Hi ArchiHacks fam, today’s article is at a special request of our audience! We’d like to disclaim that this is strictly advice and opinions from our personal experience, as well as greater insight from a handful of our professional contacts. This is a complicated step in any professional’s journey, but how do you know when to leave your current role?
Before we get to that question, we must ask ourselves why we want to leave first. This is a critical step to determine whether there is a possibility that the company or yourself can improve the overall working conditions. For instance, what if you did enjoy your firm, and there were just a few things you wish could be better? Do you leave, or should you consider helping the firm improve? All valuable options to consider, but if you are unsure about quitting, here are some key things that would provide some clarity on your decision!
Practical Barriers
Salary
One of the most important motivations for working any job or company is the salary, so find out if you’re being compensated fairly. It’s essential to check online data to find the salary ranges for your position. The rise of transparency in companies and employees has made it much easier to discuss adequate pay for the experience and responsibilities of others in similar roles. Do the research to prepare to have that conversation with management or let it determine your continued employment at your firm. It’s essential to make sure your salary keeps up with inflation, so you aren’t making less than what you did before.
Switching jobs can be the fastest way to increase your compensation too! I reached out to Jake Rudin, the co-founder of Out of Architecture, and he shared that a sign that you should leave your firm is “if you get a better offer (you don’t owe your firm your loyalty).” Although the loyalty sentiment is shared chiefly with millennials or older generations, it’s not the same now. Companies are seeking profits and talent, and you should be seeking fair compensation for the work you are putting in. Loyalty is great, but we have to be realistic when it comes to financial health and the future.
Growth
Behind salary, growth is another critical element in deciding your professional journey! Have you ever heard of the word “pigeon-holed?” Well, it’s easy to get comfortable doing similar tasks, working on similar projects, and your firm to become reliant on you strictly for that task; this can de-motivate you from exploring and expanding your skillset. If you find yourself in this position, it would be worth bringing this up to management to see if there are opportunities to shuffle around at work. In most cases, if your firm has various project types, you will need to voice that you want to work on other projects, whereas this will be more challenging in niche firms.
In your early career, we encourage you to experience a variety of work and responsibilities in a project’s conception so you can gain crucial experience that any emerging professional will need in architecture. Ultimately, you might find yourself in a position to “jump ship” entirely to learn different types of projects.
Besides that, it’s necessary to know that there are opportunities for professional growth through promotions or new responsibilities. If a firm doesn’t provide a clear path of development or management is not willing to have that conversation with you, it’s indicative of your future. At this point, I’d highly encourage you to reconsider your current placement.
Lack of Work-Life Balance
It’s no surprise that designers can have an atrocious work-life balance in school, and this easily bleeds into the workforce too. Mike Kulikowski, a senior designer at Marvel, shares that “when you’re consistently working long hours without being given comp time or overtime” is a tell-tale sign leaving the firm might be an option for you. We have stressed the notion that designers should be living life and experiencing architecture to be happier. Still, this time away from work also reduces feeling burned out and makes you more productive and fulfilled.
Commute/Office Location
With remote work possible, this is lower on the totem pole of practical barriers, but it’s still important to consider the commute to the office. Are you living in an expensive area, or is the commute time just unsustainable for your financial, physical, or emotional health? These are physical barriers that management can overlook and expect you to accept. However, we know that sometimes it’s necessary to gain particular experience. Make sure to put this into consideration when signing up for a role, especially since this can be a significant liability when you plan to be at a firm for a decent amount of time!
Management
Management is essential when deciding to stay or leave because it sets the tone for navigating the company. Michael Spory, a designer at VMDO, shares that “often, a bad experience with a manager or coworker mans the environment can become toxic.” It’s important to note that “toxic” can mean multiple ways you feel uncomfortable in your current work environment. It could either be feeling tension with different coworkers or not feeling you can speak up during meetings to voice opinions. The list can go on of various ways that management does not encourage a safe and productive environment for you.
What are some ways that you think create a toxic work environment in studios? Let us know in the comments below!
Mission Values
It’s safe to say that the majority would like to work for a firm with similar values as ourselves, but sometimes it could be challenging to know the difference right away. After working with a firm for a while, you might realize that you care about different things than management or leadership, which could signify that the road will split in the future. Is this something that you can live with for the time being, or is this a priority for you? The sentiment can be different for people, so this can be a good time for a self-reflection between yourself and the firm.
Mentorship + Advocacy
Another component that could clarify your decision to leave is the lack of mentorship in the firm. We want to note that an individual can be both a mentor or advocate, as well as just one of those. A mentor provides knowledge and guidance for you, so it’s essential to have someone to ask specific questions. Mentorships can span any age, so don’t let someone young or old deter you from learning!
On the other hand, advocacy is crucial for any position and with an architectural career. Half of the battle of career growth is about who you know, and some of the biggest firms in the world hire directly from referrals! Whether you create that mentor-mentee relationship or establish an advocate in a previous firm, you never know what their connection can lead you to. So see if your current organization provides or has a good culture of mentorship if you haven’t already!
Recognition
Jake Rudin indicated that another vital sign that it’s time to leave your firm is if you realize that you are working in hopes that you’ll be valued by your leaders someday. How come? As an employee, it feels good to be recognized for your time and effort, but likewise, management needs to put effort into identifying all of its hardworking members. It can be draining working day-in and day-out trying to get recognition and lower your morale. This reduced motivation could affect your personal and work life, so be observant of the possible signs you are in that position. If you run into situations where your coworkers or your supervisors frequently take credit for your work, that’s a clear red flag as well.
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, took something from it, and helped you navigate between opportunities! 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!