How Do I Become a Structural Technician?

Structural technicians are individuals who use science and math to help engineers to create drawings of buildings, bridges, and other objects that will be created as well as to assist with the selection of construction sites. An individual who wants to become a structural technician should complete four years of post-secondary education and complete an internship to gain real-world experience. He or she can additionally consider earning industry software certifications to make himself or herself more attractive to potential employers.

If you desire to become a structural technician, you should complete a bachelor’s degree in engineering, which typically requires four years of study. Although some industry positions demand that applicants have only high school-level training or two-year associate degrees, other companies require candidates to have four-year degrees, so earning a bachelor’s degree makes you more competitive in the job market. To get into this type of college program, you need to send in your high school transcript as well as your high school diploma or the equivalent certification. Your desired educational institution also will ask you to submit a completed admission application along with your latest standardized exam results.

Building-related courses teach you the information required to embark on a career in this field. For instance, you must study topics such as analyzing the structures of various objects being erected by focusing on how different materials behave, while other courses cover computer-aided drafting (CAD). You will use these skills when you become a structural technician because this type of professional is responsible for designing objects while ensuring that these items comply with established standards and codes.

Your college training program might require that you complete an internship before you graduate. Even if acquiring hands-on training is not mandatory before you earn your degree, you should do this to sharpen your industry skills. You can contact your college’s career services department to find out about engineering firms in your area that are willing to work with someone who aspires to become a structural technician. As an intern, your goal needs to be to master computer software used to create accurate illustrations for how buildings should be established, for example. If you can prove to your supervisor that you understand the requirements of this complex role, you could be offered a full-time job with the organization.

Acquiring certifications also is helpful as you begin your job search. Vendors of industry design software offer examinations that a person who wishes to become a structural technician can take to become certified in the use of these products. The tests allow you to prove to companies that you know how to use the software efficiently, thus increasing your chance of claiming a position in this field.