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Management

Dialog Box October 2007

30 Sep, 2007 By: Cadalyst Staff

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Readers have their say.

TALK TO US For your letter to be considered for publication, please include your full name and daytime telephone number. Letters are subject to editing for length and clarity. Send letters to: Cadalyst Dialog Box editors@cadalyst.com

Setting My Own Pace
This letter is a response to the article in the September 2007 Dialog Box titled "Falling Behind . . ." I feel your pain. I too was left behind. I thought of myself as a power user. That is, until a colleague gave me a copy of Cadalyst a few years ago. It had been a long time since I read one of these. I was blissful in my ignorance of the outside CAD world. My skill set included only those skills that I needed in my previous jobs. I had no idea what a BIM was or an AEC. I was working in AEC at the time and didn't know it. I started reading Cadalyst and AutoCAD blogs, etc. I slowly gained momentum and began using acronyms around the office. I quickly realized how easy it is to be ignorant of your own chosen profession.

A few years ago I attended a CAD training conference sponsored by AUGI (Autodesk User Group International.) The main speaker said, "You don't know what you don't know." I'll never forget that. I learned many tricks that day. The greatest lesson learned was that only I could make sure that I am properly trained. Realizing this, I changed my perspective on learning. I approached my employer about training. I applied to a local school and asked my employer for assistance. I bookmarked every CAD blog and news site that I could find. Now, I have a much better understanding and working knowledge of my chosen industry.

I have found that the best way to get an opportunity to learn or an opportunity to contribute is to ask for it. If rejected, look for it. If you can't find it, make it.

In Search of AutoCAD LT
Can you tell me who is selling the latest version of AutoCAD LT in my area? Best Buy? -- no. Computer Warehouse? -- no. Sales demand is greatly diminished here.

Editors Respond
You should be able to locate an Autodesk reseller in your area using Reseller Center on the Autodesk Web site (go to Purchase, then Locate a Reseller). We entered "AutoCAD LT" and your Zip code and were presented with several options. You also can buy directly from the Autodesk store (go to Purchase, then Shop Online). Good luck.