While a college degree greatly enhances a person’s chances to become a BIM Coordinator, the profession is still attainable without a college education for people who possess the right experience in construction, design, and BIM-related software and tools. Anyone interested in a career as a BIM Coordinator may do so by gaining certification in BIM technology for knowledge in software and procedures to carve a path that leads to working in Building Information Modeling as well.
Skills in graphic design along with experience related to construction, architecture, and engineering can also help with finding work as a BIM Coordinator. Knowledge of construction management, information technology, and project management may also contribute to impressing potential employers who own construction companies of a candidate’s skills to work as a BIM Coordinator.
Pros and Cons of Becoming a BIM Coordinator Without a Degree
There are advantages and disadvantages to pursuing a career as a BIM Coordinator without a college degree. While knowledge is power, and people have many ways of learning the same things through different methods, the perception that a college degree makes a person “more qualified” is a difficult obstacle to overcome. Listed below is a comparison of the benefits and drawbacks of pursuing a career as a BIM Coordinator without having obtained a college degree.
Pros
Becoming a BIM Coordinator without a college degree is likely less expensive than attending a university for four years with the possibility of getting saddled with student loans. Alternatives to seeking a degree in business, construction management, architecture, engineering, or graphic design—which typically provide the foundation for working as a BIM Coordinator—include enrolling in less expensive live online and on-demand courses to learn BIM software and processes using tools like Revit, Navisworks, Archicad, or Tekla Structures, which is a BIM authoring tool. LinkedIn Learning, for example, offers several free and low-cost video tutorials that train people on how to work with BIM technologies to streamline the design process for design modeling that leads to constructing buildings and other types of structures. Through LinkedIn Learning, students will learn about 2D and 3D modeling, data management, and techniques for collaborating in the workplace among Architects, Engineers, Project Managers, General Contractors, and clients. These video tutorials include software like Revit and AutoCAD for designing models for building structures by more efficiently coordinating construction projects. Additionally, individuals with the proper background in related disciplines can find internships or apprenticeships to work more directly with BIM technology.
%20(1).png)
Learn BIM
- Nationally accredited
- Create your own portfolio
- Free student software
- Learn at your convenience
- Authorized Autodesk training center
Another pathway to a career as a BIM Coordinator without a college degree involves possessing knowledge in computer-aided design (CAD), which can contribute to learning skills in BIM. By taking AutoCAD courses, bootcamps, or certificate programs from online education providers like Noble Desktop, students can begin training with software like AutoCAD to move forward with expanding their knowledge and eventually learning BIM technology following their training in AutoCAD through introductory courses or certificate programs.
Cons
The biggest drawback to pursuing a career as a BIM Coordinator without a college degree is competing with people who have college degrees. The general assumption is that a person with a degree is more qualified than someone without one. While it can be argued that online courses and certifications lack the same depth as a full college education, people with training from non-traditional sources typically already have experience working with the technology they wish to train in and may enroll in courses or programs to refine terminology or become more familiar with specific software.
It is no secret that in almost every industry, people with formal training often have an advantage over those who have gained their skills from hands-on experience. However, supplementing that experience with online training may at least place anyone hoping to become a BIM Coordinator on a similar level as someone with a degree. Unfortunately, some employers may perceive a candidate’s lack of a degree as a bigger risk than hiring someone with a college education. Without a degree, possessing a background in construction or related areas such as architecture can go a long way toward leveling the playing field.
Learning Methods to Become a BIM Coordinator Without a Degree
There are several ways to learn how to work with BIM-related software without needing to earn a college degree. Prospective BIM Coordinators can seek training through on-demand or live online courses, which is highly recommended for learning the skills required to work with tools and procedures related to Building Information Modeling. LinkedIn Learning, for example, offers free and low-cost video tutorials that introduce people to BIM technology and teach 3D modeling, data management, and collaboration with colleagues in the workplace for designing building structures. These tutorials cover tools such as Revit, BIM 360, and Archicad for more efficiently coordinating construction projects.
Other options for becoming a BIM Coordinator without a college degree include taking courses from online education providers like Noble Desktop with on-demand courses through VCDI for gaining certification in BIM-related tools and software like Autodesk Revit and Navisworks. Students also have the option of enrolling in on-demand courses offered by a number of online education facilitators like Coursera, Udemy, Simplilearn, and Alison to grasp the fundamentals related to BIM technology, workflows, and industry standards.
What is a BIM Coordinator?
BIM Coordinators are tasked with managing projects related to the construction industry. Their jobs typically involve developing strategies, coordinating modeling, facilitating collaboration among professionals like Architects and Engineers, and maintaining communication among those colleagues as well as clients. BIM Coordinators ensure that everyone involved on a project stays in lockstep with responsibilities for creating, managing, and coordinating BIM modeling from the planning stages through construction.
BIM Coordinators have to make sure that proposed concepts are viable for construction by thoroughly analyzing designs to ensure they’re not only aesthetically pleasing but also structurally sound and compliant with local codes and zoning regulations by applying BIM processes. Their responsibilities involve the geometry of a design revealed through 3D modeling to examine shapes, lines, and points with structural design to determine overall integrity.
Once a plan moves forward, BIM Coordinators are responsible for supervising 2D and 3D modeling involved with construction projects related to architectural design and engineering. This requires working with Architects, Engineers, and Project Managers to oversee models with an emphasis on structural design as well as MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) engineering.
Can You Really Become a BIM Coordinator Without a Degree?
While the path may be more difficult, a person can still become a BIM Coordinator without a college degree by possessing skills and experience in the construction industry, including construction management, architecture, engineering, business, or project management. Related skills such as graphic design, computer-aided design (CAD), 3D modeling, and other types of digital design technology can also help to eventually find work as a BIM Coordinator. While the construction industry likely prefers candidates with an education directly related to construction, people who can demonstrate proficiency with BIM tools and software may be able to get a foot in the door by having a degree indirectly related to construction such as graphic design or digital design.
Experience with graphic design tools, along with knowledge related to construction, architecture, or engineering, may also help with eventually landing work as a BIM Coordinator. Familiarity with construction management, information technology, or project management can also contribute to impressing construction companies in a person’s qualifications as a BIM Coordinator.
Steps to Become a BIM Coordinator
Becoming a BIM Coordinator typically requires having a college education related to engineering, business, construction management, architecture, computer science, or industrial design to work with BIM software, tools, and procedures for designing and developing building structures or manufacturing products. Without a degree, enrolling in live online BIM training courses or gaining the appropriate certification can enhance a person’s options for a career as a BIM Coordinator working in the construction industry.
Prospective BIM Coordinators who are considering BIM training might want to enroll in a certificate program or gain certification with related software such as Revit, Archicad, or Civil 3D. To be clear, certificate programs and certifications are not the same thing. Certificate programs offer hands-on training with BIM or AutoCAD technology that provides ambitious BIM Coordinators, Engineers, and Architects with skills to work with the design technology. Education providers like Noble Desktop provide training in BIM through VCDI, along with training in similar technology through courses like the AutoCAD Bootcamp for learning the fundamentals of technical drawing and gaining advanced skills for creating 2D drawings using AutoCAD.
Anyone considering gaining certification in BIM can do so through Autodesk, which offers several paths for certification contingent on a person’s career ambitions. The Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) verifies an individual’s skills with AutoCAD, including the ability to solve complex problems involving workflows and design with the software. People can gain certification to improve career options with knowledge of CAD and BIM technology. A BIM Coordinator working in BIM modeling to develop building structures can take the Revit Certified Professional certification program to gain expertise in creating and managing architectural models using the software. While certificate programs and certifications are not the same, enrolling in certificate training can help with passing certification exams.
Learn the Skills to Become a BIM Coordinator at Noble Desktop
Noble Desktop offers training for learning BIM technology, software, and procedures through VDCI. VDCI is an authorized Autodesk training center that provides education and certification related to various technologies, including BIM. BIM, or Building Information Modeling, is a digital process for designing, developing, and managing projects for working as Architects, Engineers, Interior Designers, Project Managers, and BIM Coordinators in various industries like construction and manufacturing. BIM Coordinators, in particular, have to manage projects by applying 2D and 3D modeling in construction and manufacturing with responsibilities for handling costs, collaborating with other professionals, and interacting with clients.
VDCI offers a Revit Certification Training Bundle that is ideal for students looking to learn the broad strokes of BIM skills that aspiring professionals need to master. This course covers introductory and advanced Revit skills, making it ideal for beginners and experienced designers alike. In addition, students enrolled in this course will be able to take the Revit Certification exam as part of their tuition, making it a practical option for future professionals. VDCI also offers focused courses in the important daily tasks involved in BIM projects such as the BIM Construction Documents I course or the BIM Detailing course.
Anyone considering becoming a BIM Coordinator might want to enroll in a certificate program or obtain certification in the methodology or similar technologies. To be clear, certificate programs and certifications are not the same. Certificate programs provide hands-on training in BIM or similar technologies for working as Engineers, Architects, or BIM Coordinators. Certifications, on the other hand, verify an individual's expertise in a particular area such as a programming language, software, type of tool, or methodology like BIM. Education providers like Noble Desktop also offer various AutoCAD-related certification training, including the AutoCAD Certification Program that offers a comprehensive program that prepares candidates for Autodesk certification exams. Training involves learning the fundamentals of technical drawing along with skills for drafting and creating 2D and 3D drawings using AutoCAD.
Achieving certification requires passing an exam administered by an industry-recognized organization. Ambitious BIM Coordinators can pursue certification through Autodesk, which offers several paths contingent on a person’s career ambitions. The Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP), for example, confirms a candidate’s skills with AutoCAD, including the ability to solve complicated problems with workflows and designs related to the design software. BIM Coordinators can also gain certification to improve career options through tools like Autodesk Revit for working in BIM modeling for designing and analyzing building structures. This can include taking on the Revit Certified Professional certification program to gain expertise in creating and managing architectural models using the Revit software.