"...but belive me, I have hundreds of folks who are changing (not quiting there jobs, but just change - once they become successful in this industry, they "then" quit there job(s)...."
robertorgonzalez - do you even know the name of this thread? Its about lay-off, people in here are considered lucky if they can QUIT! These days there is not enough work, and you are talking about quitting job?! You are on a wrong thread, even if your magic works...
so...... has anyone managed to improve what is on their resume in the last year?
Its weird, I had to relocate 3 times last year for work and they were the best three things Ive ever worked on. Shit is definitely fucked up, and I guess Ive been lucky, but there is cool stuff going on.
wrestling lions and endlessly fiddling with mirrors is probably safer, more fun and profitable than wrestling clients and endlessly fiddling with CAD anyhow...
that article is awesome. Heavy on the research...just the way it should be.
Screw the dollar and the baby boomers. The harder anyone works in their system the faster they invent rules and print money faster just so they can steal it all while your sleeping.
Of course the pres. of U of CT is going to tell the graduating economy to "just say yes" to whatever job comes along...he's got a 401k to keep afloat and he needs the warm bodies to feed the IRS.
When is the under 35 crowd going to introduce a new currency of exchange for goods and services?
Yes, Xing, I have former school-chums who work(ed) for RTKL LA and they've been shedding for well over a year - as well, a friend in the Dallas office says that they are shedding, too. Seems to be a trend in the larger firms as it has been everywhere else.
robertorgonzalez - Your juice thing does seem kinda culty, more so like a pyramid scheme. Whatever - if you're happy selling juice, ok... Who am I to knock it? The point you're making is you've chosen to be positive about landing work, and life in general.
Life is about choices we make, and that includes how we look at the world. Some call it the "Pollyanna" syndrome, and sometimes you just wanna CHOKE that lil Polly.... hmm.. ok.. anyway, but really we do have a choice on how to look at things, and I do believe venting is cathartic, but dwelling on it isn't very healthy. I'm as guilty of it as anyone, so no stones thrown here.
My biggest job now days is to keep a positive attitude. Approach everything I do with a good attitude, and look for the 'good' in it, something to learn, etc. This period has allowed me the time to really sit back and look at what I really want, and don't want. If I were working, I don't think I would have had the discipline to do that.
Oh yes, I'd rather be working (at a job I liked), but being forced to 'sit down' has given it's own gifts, that will effect how I go forward - life changing. Hell, I've even had the patience to read "Atlas Shrugged" cover to cover...
roobqt, Atlas Shrugged is like THE BLUEPRINT for the times we are living in.
It basically provides an outline of what and how the past has happened and what is going to happen in the future. That is, if the reader truly understands the principles Rand is trying to get across. I've spoken with quite a few people who have totally not understood her message(s).
Thats great to hear others are reading the book these days, esp. in an architecture forum where like 99% of the forum members are offended by objectivism.
i read atlas shrugged during good times, and didn't think much of it, just some fairy tale, but once economy started to sink in 2008 and i got laid off, i started to realize that the story in the book is more real, and everyday i see cases of decay in this country, and everyday i see bad decisions made by the governments, decisions that don't help people but make wealthy even wealthier or at least trying to help the wealthy lose less money...
I am not socialist or anything like that, I don't even vote in this country, because they are the same, they just promise during election and never deliver when elected, no matter what party.
I also found "Iron Heel" by Jack London to be a very interesting book, its kind of like could happen if capitalism goes way too far, but who knows, in 200 years since declaration, capitalism gone a lot further than founding fathers could've expected...
Piggy - Yes, totally! That's why I thought it appropriate to read now. It's too bad that the 'heros' (industrialists) that we have in OUR world aren't the one's she writes about - like; taking responsibility for your actions - the spoils AND the failures (insert AIG, Goldman Sachs, BofA, etc.).
In our case, the government certainly has a role, but only because the corporations (the large mega 'shops') run government with their endless stream of money, and our politicians (and judges) are puppets for their show.
In our (real world) case, it's our corporations who are the "boys in Washington," one step removed. Although the 57 page Galt rant could have been edited to about 10 pages (and I just HAD to read it all anyway), Rand made for some compelling reading.
Thanks zen, for the suggestion of Iron Heel - I'll check that out.
I'll have to check that one out. Of course, Capitalism can go too far, like the typical Republican who abuses the "free" market to outsource jobs and child slave labor by Wal Mart and Home Depot.
roobqt and zen maker I swear Atlas Shrugged is like prophetic...it is great in order to predict what the future does (or doesn't) hold as these dysgenic trajectories continue....
Exactly. I'm not at all against making EARNED money, and given the freedom to earn it. But, when 'morals' (consequences of your actions) are disregarded, and even encouraged to be ignored, is when the Capitalist system fails: this is what we're seeing happen now.
Although kinda dated, I also suggest "The End Of The Dream" by Philip Wylie. It's about runaway pollution (industry ignoring the need to change), destroying the ecosystem, and thus 'our' way of life (Western ideas of endless consumerism). I think the story is quite profound, and has stood the test of time (written in the early 1970's).
I hate to be nihilist, but the only way things will truly change is only after a total collapse of the system - and so, yes, Atlas Shrugged is indeed prophetic, as is "Dream."
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go trollop through some Tulips...
As I mentioned earlier the career fair season is upon us, or will be shortly and many a young and not so young designer is out polishing their resume and dropping some hard earned money down for a nice slick portfolio to be printed. I want to pose this to everyone here.
For a Firm, is it fair and good business (the two can often veer in different directions) to go to a career fair if your firm has no job openings and no prospects for that to change within the coming 3-6 months to a year?
Also if you do go out to a career fair please post the list of the firms there I would like to know and I bet everyone her would be interested too. They may be there for no other reason than to show off to their old college buddies or there might be a list of skills and other qualifications that they are looking out for and will make offers if they find it.
So the U of Illinois UC Career Expo will feature the following architecture, planning and landscape architecture firms. These are the ones that have announced so far:
A. Epstein And Sons International, Inc.
Aerotek A & E
American Structurepoint, Inc.
ARCON Associates, Inc.
BLDD Architects, Inc.
Booth Hansen
BSA LifeStructures
Cannon Design
Chalet
Chicago Park District
DLK Civic Design
Farnsworth Group, Inc.
FGM Architects, Inc.
Flad Architecture
Gilfillan Callahan Nelson Architects
Hok - North Central Region
HOK Sport Venue Event
Jacobs Global Buildings
Kellermeyer Godfryt Hart, P.C.
Klein and Hoffman, Inc.
Legat Architects
Leopardo Companies, Inc.
Mackey Mitchell Architects
Mariani Landscape
Massie Massie & Associates, Inc.
Partners In Design Architects, Inc.
Peckham Guyton Albers & Viets, Inc. (PGAV)
Perkins + Will Inc.
PREPA.R.E., Inc..
Project Management Advisors, Inc.
PSA-Dewberry
Raths, Raths & Johnson, Inc.
RATIO Architects, Inc.
Rosborough Partners, Inc.
Scott Byron & Co., Inc.
Shive-Hattery, Inc.
The Hezner Corporation
Thornton Tomasetti, Inc.
Walker Parking Consultants
Wight & Company
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
If you have been laid off or treated badly by any of these firms please give me the details so I can pass the info along, I suspect most of these firms are ok and don't screw people too often, but correct me if I'm incorrect.
So the Career fair came and went lots of students and recent grads showed up outnumbering the firms 4 to 1. Mostly the firms were not hiring just taking resumes, if they were hiring they were only looking for one or two temps. If they had positions for temps they want REVIT and experience. But two things seemed to be worth mentioning HOK and the new firm Populous which used to be HOK Sports and venues division were there right next to each other initially but the second day they were spread out a little further. Most of the likely job prospects were in Kansas City. Also lots of forensic engineering firms were there. I guess even in hard times buildings fall apart and owners want to know why and whom they can sue.
Please share your thoughts and experiences with career fairs this spring.
Antisthenes that is bad news. Are you licensed? Have you contacted your Alma matter to see what alumni and career services help is available? It can be references or resume reviews to training and possible direct placement. Help is out there and no matter how long ago you graduated the university you went to has a vested interest in your success. It doesn’t hurt to give a call and reestablish contact, you may find yourself surprised how much help they can be.
I heard the national park service will be hiring some people this summer to document historic landmarks.
Some of this is the stimulus at work some is to do with funds allocated a long time ago for disaster relief from Katrina as many historic sites were cut off from the mainland and only recently have been made accessible again. Not glamorous but the national park service looks better than nothing.
If you are licensed consider your church or synagogue as an opportunity to do some work through their national or international missionary efforts. My dad is a mechanical engineer who is working for the United Methodist in his retirement to rehab church summer camps this month with a group called the Nomads. If you are involved with your church you may be able to do some work and keep your skills up to date, nothing is more challenging that a near zero budget.
If you have a masters degree consider teaching at community colleges.
That’s all I can think of now, anyone else have any ideas?
Interesting that forensics engineering outfits were at a college career fair looking at candidates -- you'd think that would be the kind of job that just takes years of field experience to do properly, no?
I'm sure you need juniors in a forensic outfit. I'm sure there are repetative tasks and drawings that have to be done, and reports that have to be written. It is also probably a job where it is hard to find the right people so it is easier to 'grow your own'.
A London practice offered 14-hour a day freelance positions for £5.71 per hour (USD 8,65) for MArch RIBA Part III (eq. to AIA registered) qualified architects. For those not used to the UK salaries, the minimum wage in the UK is £5.80. A Tesco (supermarket) shelf stacker does £6.32.
2 principals hadn't been taking paychecks for a while. We got screwed on a huge invoice back in October, so we took a huge hit on that. Liens have been filled. Work that is coming in is small and there's not enough to share amongst all of us. It's been that way for a while. I haven't touched CD's since December.
Writing was on the wall. I had about 1-2 billable hours per week for the past 2 or 3 months. I've done very little over the past 1.5 years really. I was learning some, but at the same time did not like the work or the environment very well so hopefully there's a silver lining here. I'm at about 5 years post graduation and was the lowest tenured person on staff.
Word is a large firm in town laid off 25 this week. For the size of Indy, there aren't a large number of firms compared to other cities so that seems pretty big to me. 1/3 of my architecture friends in town are unemployed. Heck, one of the local arch. reprographics companies just laid off 5 this week too.
Sorry gen Acres about that - 1/3 is about right for the industry as a whole, probably more. The unscientific, but probably close, average from the survey done here is about that range. It would be nice to hear that firms have finally 'bottomed out' and have stopped laying off, but I guess that's a pipe dream.
Wish I could be more cheerful. Hey, it's a good chance to catch up on new programs, license, LEED, whatever - build up the portfolio. Spring gardening.
We may be on the turn around ladies and gents. I got laid off in mid december 2009 in Ohio and found a job in California in February. The firm is bringing in a couple more people next month because the work is picking up. I also got a call back for an interview from a firm i applied for in January. Keep hope alive.
One of the first things the forensic firms ask you is, are you afraid of heights? Apparently the young ones get strapped in and dangled over the parapet of some of Chicago’s tallest buildings. I imagine vertigo and an undiscovered fear of heights may keep lots of folks from staying with these firms. But buildings are always falling apart and someone has to map the deterioration.
The problem is they look like any other firm out there, I hope people name names from now on so we know what we are getting into. Some poor sap probably has this job. I feel sorry for him and hope the firm’s owners lose their shirts on this deal. Maybe they need to spend less cash on their fancy study models who probably make more per hour than their interns.
send them a nasty email and make sure they are banned from speaking at US schools of Architecture. I hope every school out there starts a black list of people who abuse their employees. a lot of the big names make their money on speaking tours. forward this to your Alma matter and insist they bar them or cancel them right away.
Parritt Leng builds buildings that are falling apart or they investigate buildings that are falling apart by dangling recent grads over the edge of tall buildings?
If they ask you before you are hired if you are comfortable being hung over the edge I'm not sure it's that reprehensible is it? Seems like you'd learn a lot by seeing the mistakes of others that early in your career. Certainly not as glamorous as being lead designer at some fancy pants firm but I don't think it merits banning them from speaking.
I don't fancy heights, and I have a few years experience, but I'd take that job.
care to share where you landed work rollin0219? I've been sitting idle for 8 months already and haven't even gotten as much as a 'thanks but no thanks' email.
Had an interview this week for a firm an hour outside of NYC. Not a big deal, but the architecture was economics before design. Fancy office buildings, firm is solid though, been around for 40 years...
My old salary was 73,250. I worked for big firms in NYC including SOM and have extensive design and details experience. I am 8 years out of college.
Had a 3 hour interview with one of the partners who proceeded to tell me "in this economic climate, you are worth 40,000...because our billings only let us get 5% instead of the usual 10%.
Haven't called back yet, not sure what to do for my next move. I wanted to cry. The salary he said i'm worth was my salary after 1 year out of out of college...
I'm ready to cry.
I refuse to lower myself to a lowballer who is trying to take advantage in this downturn...
Ug. Yeah that's rough. It's so disheartening when I see numbers like that, you can make that as a bank teller which doesn't even require a college degree.
: truly, I feel your pain. I feel exactly the same way that you feel every time I take a call from a prospective client or sit down with an existing client to negotiate a fee.
Compensation levels we took for granted 3-4 years ago simply aren't in the cards any more. It doesn't make our expenses any less, but it sure puts pressure on every aspect of practice these days.
Layoffs....layoffs......
We need the one true God's help not something we think we can control by HOPING that reality will change to suit our own myopic ends.
We need the one true God's help not something we think we can control by HOPING that reality will change to suit our own myopic ends.
MonaVie Distributor sounds like a cult.
Careful about drinking he kool aid, seriously.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven%27s_Gate_%28cult%29
"but beli[e]ve me"
Give me one good reason why I should believe you as opposed to not believing you?
WOW...I have 7,500 dollars to invest...can I have your bank account number I want to get a piece of that "2 billion by june of 2010..."
Lame.
Pyramid Scheme aka Ponzi Scheme aka NCARB's and the AIA's business models...
Oh and its also the same game they play in Wash DC of course...working out real well too...lame.
LAYOFFS means all you wack architects end up as elsewhere
so...... has anyone managed to improve what is on their resume in the last year?
"...but belive me, I have hundreds of folks who are changing (not quiting there jobs, but just change - once they become successful in this industry, they "then" quit there job(s)...."
robertorgonzalez - do you even know the name of this thread? Its about lay-off, people in here are considered lucky if they can QUIT! These days there is not enough work, and you are talking about quitting job?! You are on a wrong thread, even if your magic works...
robertgonzales is a mexiCANT not a mexiCAN
Its weird, I had to relocate 3 times last year for work and they were the best three things Ive ever worked on. Shit is definitely fucked up, and I guess Ive been lucky, but there is cool stuff going on.
"These days there is not enough work, and you are talking about quitting job?! You are on a wrong thread, even if your magic works..."
Maybe roberto ought to try applying for a Las Vegas gig like Copperfield
roberto the magnificent
wrestling lions and endlessly fiddling with mirrors is probably safer, more fun and profitable than wrestling clients and endlessly fiddling with CAD anyhow...
don't forget the after partys at the MGM Grand
that article is awesome. Heavy on the research...just the way it should be.
Screw the dollar and the baby boomers. The harder anyone works in their system the faster they invent rules and print money faster just so they can steal it all while your sleeping.
Of course the pres. of U of CT is going to tell the graduating economy to "just say yes" to whatever job comes along...he's got a 401k to keep afloat and he needs the warm bodies to feed the IRS.
When is the under 35 crowd going to introduce a new currency of exchange for goods and services?
Seriously. Level the playing field.
replace graduating "economy" above with "class"
(that was weird)
Oh yeah..almost forgot to ask how all that HOPE and CHANGE (cough cough *communism* cough cough) is working out for you and me?
Yes, Xing, I have former school-chums who work(ed) for RTKL LA and they've been shedding for well over a year - as well, a friend in the Dallas office says that they are shedding, too. Seems to be a trend in the larger firms as it has been everywhere else.
Hey Piggy... please find a better role model than Sarah Palin....
robertorgonzalez - Your juice thing does seem kinda culty, more so like a pyramid scheme. Whatever - if you're happy selling juice, ok... Who am I to knock it? The point you're making is you've chosen to be positive about landing work, and life in general.
Life is about choices we make, and that includes how we look at the world. Some call it the "Pollyanna" syndrome, and sometimes you just wanna CHOKE that lil Polly.... hmm.. ok.. anyway, but really we do have a choice on how to look at things, and I do believe venting is cathartic, but dwelling on it isn't very healthy. I'm as guilty of it as anyone, so no stones thrown here.
My biggest job now days is to keep a positive attitude. Approach everything I do with a good attitude, and look for the 'good' in it, something to learn, etc. This period has allowed me the time to really sit back and look at what I really want, and don't want. If I were working, I don't think I would have had the discipline to do that.
Oh yes, I'd rather be working (at a job I liked), but being forced to 'sit down' has given it's own gifts, that will effect how I go forward - life changing. Hell, I've even had the patience to read "Atlas Shrugged" cover to cover...
Ummm...who is Sarah Palin? Another George Bush? No thanks, I'll pass. Worse than Barry Soetoro alias Obama.
roobqt, Atlas Shrugged is like THE BLUEPRINT for the times we are living in.
It basically provides an outline of what and how the past has happened and what is going to happen in the future. That is, if the reader truly understands the principles Rand is trying to get across. I've spoken with quite a few people who have totally not understood her message(s).
Thats great to hear others are reading the book these days, esp. in an architecture forum where like 99% of the forum members are offended by objectivism.
i read atlas shrugged during good times, and didn't think much of it, just some fairy tale, but once economy started to sink in 2008 and i got laid off, i started to realize that the story in the book is more real, and everyday i see cases of decay in this country, and everyday i see bad decisions made by the governments, decisions that don't help people but make wealthy even wealthier or at least trying to help the wealthy lose less money...
I am not socialist or anything like that, I don't even vote in this country, because they are the same, they just promise during election and never deliver when elected, no matter what party.
I also found "Iron Heel" by Jack London to be a very interesting book, its kind of like could happen if capitalism goes way too far, but who knows, in 200 years since declaration, capitalism gone a lot further than founding fathers could've expected...
Piggy - Yes, totally! That's why I thought it appropriate to read now. It's too bad that the 'heros' (industrialists) that we have in OUR world aren't the one's she writes about - like; taking responsibility for your actions - the spoils AND the failures (insert AIG, Goldman Sachs, BofA, etc.).
In our case, the government certainly has a role, but only because the corporations (the large mega 'shops') run government with their endless stream of money, and our politicians (and judges) are puppets for their show.
In our (real world) case, it's our corporations who are the "boys in Washington," one step removed. Although the 57 page Galt rant could have been edited to about 10 pages (and I just HAD to read it all anyway), Rand made for some compelling reading.
Thanks zen, for the suggestion of Iron Heel - I'll check that out.
"I also found "Iron Heel" by Jack London"
I'll have to check that one out. Of course, Capitalism can go too far, like the typical Republican who abuses the "free" market to outsource jobs and child slave labor by Wal Mart and Home Depot.
roobqt and zen maker I swear Atlas Shrugged is like prophetic...it is great in order to predict what the future does (or doesn't) hold as these dysgenic trajectories continue....
Exactly. I'm not at all against making EARNED money, and given the freedom to earn it. But, when 'morals' (consequences of your actions) are disregarded, and even encouraged to be ignored, is when the Capitalist system fails: this is what we're seeing happen now.
Although kinda dated, I also suggest "The End Of The Dream" by Philip Wylie. It's about runaway pollution (industry ignoring the need to change), destroying the ecosystem, and thus 'our' way of life (Western ideas of endless consumerism). I think the story is quite profound, and has stood the test of time (written in the early 1970's).
I hate to be nihilist, but the only way things will truly change is only after a total collapse of the system - and so, yes, Atlas Shrugged is indeed prophetic, as is "Dream."
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go trollop through some Tulips...
As I mentioned earlier the career fair season is upon us, or will be shortly and many a young and not so young designer is out polishing their resume and dropping some hard earned money down for a nice slick portfolio to be printed. I want to pose this to everyone here.
For a Firm, is it fair and good business (the two can often veer in different directions) to go to a career fair if your firm has no job openings and no prospects for that to change within the coming 3-6 months to a year?
Also if you do go out to a career fair please post the list of the firms there I would like to know and I bet everyone her would be interested too. They may be there for no other reason than to show off to their old college buddies or there might be a list of skills and other qualifications that they are looking out for and will make offers if they find it.
So the U of Illinois UC Career Expo will feature the following architecture, planning and landscape architecture firms. These are the ones that have announced so far:
A. Epstein And Sons International, Inc.
Aerotek A & E
American Structurepoint, Inc.
ARCON Associates, Inc.
BLDD Architects, Inc.
Booth Hansen
BSA LifeStructures
Cannon Design
Chalet
Chicago Park District
DLK Civic Design
Farnsworth Group, Inc.
FGM Architects, Inc.
Flad Architecture
Gilfillan Callahan Nelson Architects
Hok - North Central Region
HOK Sport Venue Event
Jacobs Global Buildings
Kellermeyer Godfryt Hart, P.C.
Klein and Hoffman, Inc.
Legat Architects
Leopardo Companies, Inc.
Mackey Mitchell Architects
Mariani Landscape
Massie Massie & Associates, Inc.
Partners In Design Architects, Inc.
Peckham Guyton Albers & Viets, Inc. (PGAV)
Perkins + Will Inc.
PREPA.R.E., Inc..
Project Management Advisors, Inc.
PSA-Dewberry
Raths, Raths & Johnson, Inc.
RATIO Architects, Inc.
Rosborough Partners, Inc.
Scott Byron & Co., Inc.
Shive-Hattery, Inc.
The Hezner Corporation
Thornton Tomasetti, Inc.
Walker Parking Consultants
Wight & Company
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
If you have been laid off or treated badly by any of these firms please give me the details so I can pass the info along, I suspect most of these firms are ok and don't screw people too often, but correct me if I'm incorrect.
So the Career fair came and went lots of students and recent grads showed up outnumbering the firms 4 to 1. Mostly the firms were not hiring just taking resumes, if they were hiring they were only looking for one or two temps. If they had positions for temps they want REVIT and experience. But two things seemed to be worth mentioning HOK and the new firm Populous which used to be HOK Sports and venues division were there right next to each other initially but the second day they were spread out a little further. Most of the likely job prospects were in Kansas City. Also lots of forensic engineering firms were there. I guess even in hard times buildings fall apart and owners want to know why and whom they can sue.
Please share your thoughts and experiences with career fairs this spring.
ok re laid off
i spoke to soon
where to pick up contract work?
Antisthenes that is bad news. Are you licensed? Have you contacted your Alma matter to see what alumni and career services help is available? It can be references or resume reviews to training and possible direct placement. Help is out there and no matter how long ago you graduated the university you went to has a vested interest in your success. It doesn’t hurt to give a call and reestablish contact, you may find yourself surprised how much help they can be.
I heard the national park service will be hiring some people this summer to document historic landmarks.
http://www.nps.gov/aboutus/workwithus.htm
Some of this is the stimulus at work some is to do with funds allocated a long time ago for disaster relief from Katrina as many historic sites were cut off from the mainland and only recently have been made accessible again. Not glamorous but the national park service looks better than nothing.
If you are licensed consider your church or synagogue as an opportunity to do some work through their national or international missionary efforts. My dad is a mechanical engineer who is working for the United Methodist in his retirement to rehab church summer camps this month with a group called the Nomads. If you are involved with your church you may be able to do some work and keep your skills up to date, nothing is more challenging that a near zero budget.
If you have a masters degree consider teaching at community colleges.
That’s all I can think of now, anyone else have any ideas?
Interesting that forensics engineering outfits were at a college career fair looking at candidates -- you'd think that would be the kind of job that just takes years of field experience to do properly, no?
I'm sure you need juniors in a forensic outfit. I'm sure there are repetative tasks and drawings that have to be done, and reports that have to be written. It is also probably a job where it is hard to find the right people so it is easier to 'grow your own'.
Check this article on Building Design Online. I found it really interesting in order to see how things are in the UK.
http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=426&storycode=3159752&channel=783&c=1
A London practice offered 14-hour a day freelance positions for £5.71 per hour (USD 8,65) for MArch RIBA Part III (eq. to AIA registered) qualified architects. For those not used to the UK salaries, the minimum wage in the UK is £5.80. A Tesco (supermarket) shelf stacker does £6.32.
Worth also reading the comments.
I was let go today.
Indianapolis, In.
7-person firm
I was there for 3 years.
2 principals hadn't been taking paychecks for a while. We got screwed on a huge invoice back in October, so we took a huge hit on that. Liens have been filled. Work that is coming in is small and there's not enough to share amongst all of us. It's been that way for a while. I haven't touched CD's since December.
Writing was on the wall. I had about 1-2 billable hours per week for the past 2 or 3 months. I've done very little over the past 1.5 years really. I was learning some, but at the same time did not like the work or the environment very well so hopefully there's a silver lining here. I'm at about 5 years post graduation and was the lowest tenured person on staff.
Word is a large firm in town laid off 25 this week. For the size of Indy, there aren't a large number of firms compared to other cities so that seems pretty big to me. 1/3 of my architecture friends in town are unemployed. Heck, one of the local arch. reprographics companies just laid off 5 this week too.
This should be fun.
Sorry gen Acres about that - 1/3 is about right for the industry as a whole, probably more. The unscientific, but probably close, average from the survey done here is about that range. It would be nice to hear that firms have finally 'bottomed out' and have stopped laying off, but I guess that's a pipe dream.
Wish I could be more cheerful. Hey, it's a good chance to catch up on new programs, license, LEED, whatever - build up the portfolio. Spring gardening.
We may be on the turn around ladies and gents. I got laid off in mid december 2009 in Ohio and found a job in California in February. The firm is bringing in a couple more people next month because the work is picking up. I also got a call back for an interview from a firm i applied for in January. Keep hope alive.
Hey thanks - I will -
One of the first things the forensic firms ask you is, are you afraid of heights? Apparently the young ones get strapped in and dangled over the parapet of some of Chicago’s tallest buildings. I imagine vertigo and an undiscovered fear of heights may keep lots of folks from staying with these firms. But buildings are always falling apart and someone has to map the deterioration.
That Firm in London
http://www.parrittleng.com/
Can we start a new thread the wall of shame?
The problem is they look like any other firm out there, I hope people name names from now on so we know what we are getting into. Some poor sap probably has this job. I feel sorry for him and hope the firm’s owners lose their shirts on this deal. Maybe they need to spend less cash on their fancy study models who probably make more per hour than their interns.
send them a nasty email and make sure they are banned from speaking at US schools of Architecture. I hope every school out there starts a black list of people who abuse their employees. a lot of the big names make their money on speaking tours. forward this to your Alma matter and insist they bar them or cancel them right away.
PJN26
I'm not following you.
Parritt Leng builds buildings that are falling apart or they investigate buildings that are falling apart by dangling recent grads over the edge of tall buildings?
If they ask you before you are hired if you are comfortable being hung over the edge I'm not sure it's that reprehensible is it? Seems like you'd learn a lot by seeing the mistakes of others that early in your career. Certainly not as glamorous as being lead designer at some fancy pants firm but I don't think it merits banning them from speaking.
I don't fancy heights, and I have a few years experience, but I'd take that job.
care to share where you landed work rollin0219? I've been sitting idle for 8 months already and haven't even gotten as much as a 'thanks but no thanks' email.
sorry I was covering two topics in one post. Parritt Leng has nothing to do with the first paragraph it is response to mantaray's post.
Ah gotcha. I check into this thread from time to time, but I've missed a few posts, so I guess I was reading that a bit out of context.
Had an interview this week for a firm an hour outside of NYC. Not a big deal, but the architecture was economics before design. Fancy office buildings, firm is solid though, been around for 40 years...
My old salary was 73,250. I worked for big firms in NYC including SOM and have extensive design and details experience. I am 8 years out of college.
Had a 3 hour interview with one of the partners who proceeded to tell me "in this economic climate, you are worth 40,000...because our billings only let us get 5% instead of the usual 10%.
Haven't called back yet, not sure what to do for my next move. I wanted to cry. The salary he said i'm worth was my salary after 1 year out of out of college...
I'm ready to cry.
I refuse to lower myself to a lowballer who is trying to take advantage in this downturn...
Ug. Yeah that's rough. It's so disheartening when I see numbers like that, you can make that as a bank teller which doesn't even require a college degree.
: truly, I feel your pain. I feel exactly the same way that you feel every time I take a call from a prospective client or sit down with an existing client to negotiate a fee.
Compensation levels we took for granted 3-4 years ago simply aren't in the cards any more. It doesn't make our expenses any less, but it sure puts pressure on every aspect of practice these days.
Charlotte. Anyone who tells you how much you're "worth" is full of shit and has no idea what the fuck they are talking about to begin with.
What you were making before was appropriate but still not entirey enough for NYC.
I saw an ad recently for an architect position:
Requirements:
3-6 years of experience
LEED
Mastery of REVIT, AUTOCAD, photoshop, sketchup, 3dmax,
familiarity of with IBC, NYC, connecticut, and NJ building codes,
AND
Not a paid position!!!!!!
People who make ads like this should have their licences revoked, and their practices liquidated for good.
Sorry guys but in the end of the day it's ALL about money.
any advise on this situation or what I can do for a follow up reply?
Thanks in advance, friends!
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