I’ve always said ” the day I stop learning is the first day of the end of my career”. The key to not only success, but also to longevity is education. Hearing the word education most often strikes up an image of going to school. This is always an excellent way to pursue knowledge about your chosen craft, but in today’s world “seeking an education” takes on a whole new meaning.
There will always be benefits to attending a class on your subject of interest assuming you do your research, and choose a class that covers the topics that you are looking for. I also recommend meeting the instructor prior to signing up to get a feel for their style, and to see if you will be able to relate to them. Many times the biggest take- aways from participating in a class are the shared experiences with the other students. Group classes are also a good opportunity for networking, and building long standing relationships within your area of interest.
With that said there are many ways to further your knowledge on a subject without ever leaving your home or office. You Tube can be a great resource if you are willing to spend some time looking for a well done video tutorial on your topic of interest such as the ones found here on the CAD LAB site. If you are looking for something more in depth, and structured you can go one step deeper and find a web based training program. These take on many shapes and forms, so the key here is to find a program with quality information presented in a way that will be easy to understand. You will find this type of training at many price points so be sure to do your research. Remember the right training at the right price is an investment in yourself as well as participating in an online forum.
Many computer programs such as AutoCAD have an education right under the help icon. In the case of AutoCAD this is very in depth, and becoming familiar with this resource will improve your ability to answer your own questions.
And don’t forget the old standby ….A book…the right book can be a resource that will last for years to come. If you are looking for a book on AutoCAD I have some of my favorites listed on the resources page of the CAD LAB site.
Identify your learning needs, invest in yourself, and improve your path to success….
Jeffrey Lupp-
Founder/Educator at CAD LAB