employer cover photo
employer logo
employer logo

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Engaged Employer

Great for a year or two - Architect Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Employee Review

3.0
May 10, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You have the chance to work on high profile projects for well known clients in great locations. From a technical design perspective, there are some of the world's best experts working in the planning and facade departments. Seek these people out and learn as much from them as you can; they are truly amazing.

Cons

During COVID, SOM will announce a policy of no raises and promotions for labourers and below. They will lay off 15% of the staff and increase the workload for labourers. However, management will continue to receive promotions, raises, and bonuses. Profits will still be drawn for the partners. In the next breath, leadership will state the importance of "equity" in workplace culture. When you get hired, you will be told there is no distinction between "design" and "technical" departments. However, there are design teams led by design managers and technical teams led by technical managers. Designers will never do construction administration and technical people will typically never do anything before DD. Designers will use Rhino/Photoshop/Illustrator and technical people will only use Revit and bluebeam. It is extremely difficult if not impossible to transition between these roles. If you ever ask a manager about these differences, they will say there is no difference between technical and design departments.

Explore other reviews about Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

5.0
Jul 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great projects to work on

Cons

Low pay for the amount of work

1.0
Jul 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

If you like architecture it can be an exciting place to work

Cons

Many of the firm’s architects are not good communicators and expect you to read their minds

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All