help in hvac/plumbing designing

[RCA4697]

Hello guys, i work for an architectural/engineering firm in los angeles, ca.
i have been doing cad for about 4 years. i am the only cad guy here in the
mechanical dept. and work with 3 other engineers,1 of them does not know cad.
but when it comes to more complex stuff, i am the one who takes over. i am
kind of tired of doing what ever they tell me to do. i want to move up. My
question is if there is any way i can learn to design hvac/plumbing systems.
(im familiar with some small basic stuff) any good books you guys can recommend
or shall i take some classes. i do not want to o to a 4 year university and
end up with a big *** loan on my back. i know of people here who do not have
a degree in (ex. structural, architectural) and they get paid about the same
as a person who does have a degree. i just want to move up.
any suggestions. sorry if this is in the wrond forum.
-thanks in advance.
Robert C.

[Mike.Perry]

Hi Robert

Please note I've *moved* this thread from the AutoCAD General (http://forums.augi.com/forumdisplay.php?f=120) Forum to this one as I feel this particular Forum is a more appropriate place for such a topic.

Thanks, Mike

Forum Moderator

[CADKitty]

Hi Robert-

If you don't want to go to a 4 year college (can't say I blame you), then there are only two other options I can think of - one, go to a 2 year and get an associate's. That way, you'd learn the basic math and science skills needed for the job, and it'd cost less $$. Two, have one of the people in the department teach you the ropes. Personally, I'm doing both at the moment - I'm getting a second asociate's, this time for engineering, and the mech. and plumbing designers are starting to show me how to do things as well. Hope this helps!