I currently have an offer with SOM as a junior architectural professional, and am waiting on offers from CO and HNTB by the end of the week.
I was interested in how working professionals value these different companies. I'm curious as to how one considers them based on size of firms, career projection, work life balance, and culture.
Any feedback would greatly help out a recent B.Arch graduate in informing his decision on career prospects!
I started out at SOM - SF, first architecture job out of school - 2007 and 2008.
a lot of big skyscraper projects - Great place, lots of skyscraper projects, in China, US and India - Long hours - 9 - 8pm, except friday "posting parties" then we work until 12:30am
I advise to take Skidmore
Aug 22, 18 6:37 pm ·
·
sameolddoctor
Whats a "posting party"?
Aug 22, 18 8:32 pm ·
·
10974ks---
like an in office pin up, I guess. I'm curious, why anyone would think mentioning long work hours is a plus. CO architects is the winner in my book.
Aug 22, 18 8:43 pm ·
·
sameolddoctor
Exactly. From reading your posts, Xenakis over the years, it seems that you haven't exactly got the "bang for the buck" from working at SOM. And the hours are long. So what's the advantage in working there?
A lot of last minute rush work, people who aren't that busy on other projects get called in for the "fun" picking up last minute redlines, coordination
At first, you value the office thru the quality of their delivery. Then when you're at it, you will value the office thru the processes you're exposed to and the knowledge you acquire from your direct superiors/team members. Its important that you would get a chance to converse with your potential direct superior prior to taking the job.
SOM (SF) vs. CO Architects (LA) vs. HNTB (LA)
Hi forum,
I currently have an offer with SOM as a junior architectural professional, and am waiting on offers from CO and HNTB by the end of the week.
I was interested in how working professionals value these different companies. I'm curious as to how one considers them based on size of firms, career projection, work life balance, and culture.
Any feedback would greatly help out a recent B.Arch graduate in informing his decision on career prospects!
Thanks.
100% take SOM-SF
I started out at SOM - SF, first architecture job out of school - 2007 and 2008.
a lot of big skyscraper projects - Great place, lots of skyscraper projects, in China, US and India - Long hours - 9 - 8pm, except friday "posting parties" then we work until 12:30am
I advise to take Skidmore
Whats a "posting party"?
like an in office pin up, I guess. I'm curious, why anyone would think mentioning long work hours is a plus. CO architects is the winner in my book.
Exactly. From reading your posts, Xenakis over the years, it seems that you haven't exactly got the "bang for the buck" from working at SOM. And the hours are long. So what's the advantage in working there?
posting party? A submittal deadline
A lot of last minute rush work, people who aren't that busy on other projects get called in for the "fun" picking up last minute redlines, coordination
At first, you value the office thru the quality of their delivery. Then when you're at it, you will value the office thru the processes you're exposed to and the knowledge you acquire from your direct superiors/team members. Its important that you would get a chance to converse with your potential direct superior prior to taking the job.
They're really the kind of questions you ask during the interview process. What made you consider them in the first place?
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.