BIM is an area of digital technology that has become popular within the construction industry. BIM Coordinators manage projects in various capacities for working in industries like construction as well as manufacturing. BIM Coordinators are responsible for pulling people and concepts together, supervising the design process, and approving 3D modeling used on construction projects involving architecture, structural design, and MEP engineering by coordinating various parties and functions into a coherent unit. BIM Coordinators collaborate with General Contractors, Architects, Engineers, and Project Managers to ensure that BIM standards on a project are followed and to prepare construction documents using BIM technology.
Becoming a BIM Coordinator typically requires earning a bachelor’s degree related to areas like engineering, business, construction management, architecture, computer science, or graphic design to work with BIM software, tools, and technology for developing building structures or manufacturing products. Prospective BIM Coordinators may also want to gain certification to pursue a career related to construction or manufacturing. BIM certification requires passing an Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) exam to gain expertise with 3D modeling tools like Revit. Essentially, working as a BIM Coordinator requires knowledge of BIM technology and methodologies combined with experience in areas such as architecture, engineering, and construction.
Becoming a BIM Coordinator typically involves experience from working in the construction or manufacturing industries with BIM tools and technology. While most candidates vying for the position have a college degree, experience can also open a path to a career for those with skills in BIM. The number of years a person has been working in any profession may contribute to being hired as a BIM Coordinator.
What is a BIM Coordinator?
BIM Coordinators are tasked with managing projects related to the construction industry. Their jobs typically involve developing strategies, coordinating 3D modeling, collaborating with Architects, Engineers, and Project Managers, and maintaining communication among colleagues as well as clients. BIM Coordinators ensure that everyone involved in a project stays in lockstep with responsibilities for creating, managing, and coordinating 3D modeling from the planning stages through to project completion.
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BIM Coordinators have to make sure that proposed concepts are viable for construction projects by thoroughly analyzing designs to ensure they are not only aesthetically pleasing but also structurally sound and compliant with local codes and zoning regulations by applying BIM processes. BIM Coordinators’ responsibilities include ensuring the geometry of a design revealed through 3D modeling for examining shapes, lines, and points within the design to determine structural integrity.
Once a plan goes 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 modeling with an emphasis on structural design and MEP engineering.
Education
Becoming a BIM Coordinator typically requires earning a bachelor’s degree related to areas such as engineering, business, construction management, architecture, computer science, or graphic design to work with BIM software, tools, and technology for designing and developing building structures or manufacturing products.
Prospective BIM Coordinators can also find live online training courses related to BIM technology or gain certification through appropriate channels to pursue a career in the construction or manufacturing industries. BIM certification requires passing an Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) exam to gain expertise with 3D modeling tools like Revit. Essentially, becoming a BIM Coordinator requires knowledge of BIM technology and methodologies combined with experience in areas such as architecture, engineering, and construction.
Experience
A BIM Coordinator is a managerial position used in industries like construction and manufacturing that typically requires someone with seven to ten years of experience working on 3D modeling and data analysis using BIM technology and procedures. BIM Coordinators typically have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, construction management, architecture, or computer science as well as training in BIM software, tools, and methodologies for designing and developing products and constructing buildings. Working as a BIM Coordinator usually involves managing 3D modeling and collecting data in collaboration with Engineers and Architects, along with informing clients through a shared database or a cloud platform. Knowledge in BIM technology helps identify potential issues in construction before a project even starts. This includes clash detection for identifying how areas such as ceilings, beams, walls, or plumbing might interfere with each other.
Working as a BIM Coordinator requires skills in areas of digital technology applicable to construction and manufacturing. Skills for working with Building Information Modeling technology can enhance career opportunities for people with the ability to create designs and documents using software that facilitates 3D modeling and enables collaboration with Engineers, Architects, and Project Managers. BIM also helps with recognizing trends and forecasting weather before commencing construction, which is vital information in the industry.
Internships and apprenticeships also provide an effective way of getting a foot in the door with companies for working as a BIM Coordinator. Students looking for careers in 3D modeling can arrange an internship through educational counselors at their schools or universities to find organizations willing to bring in young talent for training or eventual employment. This benefits interns by providing them with hands-on experience related to 3D modeling, data analytics, architecture, and engineering, giving them a sense of whether the profession fits their expectations. An intern usually works in an unpaid capacity with a commitment of 20 to 30 hours per week and the possibility of employment following the assignment. Similarly, an apprenticeship typically offers paid participation with the understanding of being hired after the observation period. An internship or apprenticeship related to work in the construction industry can help students gain knowledge through real-world experience by working alongside Architects, Engineers, Project Managers, and BIM Coordinators.
Skills
Aside from possessing thorough knowledge of BIM technology and methodologies, a BIM Coordinator must also be able to manage various aspects and people involved in construction projects. Skills for working with BIM require experience in design and construction, specifically in architecture and engineering. Working with BIM, of course, requires training in BIM software and tools, including Autodesk products like Revit, Navisworks, BIM 360, Formit, and InfraWorks, along with Graphisoft Archicad and the Dalux BIM Viewer.
Additionally, working as a BIM Coordinator means being able to communicate and visualize concepts that help align Architects, Engineers, Project Managers, and stakeholders. Responsibilities also include solving problems by applying BIM methodologies on construction projects and ensuring that clients remain well-informed on the project status to maintain realistic expectations.
Portfolio
A portfolio provides examples of a person’s work that reflect accomplishments, skills, experience, and abilities in specific areas relevant to employment. Anyone looking to become a BIM Coordinator would be advised to compile a portfolio that showcases skills in graphic design, 3D modeling, and data analytics, including completed projects that demonstrate experience with construction or manufacturing.
It’s a good idea to save work from training or assignments involving 2D or 3D models to provide examples of a candidate’s capabilities to potential employers. A portfolio for securing employment as a BIM Coordinator should emphasize skills in BIM software such as Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft Archicad, or Tekla Structures. The main purpose of a BIM portfolio is to demonstrate a candidate’s proficiency in using BIM software to develop 3D models in construction design. The portfolio should focus on technical abilities in 3D modeling rather than overemphasizing aesthetic design skills. While aesthetics are part of construction design, the main aim of working with BIM is ensuring structural integrity and performing clash detection. Working as a BIM Coordinator includes collaborating with Architects and Engineers to ensure construction designs are technically sound.
A portfolio represents a critical tool for securing employment. For BIM Coordinators, the content of their portfolio should reflect skills in design and structural analysis and help distinguish them from other candidates in how they handle 3D modeling, analyze structural integrity, and detect clash issues. To find a career as a BIM Coordinator, the portfolio should highlight technical proficiency over aesthetic considerations.
Resume & LinkedIn Profile
A resume should be no longer than two pages and concisely present a person’s background and qualifications for a position. A resume must begin with an engaging summary that states a candidate's career objectives, followed by a work history in reverse-chronological order with brief descriptions of job responsibilities. The resume should also include educational background with details of degrees, certifications, workshops, foreign languages, and other relevant learning experiences. It is also a good idea to briefly list or discuss any self-training related to BIM technology and software.
In addition to building a resume, it is beneficial to establish an account with LinkedIn, a social media platform focused on connecting people seeking work with employers looking for qualified candidates. LinkedIn provides an effective venue to connect or reconnect with former employers and coworkers and to network for potential job opportunities. Creating a LinkedIn profile helps candidates have their resume seen by companies or individuals who may never have met them but find their listed skills to be a match.
References
Finding qualified individuals who can vouch for an applicant’s qualifications is helpful when seeking employment. Gathering references for a BIM Coordinator role is vital for landing the job. As with any profession, strong references from past employers can significantly support a candidate’s job search. In addition to current and former employers, recommendations from current or former coworkers or industry professionals familiar with the candidate’s work, background, and capabilities can aid in achieving career ambitions. References do not have to be directly related to the field the candidate is targeting. A candidate’s character is important and provides a strong foundation when combined with work-related references. However, while it's valuable that references speak positively, it is also essential that their statements be relevant to the job being pursued, even if not directly related. In this capacity, while teachers often provide strong references, using friends or relatives should be strictly avoided.
Additionally, if a prospective BIM Coordinator has completed independent work, a client’s recommendation can provide strong testimony about that individual’s abilities and appeal to potential employers, particularly regarding communication and teamwork skills.
Learn the Skills to Become a BIM Coordinator at Noble Desktop
Noble Desktop offers options for learning BIM technology, software, and procedures through VDCI, an authorized Autodesk training center that provides education and certification in a variety of technologies, including Building Information Modeling. Anyone considering becoming a BIM Coordinator might want to enroll in a certificate program or gain certification in the methodology or similar technologies. VDCI offers broader professional training options, including the BIM Certificate Program, which provides students with the skills and experience they need to start working on BIM projects professionally. This course includes over 400 hours of training content modeled on real-world construction projects. There is also a combined CAD/BIM Certificate Program for students seeking even more advanced construction training.
Certificate programs provide hands-on experience with BIM or similar technologies for working with Engineers and Architects as BIM Coordinators. Certification, on the other hand, verifies a person’s expertise with specific skills such as programming languages, software, and tools like BIM. Education providers like VDCI also offer AutoCAD-related certification programs, including the AutoCAD Certification Program, which provides comprehensive training to prepare 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 BIM certification through Autodesk, which offers several paths depending on a candidate’s career goals. The Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP), for example, confirms a candidate's skills with AutoCAD, including the ability to solve complex workflow and design problems using BIM software. BIM Coordinators can also pursue certification to improve career prospects through tools like Autodesk Revit for 3D modeling, designing, and analyzing building structures. This includes the option to complete the Revit Certification Course to gain expertise in creating and managing architectural models using Revit software.