Work Experience
From Sketches to Structures: My Start in Architectural Drafting
Proposed Conference Room By Bradley Cork
My first real job in architecture was as a Junior Drafter during a summer break. I worked from May to August, sometimes staying late when we had big projects. My job began with visiting homes and sometimes commercial buildings to take measurements and draw initial sketches. These early drawings were simple — just the basics of what the buildings looked like from various angles.
Back at the office, I'd use Revit to turn these sketches into detailed plans, adding in things like site plans and construction notes. As I got better and earned more trust, my bosses gave me tougher tasks, like designing permit drawings for big changes, such as adding new basements or changing up living room layouts. Every design had to meet the Ontario Building Code, which was a challenge but taught me a lot.
Leaving the job to return to school wasn't easy, but the experience was invaluable. It didn't just build my skills—it boosted my confidence and really kicked off my career in architecture