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jm22
Joined: 14 May 2006
Posts: 2
Location: BAY AREA CA
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 Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 6:50 am Post subject: Large Arch'l Firm (100 person) or Small firm (15 person)? |
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Hello everyone,
I have a problem regarding my job, I'm based here in the bay area, california.. I am currently working in a small firm, for 2 years now, I have learned a few things in ADA, Building Codes, mentored by an architect, etc etc... I recently got an offer in a larger firm, around 105 person. Question is, If I go and accept that offer, my collegues are saying that I will be stuck doing cad for them, I won't be learning and experiencing a project from start to finish, in other words be stuck as a CAD jockey. Should I stay or should I go? Thanks in advance! |
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MongoPac
Joined: 14 May 2006
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 9:36 am Post subject: |
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The experience with a large firm really depends on the culture of the firm, and that varies a lot. You should ask the large firm questions about its organization, how it pushes out product, to whom you would be reporting and, most importantly, questions about to whom your immediate superior reports and, if you can somehow get it out of them, how long he/she has held that position.
As a general rule of thumb, the further down a pecking order your immediate superior x the length of time he/she has held that position = the number of stair and trash enclosure details you will be saddled with before you get anywhere in the company. If your immediate superior will be a job captain's assistant's assistant and has been there 11 years, it might be prudent to brush up on the latest upgrade of their software, cuz you're going to need it more than that latest Phaidon picture book you just bought.
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Walt |
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mx2
millennium club
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1979
Location: Miami, Florida
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 8:21 am Post subject: |
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I had faced the same situation and after working 8 years at a small firm (4 to 8 people) where I had all the opportunities and responsibilities imaginable, I simply yearned for another experience. I went to work for a large firm (80 people) and had no idea what to expect, despite all the warnings of doom and gloom. So, from my experience I learned a few things:
Any and all (good and bad) experiences are always worth it.
It's better to have started in a large firm and move to small firm rather than vice versa.
Larger firms have greater opportunity to make more money.
Smaller firms have greater opportunity to learn the whole of the profession.
Everyone has their own opinions and conclusions.
...so ultimately, there is no parting of the sea that will show you the way; you have to make your own decision whether or not you want to try something new that you may or may not like. But it's like new foods, you'll never know if you like it unless you try. Will you be pidgeonholed? More so than if you were working in a small firm, but the work and breadth of your projects largely depends on two things in the large firms: how long you stay and how good you truly are (become). I have come to beelive that the two cultures (large vs small architectural firms) are practically two different professions. I say this only because the goals and manners of how you acheive them are different and the only way to know which one is right for you is to try them both.
But as Mongo recommended, absolutely make sure you interview them! It's a relationship that has to work for both parties otherwise you're guaranteed to NOT like it...but the very same thing goes for a small firm. Some questions to ask the large firm; what software do they use? How often do they do a performance review? What types of projects will they be needing your experience on? Will you be involved in pre-design, schematics, design development, CD's and/or construction administration? Any job site visits? Make sure you ask about holidays, vacations, overtime, dress, benefits and other policies before agreeing to job...some can be quite extreme and un-desirable because they do have greater overhead costs and typically seek to provide a culture of unanimity, meaning being of one mind. There little room for individualism basically because the logistics is far to difficult to manage.
For example, the firm I worked at did not provide any supplies other than a few pencils and pads, and only after a request form was filled out and submitted to the managing partner who ususally rejected everything you requested saying it's your tools...you buy them. It would be costly if everyone became flippant with requesting supplies that they would steal...basically take home for personal use. Makes sense but in the small firm, if I needed a scale, I ordered one myself...if I "stole" it, it's not comparable to 80 people "stealing" scales....and this type of structure exists in all realms of the large firms, including the work you will be performing. The large firms look at their overhead to determine fees and schedules...regardless of how long it would actually take you to complete the drawings...and you don't perform...well, it goes down in your file. But on the flipside, I met young architects who were "born" in the system and would probably be very frustrated with the small firm structure where they'd have to do everything themselves on much smaller projects and worry more about job security and salary increases.
I hope some of this helps. Good luck!
mx2
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*Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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jm22
Joined: 14 May 2006
Posts: 2
Location: BAY AREA CA
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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thanks for the advice, Well I just stayed with my current employer, (small firm). Reason I stayed was they are giving me a little bit of a promotion, and of course, a better compensation than what the large firm was offering. I still want to try to work in large firm someday....may be next year????  |
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