I recently accepted a job offer and started working. Then yesterday I got an email from Gehry Partners asking to come for an interview! I have applied there for their junior designer position like two months ago. Can anyone please tell me if they have experience at the office? What is it like? What to expect from an interview there? I'm so curious about what people are like and what you might do as an entry level designer? I didn't graduate from a fancy school, which what I assumed stararchitects look for in their new hires! Anyone interviewed there? Please do share your experience!! I'm nervous! No trolling please! I know Gehry posts here tend to be troll magnets lol
Contract? It'd be a rare employer that would offer a contract to junior level staff in an architecture firm.
Aug 5, 17 9:37 pm ·
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randomised
You don't sign anything before starting to show up at a firm every Monday to Friday? That seems weird, even interns over here sign a contract/agreement.
Aug 5, 17 11:12 pm ·
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bakhet
Yeah, there is no contract per se but an offer letter with the pay and benefits that the firm is offering, working hours, vacations, etc. But there is no specific time duration that I need to commit to the firm or anything.
Aug 6, 17 12:52 pm ·
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randomised
In that case, just follow your instinct and don't worry.
It's a good place to start working when you're a junior. And a good name to get other employment. Hence, a stepping stone.
Aug 5, 17 10:14 am ·
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bakhet
thanks sameolddoctor! Do you have personal experience or you know someone that works there? My goals are to gain experience and get licensed very soon (I graduated this summer with M.Arch) but it seems these kind of offices are not really the best for that since they have their junior architects working on just one thing for a while. At the same time, it's a great opportunity! (not complaining!)
You risk getting a bad name for yourself from a firm if you quit within a few weeks of starting. You'll just need to weigh that against the benefits of working at Gehry and if you think working with Frankie negates the bad mouthing the other firm might do, then go for it.
A classmate of mine works there and seems to enjoy it, but I'm only judging that based on social media since I haven't really talked to him in a few years.
I beg to differ, Josh, especially as the OP is a fresh grad. Although considered a "Dick move", I see a lot of movement in kids jumping around offices to get a bearing of what they want to do, and no one seems to remember this after a few years.
That said, working at FOG will not prepare you for the real world of building construction, as the type of design they do is super specialized - custom details, structure etc. If you decide to go that route, be sure to bail in a few years, or you will be unemployable in "regular" offices. (aka non-stararchitects)
To answer your other question, I don't work there but know if several that have.
Aug 7, 17 4:30 pm ·
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randomised
"That said, working at FOG will not prepare you for the real world of building construction, as the type of design they do is super specialized - custom details, structure etc."
I can't see what is bad in learning custom detailing and specialised structures. After that your standard boring catalogue stuff is easy and can be done with one hand tied behind your back. Learning how to do things from scratch, understanding the basics and how to control and manipulate them is the best learning experience you'll ever have.
Aug 8, 17 2:41 am ·
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sameolddoctor
"After that your standard boring catalogue stuff is easy and can be done with one hand tied behind your back." .... right.
Ive seen a few (4 that i know personally) that worked at FoGA for more than 5 years, were laid off, and are struggling to find their bearings in the outside "real" world. One of them I knew quit the business and has become a school teacher making 40k a year (at the age of 50)
You accepted an offer at the firm you should work for - you will get another chance - don't do a short circuit, that indicates a total lack of integrity - you will get your chance
Working at Gehry Partners?
I recently accepted a job offer and started working. Then yesterday I got an email from Gehry Partners asking to come for an interview! I have applied there for their junior designer position like two months ago. Can anyone please tell me if they have experience at the office? What is it like? What to expect from an interview there? I'm so curious about what people are like and what you might do as an entry level designer? I didn't graduate from a fancy school, which what I assumed stararchitects look for in their new hires! Anyone interviewed there? Please do share your experience!! I'm nervous! No trolling please! I know Gehry posts here tend to be troll magnets lol
THANKS!
Too late if you've already signed your contract.
Contract? It'd be a rare employer that would offer a contract to junior level staff in an architecture firm.
You don't sign anything before starting to show up at a firm every Monday to Friday? That seems weird, even interns over here sign a contract/agreement.
Yeah, there is no contract per se but an offer letter with the pay and benefits that the firm is offering, working hours, vacations, etc. But there is no specific time duration that I need to commit to the firm or anything.
In that case, just follow your instinct and don't worry.
thanks sameolddoctor! Do you have personal experience or you know someone that works there? My goals are to gain experience and get licensed very soon (I graduated this summer with M.Arch) but it seems these kind of offices are not really the best for that since they have their junior architects working on just one thing for a while. At the same time, it's a great opportunity! (not complaining!)
You risk getting a bad name for yourself from a firm if you quit within a few weeks of starting. You'll just need to weigh that against the benefits of working at Gehry and if you think working with Frankie negates the bad mouthing the other firm might do, then go for it.
A classmate of mine works there and seems to enjoy it, but I'm only judging that based on social media since I haven't really talked to him in a few years.
That said, working at FOG will not prepare you for the real world of building construction, as the type of design they do is super specialized - custom details, structure etc. If you decide to go that route, be sure to bail in a few years, or you will be unemployable in "regular" offices. (aka non-stararchitects)
To answer your other question, I don't work there but know if several that have.
"That said, working at FOG will not prepare you for the real world of building construction, as the type of design they do is super specialized - custom details, structure etc."
I can't see what is bad in learning custom detailing and specialised structures. After that your standard boring catalogue stuff is easy and can be done with one hand tied behind your back. Learning how to do things from scratch, understanding the basics and how to control and manipulate them is the best learning experience you'll ever have.
"After that your standard boring catalogue stuff is easy and can be done with one hand tied behind your back." .... right.
Ive seen a few (4 that i know personally) that worked at FoGA for more than 5 years, were laid off, and are struggling to find their bearings in the outside "real" world. One of them I knew quit the business and has become a school teacher making 40k a year (at the age of 50)
You accepted an offer at the firm you should work for - you will get another chance - don't do a short circuit, that indicates a total lack of integrity - you will get your chance
An interview is not a job offer, so don't get ahead of yourself. Go for the interview, then if they do make an offer, then you can start agonizing.
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