residential/ interior work or not? for young architects

[useasbackup]

hello, I've 2 yrs experience only and currently working in a big archi firm and don't think I can learn as fast as I should. so I'm thinking changing job to a smaller firm in NY city. but seems most small firm in NY do only residential and interior work.

some people say that if you only do residential/ interior work after a few yrs, you'll find it hard to detailing larger public bldgs. is that true? do you recommend young architects to work in small firms but only work on residential and interior work? good for his career development?

thanks very much for any input.

[Madimel]

Why do you feel you're not learning quickly enough? In a large company working on commercial projects, you can learn so much from just about everyone in the firm. Are you implying that the work that you're doing is too difficult to comprehend for you? Or are you implying that no one has taken you "under their wing" and mentored you in the office? From my experience, I noticed that candidates brought up in residential firms have great difficulty with the ARE. It's a tough question to answer since everyone is different and could prosper in different environments. I think you should figure out why you're having issues at your current firm.

[innova+e]

Having worked in varying scales of firms in the US before starting my own here, I have to point out that my (by "my" I mean "your") rate of learning didnt accelerate or falter due to the size of the firm or the scale of projects. I enjoyed things about both experiences and learned much about what not to do from both sides of the spectrum. What affects your learning will most undoubtedly be the approach each firm takes to the work, and your subsequent role in the process. Actually, and quite to the contrary of what you are thinking, I found that in smaller firms the work load increased at a greater rate, as I was in charge of more aspects of the projects, whereas conversely in the larger firms, I was but a cog in a bigger machine. In short, I had to pick up the pace in the smaller firms in order to gain more responsibility. Anyway, that's my 2cents.
good luck. ac

[useasbackup]

thanks you both for the great advices!

the reason I don't think I'm learning fast enough in my company is
1. if you're good at one thing, they'll let you do it again and again. so I'm devoting a lot of my time into presentations and rendering, which doesn't help for my learning at all.
2. there're certain dwgs I'm sure I can do it now,but in my company, I've to wait another two years at least untill they'll think I'm qualified to do it.

god. I hope I can find small companies (<10) that do all scope of work. thanks.

[mx2]

I've worked in bid, small, and medium firms...12 years and going. Ultimately, my experience has lead me to firmly believe that size does not matter....

Sorry...um, what I mean is what I observed, more so in my peers (which is easier to remain subjective), is that people tend to have the same problems and successes in either case. I have come to differentiate the young ones into two groups: professional draftsmen (or women) and architects in training. The former tends to sit, wait for instruction and do enough to get paid for a job...this person does not like to think, take intiative or push themselves. The architect in training is in it for him/herself and doesn't wait for instruction/criticism, is always eager to work and ask way too many questions (called learning), push themselves to do more, better, is more careful, studious, inquisitive and in essence, is really in this for themselves.

But, in general, the larger firms do tend to pidgeonhole you on one task, but there is plenty of opportunity to do more and gain more. The smaller firms do allow you more access to greater experience of the profession but your gains will be limited and your job security is always in question.

My advice, put 5 years into both, and after 10 years, you'll have your own answer...you'll know exactly what you want to do. Good luck young grasshopper.

mx2.5

[useasbackup]

thanks everyone.
I guess size matters but firm culture matters more.

I've interned at small firms where there's no overtime, work load and job security is good, experience and responsibilities are gained;

and I'm working at a large firm where you finish your job quick and well, but decisions in the office are made due to personal preference...

guess you can't really tell the firm culture until you've worked there for a while...