I have some experience working with Solidworks, should I consider learning Inventor or CATIA to improve my job prospects as a Junior Mechanical Design Engineer?
As a freshly graduate mechanical engineer, I was only taught how to use AutoCAD, PTC Creo and basics of Solidworks and COMSOL. I took up learning Fusion 360 and Solidworks, and enjoyed using Solidworks the most. However, while job hunting in the UK, i've seen most of the employers prefer candidates with Inventor and CATIA experience.
Should I spend time on learning Inventor and CATIA to improve my chances of landing a job or should I improve on my Solidworks Skills (currently at CSWA level)?
Also if I choose to learn the other software, which one would be the better option, as I don't really have a particular industry preference and am open to experiences/learning in any industry.
Edit: Also how good is Blender in the product design field? Is Solidworks knowledge transferable and hows the learning curve?
Accepted answer
Blender is powerful, but it's not a parametric modeler. Mainly used for creating gaming assets and the like.
As far as software goes, most companies understand that a fresh candidate may not have the software skills necessary to enter the job at some degree of proficiency. This is of minor consequence. Most are looking to engineering and conceptual aptitude. In other words, do you understand the mechanics of design systems and how well do you think. If you hire a great mechanic.. does it matter which tools he has in his toolbox? The software can be taught on-the-job, the other part is much more difficult to develop and for some.. near impossible.
Your core study should be focused on design of systems necessary to the job you'd like to do. The rest is like getting into an unfamiliar vehicle; you know it has an accelerator, brake, wiper controls... the rest you can suss out with time. Most engineering managers (hopefully part of the hiring process) understand this.
