Pros
Working at //3877 provides an opportunity to gain significant experience, especially early in your career. You’ll be exposed to a variety of projects and responsibilities that can help build a strong foundation in the field of architecture. Hands-On Learning: The fast-paced environment means you get to take on challenging tasks, learn on the job, and gain a breadth of practical experience that can be beneficial in the long run. Creative Opportunities: If you’re lucky enough to be in the right team or project, there are opportunities to push boundaries and work on interesting, creative projects.
Cons
Toxic Work Environment: Despite the initial promises of a collaborative, open-minded atmosphere, the company’s culture became increasingly toxic over time. I often felt unsupported, isolated, and mentally drained, which was exacerbated by an overwhelming work culture that prioritized deadlines over employee well-being. Stress and Burnout: The constant pressure to meet unrealistic deadlines took a significant toll, not just on me, but on my colleagues as well. Many appeared visibly stressed, and it became clear that the work environment wasn’t sustainable for long-term success or health. High Turnover Rate: In a team of fewer than 40 architects and designers, four people left shortly after I did. This high turnover rate is a clear indicator of the dissatisfaction among employees and the difficulty the company faces in retaining talent. It highlights the negative impact the work culture has on employee satisfaction and overall well-being. Promotion Challenges: Advancement is incredibly difficult unless you're part of a specific clique or one of the many married couples working there. Effort and talent seemed secondary to who you knew or what group you were aligned with, making it hard for most employees to move up, despite their dedication and hard work. Lack of Leadership Support: Efforts to address the challenges with management were met with indifference. The leadership's inability to support employees, or even acknowledge issues, left many of us feeling undervalued and dismissed. Immature and Exclusive Leadership: Many of my colleagues referred to the leadership as the "boy's club," which was an obvious reflection of how the leadership dynamics played out. If you weren't a white male who enjoyed riding a bike, it often felt like you just wouldn't fit in or be given a chance to succeed. This exclusivity further contributed to the toxic environment and reinforced the feeling that certain people were favored based on personal interests and identity, rather than merit or professional capability.