Hi ArchiHacks fam, let us ask you a question. Have you ever been in a role that felt like a sinking ship? It’s safe to say that, at one point or another, we’ve all been there. For emerging professionals, typically, their first architecture firm will set the precedent of their feelings towards the industry. Unfortunately, not every firm will be a great experience, and we wanted to talk about the top four red flags at an architecture practice. If you see or experience any of these, it’s a clear sign that you should be cautious, but it may not always be in your best interest to leave right away. Let’s get into it!
High Turn-Over Rate
Any business having difficulty retaining talent is a big red flag! The word “turnover rate” refers to the percentage of employees leaving a company within a certain period. When researching a firm, it’s essential to reach out to old associates to discuss if the firm had a high turnover rate during their time. This information is not usually public knowledge and is best acquired through word of mouth and networking.
It’s important to have stability, consistency, and dependability in a business. If employees and management are constantly changing, it not only poorly reflects the company but potentially leaves you at risk with a slew of responsibilities or last-minute deliverables. It may be best to ask those you feel comfortable with and see what may cause the high turnover. Are you at-risk or being mismanaged? If so, we highly recommend reflecting on your position and determining if it’s viable to stay.
Promoting an Underpaid/Overworked Culture
This topic is primarily discussed amongst the online design community. A growing wave of individuals and firms are fighting against this culture, but exploitation is still prevalent in the profession.
Whether you’re currently working with a firm or applying, it’s best to have a frank conversation about the work culture and expectations. Does management expect you to work overtime? Will you be compensated for your time in cash or banked hours? How are project teams and timelines structured so that everyone can manage the project and meet deadlines without exerting themselves? Some firms may be hesitant to answer or give unsatisfyingly vague responses – this is another topic that you should approach former and current employees about if you can.
Check websites like Glassdoor to determine the average fair salary for your position in your region. These numbers can help you choose and negotiate a fair wage!
Poor Work Culture
Poor work culture can be manifested in many ways, and this may be more subjective to what each person considers is poor office culture. For us, we find cut-throat environments concerning. There is such thing as a healthy level of competition, but firms who pit their employees against each other and do not promote a collaborative environment are doing themselves, their employees, and their clients a disservice. Employees look to their managers and other leading figures in the firm to maintain company morale. Though it seems trivial, the occasional social event can do a lot to promote camaraderie and build trust amongst coworkers. Employees should not work in fear of their managers, and coworkers should not feel animosity towards each other!
Lack of Mentorship + Advancement
The last flag of any business (an architecture firm or not) is a lack of mentorship and space to grow. A noticeable sign of lacking space to develop is having a firm “pigeon-hole” you into one task that you excel in, such as only doing arch visualization, construction documents, or strictly 3D modeling. If you find yourself in this position and are not enjoying it, don’t be afraid to speak to a manager about opportunities to expand your skillsets; this will help steer your career in the direction you want and show your firm that you are adaptable and a self-starter. If they aren’t willing to have that conversation or don’t follow up on the discussion with action, it may be time to reconsider your position.
Career advancement is significant within a firm and for future opportunities too! Although advancement can be a category of its own, we felt it was closely connected with a lack of growth and mentorship. It’s essential to be recognized and paid fairly for your hard work and expertise, so it’s challenging to find motivation when there’s no avenue to increase responsibilities, salary, or title. Ultimately, staying in a firm with a lack of guidance and advancement will stunt your career.
We want to note that having a firm filled with red flags can be an awful experience for professionals at any experience level, and it’s not a great reflection of architecture as an industry. These experiences can result in people leaving the profession entirely. However, it’s worth taking a step back and considering what exactly is making your life difficult. Is it just the work environment? Is it the nature of your day-to-day tasks? Have you tried out multiple firms and still can’t shake the feeling? Is there a closely-related profession whose work interests you more? Consider all the angles and causes for how you may be feeling and what you may be experiencing. It can be helpful to talk to family, friends, or even a career counselor to gain perspective! If you are experiencing these situations, know that you are not alone.
Well, that’s all we have for you today, and if you’ve made it this far, you deserve a cookie. I hope you found this article interesting and took something from it! Sharing is caring! We hope to provide you with valuable insights and share them with someone who might find this helpful. Make sure to follow our Youtube and Instagram for more content!