What A Designer At Cushing Terrell Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Design Industry
Blake wishes someone had told about lower salary expectations and that promotions happen roughly every "five years or so," requiring commitment to a firm to climb to the top, and also highlighting that to "make a ton of money" you must either open up one's own practice or stick it out and become a principal within the firm. Finding the right firm is also critical because project types are dictated by the firm's specialization, influencing one's career path.
Salary Expectations, Career Advancement, Firm Specialization, Industry Longevity, Entrepreneurship
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Blake Cronin
Business Development | Design Professional
Cushing Terrell
Univeristy of San Diego
Architecture, Interior Design
Architecture, Construction & Design, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Creative
Video Highlights
1. Salary expectations are initially lower and promotions are less frequent (every 5 years or so), requiring a long-term commitment to climb the ladder.
2. Diversifying project experience may require moving between firms, as each firm typically specializes in specific project types (e.g., commercial retail vs. single-family housing).
3. To significantly increase earning potential, consider either opening your own practice or pursuing a path to become a principal/owner within a firm.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
The salary expectations will probably be a little lower than you anticipate, and it takes a while to climb the ladder. You won't get promoted every year, but rather every five years or so.
If you want to reach the top, you've really got to stick around. There are advantages and disadvantages to moving from firm to firm.
Bouncing between firms can help you diversify the project types you work on. For example, my firm is heavily focused on commercial retail, but if you wanted to do single-family housing, it's not always under the same umbrella.
It's important to find the right firm that fits your interests, because you'll generally work on the types of projects that firm specializes in. You won't just get to do whatever you want.
Those are probably the biggest two things to consider. Just know that you're in it for the long haul with this industry. If you really want to make a lot of money, you have to open your own practice or stick it out and become a principal, getting ownership in the company.