Guy behind my just packed his things into a box and was escorted out....and he and his wife are about to have a baby in a couple weeks. sucks. One of 10 layoffs today.
Make: try Aldi's, a working man's Trader Joes (its "cousin"). Cheap, decent produce and meats, and store-label products good quality. It's a German model of efficiency; cash, debit card, or link card only.
as for chicago grocery stores-i'm a big fan of stanley's though sometimes the cheapness of the produce IS too good go be true. but 5 (small) pomegranates for $1? and bananas are always cheaper there than anywhere else.
i do like caputos on the far west side, but it's just too far for no car.
haven't been to the dill pickle coop in logan square yet, but have heard it's maybe not worth it if you don't live in the neighborhood.
loco77...which DC firm is it that just had the layoff? I haven't heard of as many opportunities in DC in the last month or so (even compared to the slim pickings of 2009). I would expect more layoffs around town as project continue to finish up.
I am so tired of you whimpy a-holes. HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU HAVE TO SAY GIVE NAMES TO THE PLACES LAYING OFF!!!!!!! DAMN IS IT REALLY THAT HARD. IF NOT DONT POST ANYTHING. THANKS FOR THE USELESS INFORMATION - JUST AS GOOD AS SAYING 10 PEOPLE GOT LAID OFF ON EARTH. DROP NAMES SO WE CAN GET AN IDEA.
I'm old enough to have been through a couple of recessions in my career, and the fact that there are layoffs of this scope this late in the cycle is really, really scary.
The main problem now is that banks cannot justify making construction loans when there is so much inventory available for less than the cost of building anything new. Plus they're padding their reserves for CRE defaults and and charge offs (shoe number 2), and ARM resets (shoe number 3) due to hit the RE markets this year and next.
I got a bad feeling in my gut about all of this. While it's possible other parts of the economy may be slowly recovering, it's hard to imagine any signifcant broad based recovery in our busness for the forseeable future.
Someone please make a viable counter-argument and cheer me up.
a friend's firm in NYC is picking up work on courthouse renovations and Federal buildings worldwide, under Obama's initiative for new infrastructure projects. That firm pays $40,000 to about 6 people with 5 years experience, and $70,000 for 4 people with 10 years experience, That is how the firm was able to outbid other firms for the work, havong low salaries and payroll expenses.
My friend took a paycut from $45,000 to $40,000 but at least he still has a job. He hasn't had a review or a raise in over 2 years, but is afraid to even ask, because out in NYC, there are a lot of people who would love to even work at all. Not sure of the firm name. it's a small firm in midtown under the principal's name, nothing famous or new wave in design, but at least they are surviving without having to fire anyone.
I just scored an interview with a firm in midtown manhattan, just got the callback tonight!!!
The principal called me --after he asked a few questions and I asked him a few questions of my own, it seems there were hundreds of applicants from all over the country. The only reason I got a shot was because of my Revit experience. The firm is just starting out on Revit and I have 2 Revit projects under my belt. I can only hope for the best. I'm not naming firm name because I need all the help I can get...without too much competition, sorry folks. I hope this pans out, I've been running freelance projects and unemployment for a year and a half !!
just heard from one of our clients (they are in the university system in georgia) that the governor (sonny!) took the list of recommendations for funding of projects and just gutted it for their final budget proposal. the count:
on the recommended list: 11 const. projects, 8 design/build projects, 11 design only. total value: 250M (22M which was design only).
in the final budget: 2 const. projects, 2 design projects. no design/build. total value: just under 5M for the design work, about 30 for the const.
d.a.m.n.
what does that mean for everyone in atlanta? the one 'sure fire' source of work just lost all of it. and, to boot, the two design projects being funded are far, far away from the city....
i can guarantee there will be more layoffs in town throughout the year. no way possible we come out with a net add before it's done.
For anyone who's interested, apparently even the substitute teaching thing is getting inundated with too many applicants :
Note: Until further notice, Chicago Public Schools is currently only accepting applicants who hold an Illinois State Teaching Certificate and have a degree in Education
So much for that.
I'm going to look into wait-staff -- I feel like I'm the type who could make some serious cash doing that. Although waitstaff in this town is often an actual career move, and there are tons of people with much more experience and interest in it than myself. Oh well... I'm up for anything! Frankly I'm still kind of excited about a change of pace from architecture, to be honest. Plus I have no kids or house payment, thank God.
Well that is a bummer Mantaray but try applying to the suburban towns of Oak Park, Evanston, Cicero, and Forest Park. Chicago has home rule so they act independent of the rest of Cook County.
Ha ha ha, for heavens sakes, I know how to get around the city, I haven't owned a car for 11 years. I cannot, however, afford to take a job that requires nearly 3 hours of transit a day, unless it's going to pay me a heck of a lot more than $90. That works out to less than $9 / hour. For that I may as well work at the Starbucks on my own block, and have consistent shifts. I appreciate your tenacity in being helpful but it looks like subbing isn't in the cards for me.
Do you have plans to form a group of designers who are unemployed to 1 support each other, 2 take inventory of the skills, technology, and tools available, and 3 possibly keep at each other to keep skills up-to date?
To make it work I think it would be best to take a multi disciplinary approach.
Recruit Graphic Designers, architects, urban planners, Zine authors, web designers, artist of all types. Think of it as a posy of designers out to round up work. If you only hang out with architects you will probably have a hard time finding an occasional freelance job. I think galleries are still going to need exhibitions laid out and now and then you might find a small business that serves the various design industries is ready to make some improvements to their space, or know someone who is ready to add an ADA toilet, or a better display window or awning.
Another idea to look for work
Try manufactured building companies
If you have the equipment why not open an apartment / house cleaning, painting and decorating service, I don’t see that many of these around right now that look like they can do all three well.
Try textile designing, the cad work you did on facades and sections is vector based and easily transferable to various media sizes and types might make interesting graphic design. Also think about wall stickers, window decals and other decorative products such as stencil books, or Iron on transfers.
You could also try using your tape measure and free time to measure and model existing buildings in Revit or CAD. Go to the land lords and say hey I want access to make a cad model of your building so that when a potential tenant comes along you can quickly get to work fitting out the space. You create a Revit model, they don’t have to pay for it until they need it and you get cash for your work later on and possibly a foot in the door with the firms doing the design work or the landlord making the renovations. Existing building stock has to be documented accurately before it can be renovated, so this might be a way to stay active. It might be useful to demo the energy modeling and other neto stuff the software can do to convince owners to possibly pay a little up front for this work as it will be an advantage when things pick up again.
Another idea that I recently stumbled on is due to the rescission some restaurants and cafes have access to adjacent space and will need someone who knows building codes to help navigate and do studies on how much might be involved in expanding. Lots of indy coffee shops near colleges might need our help in navigating and negotiating a permanent or temporary annexation of adjacent vacant store fronts.
World AIDS day is coming up some communities do a wonderful event called Artist Against Aids AAA, Architects are needed to find venues, do the minimal work to make them accessible and get the temp permits to have a gallery event in a space. Tons of exposure for the vacant space should win over the landlord, and you would be surprised how easy it is to fill a space with cool stuff. One trick let artist elect to retain 50% of the proceeds. Takes work and takes the talents not concentrated in the architectural profession networking is easier when it is not exclusively serving personal interest.
seriously is this ever going to end? i'm doing graphic design for a dog shampoo firm in chicago on the side and being a chairlift operator here in chicago. but seriously, this seems like it's just never going to fucking end.
seriously is this ever going to end? i'm doing graphic design for a dog shampoo firm in chicago on the side and being a chairlift operator here in montan. but seriously, this seems like it's just never going to fucking end.
No matter the state of the Economy, Architects in particular, should never do ANY work for FREE! It's a loosing mindset..and so typical of architects. This is a direct result of the egocentric education one receives steeped heavily in theory/studio based training....more thoughts on this profession to follow soon...
What if someone opened up a sort of Architecture Store? As in, a shop similar to a bookshop/boutique guitar store, filled with portfolios and models of built work (to lessen chances of stolen ideas). These items would be associated with their designers of course, and individuals or firms seeking to commission/contract out some work could come in and 'shop' the regional talent. Work can be placed on consignment, and the shopkeep could take a percentage of the sale (or an up front payment) that adjusts according to the placement of the consignee's work. You could also have a small coffee shop inside to facilitate lengthy perusing or casual interviews. And shoot, toss an Architecture 5¢ dude in there for good measure.
Hey le bossman, I thought you were doing something along the lines of ski instruction in Montana or something. Are you back in the Chi already? I love the dog shampoo gig though...what a fcking conversation starter.
frankly nlw2 I've often thought that the AIA should function that way (partially). In that they should have a streetfront level, walk in "shop" with their local member portfolios on display and experienced staff working in the open who can be approached to help talk to someone and guide someone who is thinking of having work done and doesn't know where to start. Instead of publishing dorky b&w pamphlets that both are totally insufficient informationally AND lack the human touch that usually gets people to work with an architect. Imagine if someone who is daydreaming at work about adding on to their house, could just drop in on their way to the train station to head home that night, and someone is there to encourage their vision and light their imagination on fire? How many dreams might be set in motion if only there were an open, transparent, and friendly expert to help foster them?
Based on that NYT article, $50,000 worth in a year for one dude.
Bah, F the man. Lets a get a business plan written up. You'd need enough startup capital for a cashbox, a netbook, Quickbooks, and rent. Everything else would be provided by the consignees.
Well I hope I did not give the impression that we should give services for free to anyone. I think it is a question of values that each one has to figure out when doing pro-bono work, but for the “clients” documenting existing buildings can be lucrative once the economy picks up. Unless the existing building is going to be leveled documenting existing conditions is necessary and also can be a pain for big firms or firms from out of town. You sell them your models or drawings not give them away. Again look for problems that you can help solve. Design is all about solving problems. Architects are the solution to our problems. So go out looking for trouble.
At this rate it seems there will be no more architecture firms in the states as the year progresses. What interesting about the american layoff situation for architecture is that the majority of my friends in other countries are still employed...dont get me wrong its slow but architecture in america just seems like a slaughter house.
I suggest everyone who is laid off or otherwise, get qualifications in some healthcare/IT related field, because i dont see this getting any better for next 5 years.
As an European who lived in 4 different European countries for the last 5 years (now in Asia), I didn't see the situation in Europe much better.
UK/Ireland and Spain, which were BY FAR the countries where more construction took place before the crash, are in a terrible situation for architects. Somewhere I read that between 40-60% of architects in the UK have lost their job and the British Government has stated that architecture is the most affected profession by the recession. I don't know a single firm in London who has not axed people (SOM went from 100 to around 20 people, Foster fired 400 persons in one day...). Eastern Europe, that was supposed to be a new El Dorado, has been terribly affected as well because of the crisis. The economic situation in some of these countries (for instance, the "Baltic Tigers") is very bad, with extremely high unemployment and consumption reduced to virtually zero.
Dubai has totally crashed and the rest of the Middle East has suffered much as well. Layoffs were wide spread in 2008/early 2009 in many Western offices in China and some of them closed the shop. Now it seems it is recovering but I'm extremely cautious about South East Asia as those are very volatile and speculative economies.
I even know a couple of people who moved back to their native South Africa (which I guessed because of the World Cup it would be a good opportunity), and they were surprised how the construction industry has slown down there as well.
Probably there are some places in the world where the crisis didn't affect that much. Germany and Switzerland, Brazil, India, some "new" South Asian countries (Vietnam, etc.), but they are the exceptions.
Countries with more conservative banks, not just regulation but the banks generally have more conservative lending practices... I think Canada, while hit, is a little better than in the States... Although the sheer size and reach of the US economy and interconnected markets are hurting most countries I think...
Government Service IPT is currently hiring, and they are looking to fill 100 position before the year ends. I hope these is a good news for those looking in the Greater DC area. The firm is not about glamor, but will help you pull through during the recession.
Don't look at large firms for hiring, they are still trying to weather the storm. Firms that will be picking up people are mid-size and smaller firms or government agency.
operating on the assumption that we're trying to be honest and realistic here -- just for the record, there still are plenty of small to mid-sized firms treading water too - our game plan is survival through the end of 2010. after that, we might be able to start growing again.
I hope everyone checks in with their architecture schools this week especially if you are recent grads, career fair season is upon us so polish those resumes.
Layoffs....layoffs......
Guy behind my just packed his things into a box and was escorted out....and he and his wife are about to have a baby in a couple weeks. sucks. One of 10 layoffs today.
Make: try Aldi's, a working man's Trader Joes (its "cousin"). Cheap, decent produce and meats, and store-label products good quality. It's a German model of efficiency; cash, debit card, or link card only.
6 People got laid off from our company here in dc last week. Is 2010 and people are still getting laid off. Ouch.
I was just told that HOK Chicago laid off 150. This doesn't sound possible, as I believe that would be half the office. Over-embellishment?
HOK Chicago doesn't even have that many people. I think at some point last year they were only around 120 in that office.
I don't even think the Mothership St. Louis office has 300 people...
So that's a total overembellishment... I'm sure they have laid people off though...
i swear i saw that hok chicago just posted a number of position to their website like two weeks ago? but they're all gone now.
and i would just like to mention that i applied to one and received TWO rejections. at least i heard something.
as for chicago grocery stores-i'm a big fan of stanley's though sometimes the cheapness of the produce IS too good go be true. but 5 (small) pomegranates for $1? and bananas are always cheaper there than anywhere else.
i do like caputos on the far west side, but it's just too far for no car.
haven't been to the dill pickle coop in logan square yet, but have heard it's maybe not worth it if you don't live in the neighborhood.
loco77...which DC firm is it that just had the layoff? I haven't heard of as many opportunities in DC in the last month or so (even compared to the slim pickings of 2009). I would expect more layoffs around town as project continue to finish up.
I am so tired of you whimpy a-holes. HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU HAVE TO SAY GIVE NAMES TO THE PLACES LAYING OFF!!!!!!! DAMN IS IT REALLY THAT HARD. IF NOT DONT POST ANYTHING. THANKS FOR THE USELESS INFORMATION - JUST AS GOOD AS SAYING 10 PEOPLE GOT LAID OFF ON EARTH. DROP NAMES SO WE CAN GET AN IDEA.
WHERE ARE MED OR ARCHMED TO WHINE WHEN YOU REALLY NEED THEM?
Word on the street is that TVS had another round last week of around 15 people.
GOOD JOB GRESHAM - NOW EVERYONE FOLLOW HIS LEAD
Urbandc
VOA laid off 6 people and two more which are moving. Office is getting small.
Where do you work?
Urbandc
VOA laid off 6 people and two more which are moving. Office is getting small.
Where do you work?
I'm old enough to have been through a couple of recessions in my career, and the fact that there are layoffs of this scope this late in the cycle is really, really scary.
The main problem now is that banks cannot justify making construction loans when there is so much inventory available for less than the cost of building anything new. Plus they're padding their reserves for CRE defaults and and charge offs (shoe number 2), and ARM resets (shoe number 3) due to hit the RE markets this year and next.
I got a bad feeling in my gut about all of this. While it's possible other parts of the economy may be slowly recovering, it's hard to imagine any signifcant broad based recovery in our busness for the forseeable future.
Someone please make a viable counter-argument and cheer me up.
I THINK I'LL FOLLOW JFA's LEAD AND TYPE EVERYTHING IN ALL CAPS SO EVERYBODY WILL THINK I'M SMART AND IMPORTANT.
a friend's firm in NYC is picking up work on courthouse renovations and Federal buildings worldwide, under Obama's initiative for new infrastructure projects. That firm pays $40,000 to about 6 people with 5 years experience, and $70,000 for 4 people with 10 years experience, That is how the firm was able to outbid other firms for the work, havong low salaries and payroll expenses.
My friend took a paycut from $45,000 to $40,000 but at least he still has a job. He hasn't had a review or a raise in over 2 years, but is afraid to even ask, because out in NYC, there are a lot of people who would love to even work at all. Not sure of the firm name. it's a small firm in midtown under the principal's name, nothing famous or new wave in design, but at least they are surviving without having to fire anyone.
I just scored an interview with a firm in midtown manhattan, just got the callback tonight!!!
The principal called me --after he asked a few questions and I asked him a few questions of my own, it seems there were hundreds of applicants from all over the country. The only reason I got a shot was because of my Revit experience. The firm is just starting out on Revit and I have 2 Revit projects under my belt. I can only hope for the best. I'm not naming firm name because I need all the help I can get...without too much competition, sorry folks. I hope this pans out, I've been running freelance projects and unemployment for a year and a half !!
Charlotte - Thats awesome man! Lemme know how it goes!
aldo - i wish i could...
just heard from one of our clients (they are in the university system in georgia) that the governor (sonny!) took the list of recommendations for funding of projects and just gutted it for their final budget proposal. the count:
on the recommended list: 11 const. projects, 8 design/build projects, 11 design only. total value: 250M (22M which was design only).
in the final budget: 2 const. projects, 2 design projects. no design/build. total value: just under 5M for the design work, about 30 for the const.
d.a.m.n.
what does that mean for everyone in atlanta? the one 'sure fire' source of work just lost all of it. and, to boot, the two design projects being funded are far, far away from the city....
i can guarantee there will be more layoffs in town throughout the year. no way possible we come out with a net add before it's done.
what's the date again? only jan. 22nd?
For anyone who's interested, apparently even the substitute teaching thing is getting inundated with too many applicants :
Note: Until further notice, Chicago Public Schools is currently only accepting applicants who hold an Illinois State Teaching Certificate and have a degree in Education
So much for that.
I'm going to look into wait-staff -- I feel like I'm the type who could make some serious cash doing that. Although waitstaff in this town is often an actual career move, and there are tons of people with much more experience and interest in it than myself. Oh well... I'm up for anything! Frankly I'm still kind of excited about a change of pace from architecture, to be honest. Plus I have no kids or house payment, thank God.
Well that is a bummer Mantaray but try applying to the suburban towns of Oak Park, Evanston, Cicero, and Forest Park. Chicago has home rule so they act independent of the rest of Cook County.
Good thinking PJN26, but unfortunately I don't have a car, so I'm a bit limited to the city. I am pursuing every avenue I find however!
most of the places I mentioned are served by the CTA. Think of it as a design challenge you are here and you have to design a route to work.
Ha ha ha, for heavens sakes, I know how to get around the city, I haven't owned a car for 11 years. I cannot, however, afford to take a job that requires nearly 3 hours of transit a day, unless it's going to pay me a heck of a lot more than $90. That works out to less than $9 / hour. For that I may as well work at the Starbucks on my own block, and have consistent shifts. I appreciate your tenacity in being helpful but it looks like subbing isn't in the cards for me.
Some Ideas to bounce off of all of you
Do you have plans to form a group of designers who are unemployed to 1 support each other, 2 take inventory of the skills, technology, and tools available, and 3 possibly keep at each other to keep skills up-to date?
To make it work I think it would be best to take a multi disciplinary approach.
Recruit Graphic Designers, architects, urban planners, Zine authors, web designers, artist of all types. Think of it as a posy of designers out to round up work. If you only hang out with architects you will probably have a hard time finding an occasional freelance job. I think galleries are still going to need exhibitions laid out and now and then you might find a small business that serves the various design industries is ready to make some improvements to their space, or know someone who is ready to add an ADA toilet, or a better display window or awning.
Another idea to look for work
Try manufactured building companies
Awning and sign companies
Insurance companies (particularly engineering types)
If you have the equipment why not open an apartment / house cleaning, painting and decorating service, I don’t see that many of these around right now that look like they can do all three well.
Try textile designing, the cad work you did on facades and sections is vector based and easily transferable to various media sizes and types might make interesting graphic design. Also think about wall stickers, window decals and other decorative products such as stencil books, or Iron on transfers.
You could also try using your tape measure and free time to measure and model existing buildings in Revit or CAD. Go to the land lords and say hey I want access to make a cad model of your building so that when a potential tenant comes along you can quickly get to work fitting out the space. You create a Revit model, they don’t have to pay for it until they need it and you get cash for your work later on and possibly a foot in the door with the firms doing the design work or the landlord making the renovations. Existing building stock has to be documented accurately before it can be renovated, so this might be a way to stay active. It might be useful to demo the energy modeling and other neto stuff the software can do to convince owners to possibly pay a little up front for this work as it will be an advantage when things pick up again.
Another idea that I recently stumbled on is due to the rescission some restaurants and cafes have access to adjacent space and will need someone who knows building codes to help navigate and do studies on how much might be involved in expanding. Lots of indy coffee shops near colleges might need our help in navigating and negotiating a permanent or temporary annexation of adjacent vacant store fronts.
World AIDS day is coming up some communities do a wonderful event called Artist Against Aids AAA, Architects are needed to find venues, do the minimal work to make them accessible and get the temp permits to have a gallery event in a space. Tons of exposure for the vacant space should win over the landlord, and you would be surprised how easy it is to fill a space with cool stuff. One trick let artist elect to retain 50% of the proceeds. Takes work and takes the talents not concentrated in the architectural profession networking is easier when it is not exclusively serving personal interest.
seriously is this ever going to end? i'm doing graphic design for a dog shampoo firm in chicago on the side and being a chairlift operator here in chicago. but seriously, this seems like it's just never going to fucking end.
seriously is this ever going to end? i'm doing graphic design for a dog shampoo firm in chicago on the side and being a chairlift operator here in montan. but seriously, this seems like it's just never going to fucking end.
interesting thoughts, PJ. I like where you're going with this.
PJN26
No matter the state of the Economy, Architects in particular, should never do ANY work for FREE! It's a loosing mindset..and so typical of architects. This is a direct result of the egocentric education one receives steeped heavily in theory/studio based training....more thoughts on this profession to follow soon...
The only way an architect retires is to die!
What if someone opened up a sort of Architecture Store? As in, a shop similar to a bookshop/boutique guitar store, filled with portfolios and models of built work (to lessen chances of stolen ideas). These items would be associated with their designers of course, and individuals or firms seeking to commission/contract out some work could come in and 'shop' the regional talent. Work can be placed on consignment, and the shopkeep could take a percentage of the sale (or an up front payment) that adjusts according to the placement of the consignee's work. You could also have a small coffee shop inside to facilitate lengthy perusing or casual interviews. And shoot, toss an Architecture 5¢ dude in there for good measure.
Hey le bossman, I thought you were doing something along the lines of ski instruction in Montana or something. Are you back in the Chi already? I love the dog shampoo gig though...what a fcking conversation starter.
frankly nlw2 I've often thought that the AIA should function that way (partially). In that they should have a streetfront level, walk in "shop" with their local member portfolios on display and experienced staff working in the open who can be approached to help talk to someone and guide someone who is thinking of having work done and doesn't know where to start. Instead of publishing dorky b&w pamphlets that both are totally insufficient informationally AND lack the human touch that usually gets people to work with an architect. Imagine if someone who is daydreaming at work about adding on to their house, could just drop in on their way to the train station to head home that night, and someone is there to encourage their vision and light their imagination on fire? How many dreams might be set in motion if only there were an open, transparent, and friendly expert to help foster them?
Based on that NYT article, $50,000 worth in a year for one dude.
Bah, F the man. Lets a get a business plan written up. You'd need enough startup capital for a cashbox, a netbook, Quickbooks, and rent. Everything else would be provided by the consignees.
Oh yes, and another thing, since I'm tired.
OH GOD! MY IMAGINATION!!! IT BUUURNS!
Well I hope I did not give the impression that we should give services for free to anyone. I think it is a question of values that each one has to figure out when doing pro-bono work, but for the “clients” documenting existing buildings can be lucrative once the economy picks up. Unless the existing building is going to be leveled documenting existing conditions is necessary and also can be a pain for big firms or firms from out of town. You sell them your models or drawings not give them away. Again look for problems that you can help solve. Design is all about solving problems. Architects are the solution to our problems. So go out looking for trouble.
more layoffs in one of Pittsburghs largest firms: Astorino
http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2010/01/18/daily56.html?surround=lfn
At this rate it seems there will be no more architecture firms in the states as the year progresses. What interesting about the american layoff situation for architecture is that the majority of my friends in other countries are still employed...dont get me wrong its slow but architecture in america just seems like a slaughter house.
I suggest everyone who is laid off or otherwise, get qualifications in some healthcare/IT related field, because i dont see this getting any better for next 5 years.
Jamesbondish, which countries?
As an European who lived in 4 different European countries for the last 5 years (now in Asia), I didn't see the situation in Europe much better.
UK/Ireland and Spain, which were BY FAR the countries where more construction took place before the crash, are in a terrible situation for architects. Somewhere I read that between 40-60% of architects in the UK have lost their job and the British Government has stated that architecture is the most affected profession by the recession. I don't know a single firm in London who has not axed people (SOM went from 100 to around 20 people, Foster fired 400 persons in one day...). Eastern Europe, that was supposed to be a new El Dorado, has been terribly affected as well because of the crisis. The economic situation in some of these countries (for instance, the "Baltic Tigers") is very bad, with extremely high unemployment and consumption reduced to virtually zero.
Dubai has totally crashed and the rest of the Middle East has suffered much as well. Layoffs were wide spread in 2008/early 2009 in many Western offices in China and some of them closed the shop. Now it seems it is recovering but I'm extremely cautious about South East Asia as those are very volatile and speculative economies.
I even know a couple of people who moved back to their native South Africa (which I guessed because of the World Cup it would be a good opportunity), and they were surprised how the construction industry has slown down there as well.
Probably there are some places in the world where the crisis didn't affect that much. Germany and Switzerland, Brazil, India, some "new" South Asian countries (Vietnam, etc.), but they are the exceptions.
Countries with more conservative banks, not just regulation but the banks generally have more conservative lending practices... I think Canada, while hit, is a little better than in the States... Although the sheer size and reach of the US economy and interconnected markets are hurting most countries I think...
Banks in some places self regulate a little better than here in the US...
4 more RTKL DC MEP today, one a 20 plus veteran. Possibly more in other offices and/or Architecural. The Money job wrapped a week or two ago.
RTKL Baltimore, additional 4 mep. And, Madrid closed last week.
we had to lay off a part time marketing coordinator earlier this week. not fun at all...
layon.. !
4 person firm picking up work from larger failed companies that fell out of business.
as well as temp census night work
a turn around? likely so.
Government Service IPT is currently hiring, and they are looking to fill 100 position before the year ends. I hope these is a good news for those looking in the Greater DC area. The firm is not about glamor, but will help you pull through during the recession.
usajobs is advertising a few architect/construction manager -related positions
Don't look at large firms for hiring, they are still trying to weather the storm. Firms that will be picking up people are mid-size and smaller firms or government agency.
operating on the assumption that we're trying to be honest and realistic here -- just for the record, there still are plenty of small to mid-sized firms treading water too - our game plan is survival through the end of 2010. after that, we might be able to start growing again.
I hope everyone checks in with their architecture schools this week especially if you are recent grads, career fair season is upon us so polish those resumes.
um...is this the same dude that just started a thread amounted to begging for a job anywhere, anytime?
HOPE and CHANGE...yeah, and monkeys are going to fly out of my butt if I just wish hard enough.
That must be good stuff that the younger crowd is on (about 35 y.o. and younger)...
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