RSO Architecture

Pros: The team here is truly collaborative and supportive. As an Architectural Designer, I've had fantastic opportunities to learn from experienced senior architects and contribute to diverse projects within the architecture industry. The company culture really values innovative design and continuous improvement. It's a great environment for professional development and building practical skills. I appreciate the emphasis on mentorship and the friendly atmosphere among colleagues.
Cons: While generally positive, there can be busy periods, especially around project deadlines, which can occasionally impact work-life balance for an Architectural Designer. Sometimes, the approval processes can feel a bit slow, which might hinder project momentum. Better communication around workload distribution could help.
Advice to Management: Continue fostering the strong team culture and perhaps look into streamlining some of the internal approval workflows to maintain project velocity.

Pros: Working here as an Architectural Designer has been a great experience. The team is very supportive, which really helps with learning and development in the architecture field. I've been exposed to diverse projects, allowing me to build solid skills. It's a generally stable environment.
Cons: The pace can get pretty intense during crunch times, which is typical for our industry but still challenging. Also, internal communication between different project teams could be a bit smoother to help streamline workflows.
Advice to Management: Consider regular check-ins or improved digital tools to enhance inter-team communication and workflow efficiency.

Pros: They're pretty decent about vacation time, which is a plus for work-life balance. If you're a Senior Architect, you might get more leeway. The hybrid work model is nice when it actually happens, helping with the commute to the Chicago office.
Cons: The promised hybrid work isn't always consistent for entry-level architectural roles. You really need to be in the office most days, which isn't ideal for a firm of this size. It's tough to adjust your schedule for personal appointments, so flexibility isn't their strong suit.
Advice to Management: Try to make the hybrid work policy more consistent for everyone, not just senior staff. Clearer guidelines on remote work for Architectural Designers would help a lot.

Pros: The team in the Chicago office is really collaborative. I've learned a ton about drafting and design principles from senior architects. It's a great place for new Architectural Designers to get experience in a busy architecture firm.
Cons: Work-life balance is a struggle here. We often work long hours, especially when project deadlines hit. Management can seem pretty detached from the day-to-day grind that the design teams face.
Advice to Management: Try to better manage project loads to prevent burnout. More recognition for the design teams would help too.