analytical drafting, computer, and interpersonal skills and have basic proficiency in math.

Most drafting interns are enrolled in a college or certificate program in drafting; however, some organizations may hire an intern who has comparable knowledge or skills. Many drafting interns can expect to make up to $54,000 per year, and the field in the US is expected to hold steady, with 0% growth by 2028.

What general advice would you give to a Drafting Internship?

Teresa Rosano

Assistant Professor of Practice, University of Arizona

Try to obtain a wide variety of experiences so you have exposure to many aspects of the profession.

ScoreDrafting InternshipUS Average

Salary

3.3

Avg. Salary $42,284

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

4.3

Growth Rate -3%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.70%

Asian 7.02%

Black or African American 3.09%

Hispanic or Latino 11.66%

Unknown 5.20%

White 72.33%

Gender

female 26.80%

male 73.20%

Age - 45

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45

Stress Level

4.3

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

5.9

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

6.0

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

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Key steps to become a drafting internship

Explore drafting internship education requirements

Most common drafting internship degrees

Associate

44.1 %

Bachelor's

41.7 %

High School Diploma

6.6 %

Start to develop specific drafting internship skills

Skills	Percentages
PowerPoint	17.33%
Solidworks	9.92%
Aided Design	8.82%
Engineering Drawings	6.19%
Revit	4.91%

Complete relevant drafting internship training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 4-10 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New drafting interns learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a drafting internship based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real drafting internship resumes.

Research drafting internship duties and responsibilities

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.

Prepare your drafting internship resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your drafting internship resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a drafting internship resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Drafting Internship Resume templates

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Apply for drafting internship jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a drafting internship job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do drafting interns rate their job?