I've been around these boards for a few years, and rarely post, but I know this forum has some fanastic people with very diverse backgrounds .....with that said, I am asking for some friendly advice in reference to my personal professional development...
I'll get right to the point...
Background:
Bachelor of Arts (in Architecture) 2003
M. Arch in May 2006 ....
Summer Internships 2002-2005
I have been working full-time at corporate architectural firm since May of 2006. I would clasify my role within the firm as such:
85% of the time working on marketing presentations. This includes helping on rough schematic design of a project we are going after, producing master site plans, plans, elevations, full blown renderings (sketchup) and finally putting all of these design ideas into Powerpoint. Since my arrival in 2006, I have been involved in over 25 presentations with my company and as a result have won over 100 Million Dollars in projects (total project budgets). I can say that I am very good at what I do, both in photoshop and sketchup. I have worked with various teams within our company (from schools to garages) and I mesh very well. I am a team player with excellent communication skills.
15% of my time I have been working on the early stages of projects that we have won -- this includes schematic design within autocad, and early renderings / mass models to show the client where we are headed. I am currently juggling 4 projects at once that are all in the "beginning" stages.
Now to my dilemma.... Back in May of this year I voiced my opinion during my annual review for the need to be involved with construction documents. Not only is my IDP (which i am 75% compelted) lacking the credits within the CDs, but my personal development has not gotten to where I want. My technical skills are terrible, yes terrible, and I feel like I do all these pretty pictures, but do not understand how a damn building is constructed. The principal understood my concern and his answer was "we have alot of projects that are wrapping up, and a bunch that are just starting, when we get to a project where we are going into CDs, remind me and I'll get you involved".
Well, 6 months later, I am still doing marketing. I pull all-nighters once or twice a month for these presentations, and frankly, I am afraid I am going to be burnt out. People in the office joke around with me saying I am the "marketing monkey", etc. etc.. They know I have talent, and they keep telling me to get put onto real projects and to stop working in "fantasy land".
So, I am planning on voicing my opinion to the principal that I need to maybe have 80% of my time on current projects in CDs, and 20% of my time helping with marketing. I would love to mentor or help someone with marketing and show them how we do presentations, but they seem reluctant to hire someone. Why hire someone when I'm doing all the dirty work, and successfully?
Advice on what I should say? I do not want to demand anything, but I feel like my personal development is not where it should be.
Thank you for reading, and thank you in advance of any responses.....
CD
cmdace18
Nov 13, 17 10:58 pm
How about my update to this thread, 7 1/2 years later? I’m still at the same firm, a licensed architect, project manager and senior staff member. I guess persistence pays off :)
And here is my reflection on all of my posts from so long ago. All of that marketing work is invaluable to my career. I am appreciative for the graphics work and seeing the up front business development needed to secure work. At the time, seemed liked my career was in the balance and the time at my firm was worthless. I think it priceless, actually. Molded me into the professional I am today.
Kinda weird reading my thoughts from so long ago. I’ll update ya’ll in 2025. Cya!
ArchNyen
Nov 14, 17 12:27 am
thanks for the update and congratulations on your license.
Do you enjoy CD's as much as you thought you would? or do you prefer the pretty picture task over CD's/production?
cmdace18
Nov 14, 17 12:36 am
I never thought I would love CD’s, I just knew that I had to learn the technical side of what we do. What I really enjoy is the overall
cmdace18
Nov 14, 17 12:39 am
management of the project and direct interaction with the client. Every day is a new task, a new learning experience and it jumps from the micro of solving issues to the macro of running a meeting. I’m just thankful I stuck it out, because there is no doubt the years of up front design work have made me a better professional.
Hey Folks,
I've been around these boards for a few years, and rarely post, but I know this forum has some fanastic people with very diverse backgrounds .....with that said, I am asking for some friendly advice in reference to my personal professional development...
I'll get right to the point...
Background:
Bachelor of Arts (in Architecture) 2003
M. Arch in May 2006 ....
Summer Internships 2002-2005
I have been working full-time at corporate architectural firm since May of 2006. I would clasify my role within the firm as such:
85% of the time working on marketing presentations. This includes helping on rough schematic design of a project we are going after, producing master site plans, plans, elevations, full blown renderings (sketchup) and finally putting all of these design ideas into Powerpoint. Since my arrival in 2006, I have been involved in over 25 presentations with my company and as a result have won over 100 Million Dollars in projects (total project budgets). I can say that I am very good at what I do, both in photoshop and sketchup. I have worked with various teams within our company (from schools to garages) and I mesh very well. I am a team player with excellent communication skills.
15% of my time I have been working on the early stages of projects that we have won -- this includes schematic design within autocad, and early renderings / mass models to show the client where we are headed. I am currently juggling 4 projects at once that are all in the "beginning" stages.
Now to my dilemma.... Back in May of this year I voiced my opinion during my annual review for the need to be involved with construction documents. Not only is my IDP (which i am 75% compelted) lacking the credits within the CDs, but my personal development has not gotten to where I want. My technical skills are terrible, yes terrible, and I feel like I do all these pretty pictures, but do not understand how a damn building is constructed. The principal understood my concern and his answer was "we have alot of projects that are wrapping up, and a bunch that are just starting, when we get to a project where we are going into CDs, remind me and I'll get you involved".
Well, 6 months later, I am still doing marketing. I pull all-nighters once or twice a month for these presentations, and frankly, I am afraid I am going to be burnt out. People in the office joke around with me saying I am the "marketing monkey", etc. etc.. They know I have talent, and they keep telling me to get put onto real projects and to stop working in "fantasy land".
So, I am planning on voicing my opinion to the principal that I need to maybe have 80% of my time on current projects in CDs, and 20% of my time helping with marketing. I would love to mentor or help someone with marketing and show them how we do presentations, but they seem reluctant to hire someone. Why hire someone when I'm doing all the dirty work, and successfully?
Advice on what I should say? I do not want to demand anything, but I feel like my personal development is not where it should be.
Thank you for reading, and thank you in advance of any responses.....
CD
How about my update to this thread, 7 1/2 years later? I’m still at the same firm, a licensed architect, project manager and senior staff member. I guess persistence pays off :)
And here is my reflection on all of my posts from so long ago. All of that marketing work is invaluable to my career. I am appreciative for the graphics work and seeing the up front business development needed to secure work. At the time, seemed liked my career was in the balance and the time at my firm was worthless. I think it priceless, actually. Molded me into the professional I am today.
Kinda weird reading my thoughts from so long ago. I’ll update ya’ll in 2025. Cya!
thanks for the update and congratulations on your license.
Do you enjoy CD's as much as you thought you would? or do you prefer the pretty picture task over CD's/production?
I never thought I would love CD’s, I just knew that I had to learn the technical side of what we do. What I really enjoy is the overall
management of the project and direct interaction with the client. Every day is a new task, a new learning experience and it jumps from the micro of solving issues to the macro of running a meeting. I’m just thankful I stuck it out, because there is no doubt the years of up front design work have made me a better professional.