I work as a civil designer, its a little more advanced than a CADD drafter. I work for the largest transportation company in the world. Civil meaning roads and highways, along with the other stuff like drainage, traffic, landscaping. I took drafting in high school, graduated in 2005, started taking CADD classes in community college, got offered an internship, turned into full time, now I've been here for 3.5 years, still going to school at nights for Civil Engineering. I have friends that graduated with me and went straight to a 4 year school for engineering and are about to graduate this winter, but have no where near the job experience or income now. I think that going to school part time while working is extremely hard. my days are from 8:30am to 10:30pm work and school. But after I finish I will already have about 6 years experience in engineering, design and drafting, as apposed to a fresh engineer with no experience but classtime. If i could go back would I go to a 4 year school? I dont think so. I would rather have my Crossfire and my first house at the age of 22. And with my work experience, I will be making the same as an entry level engineer. I would not recommend not going to school right after high school. There is much more chance you will slack off and it will set you back.