Questions from a Piping Student.

I welcome you to the world of Piping. I have been in Piping for more than fifty years and I still love it.
I will try to answer your questions.

Piping Books for beginners:
The first thing you need to know is the basics on Drafting. Here is an inexpensive book for basic drafting. You need to know and understand what all the "Line Styles" are and what they mean.
www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... g+Drafting

Next you need to know the hardware and the symbols used in piping. The hardware is the pipe, fittings, flanges, valves, instruments, attachments etc. This is one of the very best books for a beginner and it does not cost a months rent. Other people will also offer suggestions for Piping Books. Some may be appropriate for a beginner but others will be far too advanced and too expensive.
www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_ ... p%20weaver

At this point do not worry about 3D modeling. That is for later. You need to know the basics before you get on a terminal. The 3D Tool world is constantly changing so by the time you get to that point in your development you will be learning a system that may not exist today.

"Skills that employers are looking for the college curriculum may not cover." True, but all you can do is learn what the college curriculum covers and be smart about who you choose for a Mentor.

I will be in touch,
Jop

NW Jon,

Great advise from JOP.

I would also go along with not needing to worry about 3D modelling for now.
Piping is the profession .... Software is one of many tools.

Get the basics right, and go from there.

A really big step will be getting into a company, that will really teach you the ins and outs of piping.
The company itself does not matter as much as the pipers in there that will guide you.

Best of luck.