Hi all, could use some professional advice here so hopefully this doesn't come across as too whiny.
I’m licensed (US) and have moved up in my responsibilities quite fast considering my age and role as project architect for several years. But I’m realizing there are a lot of subjects I’m simply not knowledgeable about, likely because I lack the experience, and I’m worried the more I move up the ladder, the worse my situation will become. The most concerning areas lately are code analysis and life safety, MEP systems, really anything to do with management, and construction administration.
I realize negotiating fees and navigating contracts will come with being a PM someday, but I’m ashamed to admit how little I know about MEP systems or codes. I don’t think I’d even be able to design the plumbing systems for a house if I had to, which is pretty sad. And we hire consultants to do our code & life safety scopes so while I know how to interpret them, I know very little about researching and preparing them myself.
I’m also frustrated with my current employer because I’ve been promised CA experience for the past several years, but am constantly told “sorry we don't have the hours, we’ll make it happen next project don’t worry.”
This all makes me feel like the longer I stay here, the deeper of a hole I’ll dig. If I have to find a new job in say 5 years, will an interviewer laugh me out of the room if I say I've never done a code analysis or don’t know how to review basic submittals? Is this all something that just comes with time, or should I be looking for a new job ASAP, maybe at a smaller firm with exposure to more areas? I’ve brought up a couple of these concerns to my management for several years and nothing seems to change.
Also to clarify before I get attacked, I’ve had the roles and responsibilities of a Project Architect for several years based on my official job description at my company, though I haven’t been licensed for that long. I never intended to claim to be or imply that I was an architect before I was licensed.
"I’m licensed (US) and have moved up in my responsibilities quite fast considering my age and role as project architect for several years. But I’m realizing there are a lot of subjects I’m simply not knowledgeable about, likely because I lack the experience, and I’m worried the more I move up the ladder, the worse my situation will become. The most concerning areas lately are code analysis and life safety, MEP systems, really anything to do with management, and construction administration."
Every company has a different structure. Maybe you're a project architect at company A but a job captain in company B. Not all project architects, partners, principals, etc will know in great breadth how to do FL&S analysis, MEP systems etc. Some people become technical project architects, some design focused ,etc. That's why we hire consultants...
I don’t think I’d even be able to design the plumbing systems for a house if I had to, which is pretty sad. And we hire consultants to do our code & life safety scopes so while I know how to interpret them, I know very little about researching and preparing them myself.
Yeah, why would you want to do them yourself? Why do you feel compelled to do other peoples' scope of work who are experts in those fields?
I’m also frustrated with my current employer because I’ve been promised CA experience for the past several years, but am constantly told “sorry we don't have the hours, we’ll make it happen next project don’t worry.”
Promises don't mean anything in the work environment.
This all makes me feel like the longer I stay here, the deeper of a hole I’ll dig. If I have to find a new job in say 5 years, will an interviewer laugh me out of the room if I say I've never done a code analysis or don’t know how to review basic submittals? Is this all something that just comes with time, or should I be looking for a new job ASAP, maybe at a smaller firm with exposure to more areas?
No, unless you're trying to get some type of technical position. Some architects enjoy the concept phase and are happy to not experience the CA phase. Does that make them a complete architect, probably not, but if they're happy then who cares. Some people don't enjoy measuring travel distances, calculating stair widths, etc.
Seems like you feel strongly to learn these phases of permitting, CA, etc. If that's the case you should leave and fine another firm that can offer you these opportunities whether it's a small or larger firm. But in the end it really depends on what you end goal is and what you want to do.
If you’re not happy here, and want a new experience, look at jobs at smaller firms. Typically, the smaller the firm the more experience you typically get doing more parts of a project. You learn a bunch about MEPFP, codes, and CA because you have to. There is no one else to do it except you. If you think it’s a possibility to get this experience at your current job, set an amount of time and then decide to walk. IE. If things don’t change with a year (6 months, 9 months, etc.), start looking for something new. The job market is really up right now, so the chances of finding a good place to land is high.
I had the same issue while working and what I did was I moved to a different firm every 2 to 3 years on average in order go gain the experience you need once I felt like my knowledge got saturated at current firm. I did this for about 15 years I think before going on my own. This strategy worked for me as I got the best real world experience possible but it also prevented me from moving up and having a steady firm where I could eventually be a senior member or principal or whatever. But I didn't become an architect to do that, i became an architect to build, and now I am a sole practitioner, licensed in 3 states and I would say I am pretty good with life safety, code, zoning etc. I have put drawings sets together, detailed them, created permit sets, got permits and conducted construction administration for projects up to 10k SF. I am also a general contractor and run my own design build firm.
If you don't want to lose your job or keep switching companies I suggest the following:
1. Work freelance for a small architect, you can learn a lot from a small firm. ( I am currently in need of a freelance architect if you are interested and can teach you quickly about how a house or a small building is put together including plumbing, mechanical, framing, zoning and code, through putting you through the process of getting a drawing set together)
2. Make it a point to study code and zoning, its not that hard to go through the means of egress chapter of the code and learning about egress, etc. Same with zoning. Go through the zoning for a project. Even at your firms projects, just go through drawing set and absorb why things are a certain way. You can also start with books such as building codes illustrated, to get basic concepts, or technical books such as hvac systems for buildings, to understand basic concepts of mep. etc
3. keep working at your firm but volunteer or just shadow folks who are doing zoning and code and all the things you feel missing, so that you get acquainted with that knowledge. Also try to sit in subcontractor meetings, engineer meetings and basically absorb as much information as you can.
4. The fact that you are licensed and feel that you dont know anything proves that the profession is headed downhill, or just not efficient or cheating its up and coming architects by not training them correctly. Technically you should already be proficient in CA before you get licensed. But this is the current state of affairs and you are not alone.
But I’m realizing there are a lot of subjects I’m simply not knowledgeable about, likely because I lack the experience, and I’m worried the more I move up the ladder, the worse my situation will become.
It all boils down on what you really want to do.
Do you want to learn technical stuff and be more hands-on? Then, as Zillow suggested, move on to a different firm.
Do you want to keep going up the management ladder? Then surround yourself with people working for you who know their stuff. You don't need to know everything, especially if your role is relatively senior. You can always hire specialists.
Jul 13, 21 12:18 pm ·
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Worried my lack of experience will hold me back someday
Hi all, could use some professional advice here so hopefully this doesn't come across as too whiny.
I’m licensed (US) and have moved up in my responsibilities quite fast considering my age and role as project architect for several years. But I’m realizing there are a lot of subjects I’m simply not knowledgeable about, likely because I lack the experience, and I’m worried the more I move up the ladder, the worse my situation will become. The most concerning areas lately are code analysis and life safety, MEP systems, really anything to do with management, and construction administration.
I realize negotiating fees and navigating contracts will come with being a PM someday, but I’m ashamed to admit how little I know about MEP systems or codes. I don’t think I’d even be able to design the plumbing systems for a house if I had to, which is pretty sad. And we hire consultants to do our code & life safety scopes so while I know how to interpret them, I know very little about researching and preparing them myself.
I’m also frustrated with my current employer because I’ve been promised CA experience for the past several years, but am constantly told “sorry we don't have the hours, we’ll make it happen next project don’t worry.”
This all makes me feel like the longer I stay here, the deeper of a hole I’ll dig. If I have to find a new job in say 5 years, will an interviewer laugh me out of the room if I say I've never done a code analysis or don’t know how to review basic submittals? Is this all something that just comes with time, or should I be looking for a new job ASAP, maybe at a smaller firm with exposure to more areas? I’ve brought up a couple of these concerns to my management for several years and nothing seems to change.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Also to clarify before I get attacked, I’ve had the roles and responsibilities of a Project Architect for several years based on my official job description at my company, though I haven’t been licensed for that long. I never intended to claim to be or imply that I was an architect before I was licensed.
"I’m licensed (US) and have moved up in my responsibilities quite fast considering my age and role as project architect for several years. But I’m realizing there are a lot of subjects I’m simply not knowledgeable about, likely because I lack the experience, and I’m worried the more I move up the ladder, the worse my situation will become. The most concerning areas lately are code analysis and life safety, MEP systems, really anything to do with management, and construction administration."
Every company has a different structure. Maybe you're a project architect at company A but a job captain in company B. Not all project architects, partners, principals, etc will know in great breadth how to do FL&S analysis, MEP systems etc. Some people become technical project architects, some design focused ,etc. That's why we hire consultants...
I don’t think I’d even be able to design the plumbing systems for a house if I had to, which is pretty sad. And we hire consultants to do our code & life safety scopes so while I know how to interpret them, I know very little about researching and preparing them myself.
Yeah, why would you want to do them yourself? Why do you feel compelled to do other peoples' scope of work who are experts in those fields?
I’m also frustrated with my current employer because I’ve been promised CA experience for the past several years, but am constantly told “sorry we don't have the hours, we’ll make it happen next project don’t worry.”
Promises don't mean anything in the work environment.
This all makes me feel like the longer I stay here, the deeper of a hole I’ll dig. If I have to find a new job in say 5 years, will an interviewer laugh me out of the room if I say I've never done a code analysis or don’t know how to review basic submittals? Is this all something that just comes with time, or should I be looking for a new job ASAP, maybe at a smaller firm with exposure to more areas?
No, unless you're trying to get some type of technical position. Some architects enjoy the concept phase and are happy to not experience the CA phase. Does that make them a complete architect, probably not, but if they're happy then who cares. Some people don't enjoy measuring travel distances, calculating stair widths, etc.
Seems like you feel strongly to learn these phases of permitting, CA, etc. If that's the case you should leave and fine another firm that can offer you these opportunities whether it's a small or larger firm. But in the end it really depends on what you end goal is and what you want to do.
If you’re not happy here, and want a new experience, look at jobs at smaller firms. Typically, the smaller the firm the more experience you typically get doing more parts of a project. You learn a bunch about MEPFP, codes, and CA because you have to. There is no one else to do it except you. If you think it’s a possibility to get this experience at your current job, set an amount of time and then decide to walk. IE. If things don’t change with a year (6 months, 9 months, etc.), start looking for something new. The job market is really up right now, so the chances of finding a good place to land is high.
I had the same issue while working and what I did was I moved to a different firm every 2 to 3 years on average in order go gain the experience you need once I felt like my knowledge got saturated at current firm. I did this for about 15 years I think before going on my own. This strategy worked for me as I got the best real world experience possible but it also prevented me from moving up and having a steady firm where I could eventually be a senior member or principal or whatever. But I didn't become an architect to do that, i became an architect to build, and now I am a sole practitioner, licensed in 3 states and I would say I am pretty good with life safety, code, zoning etc. I have put drawings sets together, detailed them, created permit sets, got permits and conducted construction administration for projects up to 10k SF. I am also a general contractor and run my own design build firm.
If you don't want to lose your job or keep switching companies I suggest the following:
1. Work freelance for a small architect, you can learn a lot from a small firm. ( I am currently in need of a freelance architect if you are interested and can teach you quickly about how a house or a small building is put together including plumbing, mechanical, framing, zoning and code, through putting you through the process of getting a drawing set together)
2. Make it a point to study code and zoning, its not that hard to go through the means of egress chapter of the code and learning about egress, etc. Same with zoning. Go through the zoning for a project. Even at your firms projects, just go through drawing set and absorb why things are a certain way. You can also start with books such as building codes illustrated, to get basic concepts, or technical books such as hvac systems for buildings, to understand basic concepts of mep. etc
3. keep working at your firm but volunteer or just shadow folks who are doing zoning and code and all the things you feel missing, so that you get acquainted with that knowledge. Also try to sit in subcontractor meetings, engineer meetings and basically absorb as much information as you can.
4. The fact that you are licensed and feel that you dont know anything proves that the profession is headed downhill, or just not efficient or cheating its up and coming architects by not training them correctly. Technically you should already be proficient in CA before you get licensed. But this is the current state of affairs and you are not alone.
good luck
But I’m realizing there are a lot of subjects I’m simply not
knowledgeable about, likely because I lack the experience, and I’m
worried the more I move up the ladder, the worse my situation will
become.
It all boils down on what you really want to do.
Do you want to learn technical stuff and be more hands-on? Then, as Zillow suggested, move on to a different firm.
Do you want to keep going up the management ladder? Then surround yourself with people working for you who know their stuff. You don't need to know everything, especially if your role is relatively senior. You can always hire specialists.
Block this user
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