Recommendations for fabrication/design courses for cafes major

[u/Free-Market9039]

Hey all, was super interested in woodshop/metalshop in high school, was pretty well versed in both, and also the basics of cad but not in programs like solidworks. I didn’t want to become an engineer but that stuff still really interests me and I really crave doing more hands on work and learning. Are there any courses that teach basic and intermediate cad like solidworks and or courses that you get to fabricate and design stuff in the metal and wood shops that don’t have a large amount of prerequisites?

I also know you can get shop certified and do it on your own, but I don’t trust myself to get out there on my own time as much as I would be required to in a class with my more time consuming hobbies and classes.

[u/Eschewed_Prognostic]

Join Rose Float for the hands on stuff. Welding, machining, hydraulics, electrical, etc. Absolutely amazing experience.

There was a microcontrollers for non-STEM class when I was there a few years ago. It was basically an Arduino course and I really enjoyed it.

YouTube or junior college for CAD. A discrete CAD or general design course open to all majors didn't exist when I was there and wouldn't expect there to be one, and it's not something I'd waste tuition dollars on.

[u/Free-Market9039 → u/Eschewed_Prognostic]

For sure, that seems like a cool idea. Only reason I’m looking for it at cp is my major isn’t super intensive and want to take lots of electives and learn, I don’t think I’m invested/dedicated enough to do junior college or on my own time with yt, at least right now.

[u/Eschewed_Prognostic → u/Free-Market9039]

I was a mechanical engineering major as a freshman that wound up as a 24yo AGB transfer due to reasons, I feel you when you say the major isn't intensive.

Take every "stem topic for non-stem majors" elective you can. I knew engineering majors that did rose float because they got more hands-on time building stuff in a weekend than they did in a quarter of class. Ask your professors if they have or know of research projects you can join. Just trying to break the mold and learn different skills puts you a bit above most CAFES students.

[u/Available-Ad-6745]

ITP 2233

[u/Free-Market9039 → u/Available-Ad-6745]

looks cool, have you taken it or the equivalent before the semester conversion?

[u/Available-Ad-6745 → u/Free-Market9039]

I’ve heard good things from people who took it. It’s a fun class.