Job Layoffs

[Eryn Yan-Hamby, LEED AP]

We have had a big wave of layoffs in the Memphis area. Is it the same in other areas of the country?
I know in the south along the coast, they are still building. Just seeing if it is the same everywhere else.

[Kenneth Aunchman]

I know in Norfolk, most companies are holding to the status quo. But Norfolk is one of the few places that is not loosing jobs right now, but I bet that is due to the military presence here.

[Taruno Vega]

Here in San Francisco Bay Area the panorama is dismal for residential architects. And it has been low the last 2 years, but now is sort of desertic!

[Nicholas Thomas]

I was laidoff from a firm based in memphis a few weeks ago. I worked at their branch firm in Jacksonville, FL. I hear florida is completely dead in terms of the job market. I plan on looking in New Orleans - they have a few public work projects that are coming up for bid.

[Graham Gilchrist]

What was the name of the firm in Jacksonville you were working for... LRK?

Thanks

Nicholas Thomas said:

I was laidoff from a firm based in memphis a few weeks ago. I worked at their branch firm in Jacksonville, FL. I hear florida is completely dead in terms of the job market. I plan on looking in New Orleans - they have a few public work projects that are coming up for bid.

[Nicholas Thomas]

Yes, that's correct.

[Eryn Yan-Hamby, LEED AP]

yeah. thats the word on the street. LRK , TRO and HBG have laid people off in Memphis. It looks bleak in Memphis right now.

[Meera G Tadimeti]

Yeah..Chicago had record layoffs. SOM laid off around 100 ppl, RTKL around 20, D+P around 30 and the list goes on. Hiring is non existent here..

[Sackthi]

It’s terrible everywhere. I am still trying to figure out where would these fellow mates find a new job? The Europe, Middle East and Asian market are further moving down. I don’t see the market getting better for the next six months.

[jasmack]

Firms in the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX area are laying off and many others have everything on hold. Hospitality is dead and things, in general, are dismal. I understand healthcare is pretty strong but there are a lot of experienced people waiting to fill those positions - probably more people than positions, actually.

[Bobby C. Kline]

Hello to all,
Thanks for posting this topic Eryn!
I am in Las Vegas, Nevada, and probably as you all know Las Vegas has been hit hard. I am primarily Civil Eng. with an undergraduate Architecture degree. The Civil Eng. Market in Las Vegas has collapsed with massive lay offs, companies closing and bleak future outlook. I am not sure about the Architectural market, but I would assume that it is in the same predicament as trained proffessionals laid off attempt to find other markets for their skills and as it was the residential market collapse that helped to cause the problems in Las Vegas.

[Mark Scheerhoorn]

Nothing good for architects in Chicago. Firms are mainly laying off or in a holding pattern right now to try to stay afloat. A lot of architects here are using the time for marketing. Seems like the work in Chicago is based on projects that had already had funding in place or is over-seas. Even the big name firms are waiting to see how the stimulus package will work out.

[LaDonna Justice]

There have been quite a few lay-offs in the Indiana-Ohio area as well. I have a friend that has been trying to find a firm that is hiring for almost a year now. One thing I would like to suggest to folks, especially those of you that are entry-level, look at alternative positions. Look at working for an Engineer, a Design-Build company, a Consultant (for example Foodservice Consultants design the foodservice portion of larger projects such as schools and hospitals), etc.

Many of these positions will allow you to earn some IDP units, keep you in a related field and quite a few of these types of positions are more stable in the current market.

No matter what, look into the areas of Multi-family Residential, Education and Health-Care.

Just wanted to pass along what I've found to be true, hope the information helps someone.