Recently laid off? How did life go on?

[ihabkal]

Hi Friends,

I keep hearing sad news of people I knew getting laid off due to the economy.

Do you have any happy stories of getting laid of, starting on your own, and making it big in Hollywood? making more money? seeing more of your family? Any happy news to lighten the mood.

[Tommy L]

Well I started a new business just as the economy here in the States headed south. The business failed. It was started with money from an extremely kind investor. It was a very stressful time, but I got a lot out of it, I learned loads. When the business dissolved I bought the equipment and licenses and struck out as a freelancer. Only then did the business start to come in. In freelance I found clients who saw that as a cheap option, which is good in a down economy. I charge just the same. But its still viewed as a preferable option at the moment.

Ive also branched off into other marketing graphics. Ive only had time to build a portfolio to chase this kind of work because Im not full time employed at a company. And thanks to the support of my wife.

So in other words, if the economy had not faltered, I would be in a very different position than Im in now, but I dont think it would be any better or worse. If life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

[Inxa]

I agree with Tommy.

 

Things happen. You must hold on. Somehow. Support of your family holds a very important place in such times. Think before leaving your job and starting freelancing / studio. Think about the future and how is it going to work out for you.

 

Plan a little and then move on. Like said above try to learn more things and give options to your clients rather than only viz or animation or graphics. Branch out a little. It helps.

 

I know it's easier said than done, and tougher when you are on the receiving end.

 

My two cents.

Edited April 18, 2010 by Inxa

[Joseph Petrino]

Happy stories? None.

 

But I'm still alive and I think I hear a heartbeat in the economy.

[akinlolugboji]

In fact, Mr. Morefield, 29, is no politician, but an architectural designer looking for work. He was seated at a homemade wooden stand under a sign reading “Architecture 5¢,” with a tin can nearby awaiting spare change. For a nickel, he would answer any architectural question.

 

Unable to find design work, Richard Chuk of Illinois, above, began truck-driving school this month.

 

Natasha Case and Freya Estreller have an ice cream truck in Los Angeles.

[nick2730]

try being a recent grad, almost impossible to find work

[ihabkal]

try being a recent grad, almost impossible to find work

 

you think with al lthe crazy ads like the one below on OAA Ontario's association of architects website, that young newly grads have the advantage since they accept a low salary and are eager to work, but if you read carefully what is below, you will find it doesn't make sense. A lot of things don't make sense to me today. I omitted the names but you can find them easily on the OAA website. all posted yesterday.

 

 

 

From, this below, I can understand the intern had experience, but seems the grad here will do everything in the firm. EVERYTHING. It is like working for Hitler imo.

Intern or Architecture Graduate

Bachelor Degree in Architecture

Registration with the OAA as an Intern Architect is an asset but not a requirement

3 to 5 years of custom residential experience working under Part 9, O.B.C.

Experience with small commercial projects is an asset

Capable of assisting the principal architect in schematic design and presentation through free hand sketching and rendering

Experience and proficiency in preparing working drawings and 3D modelling using VectorWorks 12.5 and/or ArchiCAD 13, preferably on the MAC platform

Experience managing residential projects from pre-design through construction

Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel and Filemaker Pro preferably on the MAC platform

Must have excellent written and oral communication skills in English, must be detail oriented, have strong interpersonal skills, must be disciplined and presentable.

 

 

 

 

Now the below, how is a 2010 marketing graduate, experience din architecture??? he probalbly dreamt the job experience.

In addition, we require a recent graduate (2010) in marketing and/or graphic design to prepare submissions for an architectural firm. Presentation skills are essential as well as an excellent command of the English language. Knowledge of design and architecture would be beneficial.

 

 

 

Recent grad with 3 years of experience???

Architecture Graduate

The firm is seeking to employ a recent architectural graduate to add to our team of 20. The candidate should have at least 3 years of post graduation experience and should be proficient in Auto Cad and Revit as a minimum. This is a full time position that offers opportunities in the growth and management of the firm.

[nick2730]

that 3 years is almost everywhere, not just architecture but also in the gaming field. Its as if no one wants new grads, and it sucks its been almost a year and i think 2 people out of my class have found real actual full time jobs.

 

It gets depressing, but i just keep going day to day hoping and working on new stuff.

 

I dont even know where to look anymore

[STRAT]

picked up my cards about 2-3 month back due to economic reasons.

 

spent 2 weeks unemployed, then got a new full time job straight after. and still freelancing too.

 

not hollywood though.

[Tommy L]

Woah, unlucky Strat. You are very good at what you do, your company must have really hit hard times to let you go. Why not go full time on your own? I really like your work, Im sure you could make it.

[STRAT]

thanks Tom. appreciated.

 

at the moment initially, going full time on my own would mean an expense of atleast 5-10K, which of course i dont have. this would be an essential as i only have a single processing 7 year old pc at home and no software. And bank managers where i live aren't yet in the money lending mood. (and i'm not really in the money borrowing mood either)

 

Also, i dont want to start up alone right now. the market is still awefully hard and it would be a major struggle to stay afloat. maybe in a year or so.

 

saying that, i now have another job where i work from home (head office provided kit and software) and i still pick up the odd small going concern when i can

[CJI]

Hey Strat, that sounds like a good gig right there getting to work from home with kit provided. I had similar figures put together for going it solo so it's good to see i wasn't far off the mark considering the experience you have over me haha.

 

Nick - Im a recent Grad and im lucky enough to have landed a job within a week of finishing, Its not permanent as they cannot offer me that as of yet because of the state of the market, but a job is a job right. A lot of it is down to luck and being in the right place at the right time. It's a horrible situation to be in, most people i know are struggling for employment which is hard when they have worked so hard for so long to become highly quallified only to find they are no more likely to be get employment than before they started. Keep looking though and hopefully something will come along.

 

I just hope they keep rolling my contract until things pick up! Companies are still ditching staff left, right, and centre.

[leoA4D]

Strat, your number one priority should be to actively plan, plot and scheme, in every spare moment, to throw in with 2 or 3 other people to open a studio in couple of years when the economy is on the way up. That gives you a much larger net to cast and a way to spread expenses and risks. And, if they have half the talent, skills and experience you have, that would make an incredible studio.

 

Pic #1 in your gallery is one of my all time favorites!

[STRAT]

thanks fellers.

 

Leo - i was in a studio of 3, in much of a similar situation as you mention, but right here right now in the UK it's thats difficult to maintain the wages. it really is. it's probably good enough to support 1 in his home office, but supporting 3 on a proper wage is too hard right now. it's that bad. and you get 2 or 3 good months, then maybe 6 bad. not good.

 

but things are definately looking on the up as time goes by though. the economy does seem to be slowly shifting upwards, thats one encouraging factor.