So here's my story: I've got about 10 years of experience (licensed), half of which was doing public/civic buildings for a large (+150) firm and the other half doing very high end residential stuff for a small (
Due to the many curves that life throws your way, I decided to move to a new mid-size city and accepted a project architect position at a very well known and respected firm, although it is a bit large (+200 spread over several offices nationwide). While I initially thought that this would be a good move for me, I'm having second thoughts after six months. The office is an extremely low morale, negative environment (everyone hates their jobs), I'm not getting anywhere near the amount of responsibility that I should, and all design decisions come down from a micromanaging, flip-flopping associate with little design talent. Yet, somehow this firm is able to get great projects, win awards, get published, etc.
I'm having serious thoughts of seeking employment elsewhere, but am a little gun shy about putting myself back out there after only six months here, but I feel like I've wasted six months with zero professional growth or happiness. The money is ok, but not great. It is a relatively small design community, so I'm a bit skittish about word getting back to my firm that I'm looking...
Any thoughts or advice from those experienced souls out there? Thanks...
i wouldn't worry about your next job. you can always tell them exactly what the scenario is. if they're in town, you can expect them to be sympathetic and even have some inkling that what you're saying is true. the issue would be if THAT next one is a bad choice and you have two short-term jobs to explain later.
if you're fairly experienced, i would guess that you can arrange some 'quiet' meetings with principals in other local firms and that they'll be discreet. i'm finding that 10+yrs experience seems to be in demand in the midwest. don't know about up there.
Go find a smallish firm that has a good "rainmaker" and offer him your skill set to run the shop. That's where many young start ups may not have your experience and therefore need your talents. If you jump to another similar firm your not going to find any real growth / satisfaction in your new environment as it'll just be a similar set of circumstances, different faces, project but no more interesting, and its a bit of a dead end in time. I would look at what you want to be doing ten years out and work backwards.
Sorry to hear that your current position isn't working out. I also would second the opinion that it won't make any difference to your next position, having only spent 6 months in your current office. The range of projects and your years of experience will make you very employable, where ever you choose to go.
It's interesting that is sounds like you had the best job satisfaction in a smaller firm. I've worked for both large and small, and while the smaller office was stressful with a crushing workload, I felt really proud of the work I did and it was of a better quality than in the larger office I work for now. I marvel at how many lazy, untalented people get promoted around here.
I would definitely get that other job. Seattle is a difficult place to find work, though, and fickle when it comes to downturning economic situations...so act fast.
er, I just searched your previous posts and see that you left Seattle for Pittsburgh...well, not much I can do for you there...although there's still BCJ...
6 months would be long enough to give it a good shot and decide if you need to move on. As long as one of your other previous experiences was for a decent time, like 4 or 5 years or more, I do not think it would be a problem for you to move on.
Welcome to the 'burgh by the way. Yunz will feel at home in no time.
Jan 31, 08 2:24 pm ·
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? for experienced architects...
So here's my story: I've got about 10 years of experience (licensed), half of which was doing public/civic buildings for a large (+150) firm and the other half doing very high end residential stuff for a small (
Due to the many curves that life throws your way, I decided to move to a new mid-size city and accepted a project architect position at a very well known and respected firm, although it is a bit large (+200 spread over several offices nationwide). While I initially thought that this would be a good move for me, I'm having second thoughts after six months. The office is an extremely low morale, negative environment (everyone hates their jobs), I'm not getting anywhere near the amount of responsibility that I should, and all design decisions come down from a micromanaging, flip-flopping associate with little design talent. Yet, somehow this firm is able to get great projects, win awards, get published, etc.
I'm having serious thoughts of seeking employment elsewhere, but am a little gun shy about putting myself back out there after only six months here, but I feel like I've wasted six months with zero professional growth or happiness. The money is ok, but not great. It is a relatively small design community, so I'm a bit skittish about word getting back to my firm that I'm looking...
Any thoughts or advice from those experienced souls out there? Thanks...
i wouldn't worry about your next job. you can always tell them exactly what the scenario is. if they're in town, you can expect them to be sympathetic and even have some inkling that what you're saying is true. the issue would be if THAT next one is a bad choice and you have two short-term jobs to explain later.
if you're fairly experienced, i would guess that you can arrange some 'quiet' meetings with principals in other local firms and that they'll be discreet. i'm finding that 10+yrs experience seems to be in demand in the midwest. don't know about up there.
If you have to ask these questions, then you know what to do.
Go find a smallish firm that has a good "rainmaker" and offer him your skill set to run the shop. That's where many young start ups may not have your experience and therefore need your talents. If you jump to another similar firm your not going to find any real growth / satisfaction in your new environment as it'll just be a similar set of circumstances, different faces, project but no more interesting, and its a bit of a dead end in time. I would look at what you want to be doing ten years out and work backwards.
get out of their as quick as possible, but don't give notice till you have something better lined up.
the archinecteurs network can help. send me an email and I'll get you into the linkedin club.
Sorry to hear that your current position isn't working out. I also would second the opinion that it won't make any difference to your next position, having only spent 6 months in your current office. The range of projects and your years of experience will make you very employable, where ever you choose to go.
It's interesting that is sounds like you had the best job satisfaction in a smaller firm. I've worked for both large and small, and while the smaller office was stressful with a crushing workload, I felt really proud of the work I did and it was of a better quality than in the larger office I work for now. I marvel at how many lazy, untalented people get promoted around here.
Good luck!
I would definitely get that other job. Seattle is a difficult place to find work, though, and fickle when it comes to downturning economic situations...so act fast.
Check out
http://www.millerhull.com
http://www.andersonanderson.com/
http://www.suyamapetersondeguchi.com
http://www.oskaarchitects.com/
http://www.bcj.com/
http://www.weinsteinau.com/
or go see Peter Miller - he'll tell you what to do:
http://www.petermiller.com/
If you're looking for larger firms I can suggest those too.
at least 3 of those are hiring, btw
er, I just searched your previous posts and see that you left Seattle for Pittsburgh...well, not much I can do for you there...although there's still BCJ...
goodluck. don't sweat word getting out.
6 months would be long enough to give it a good shot and decide if you need to move on. As long as one of your other previous experiences was for a decent time, like 4 or 5 years or more, I do not think it would be a problem for you to move on.
Welcome to the 'burgh by the way. Yunz will feel at home in no time.
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