Pros
Gensler is a firm full of smart, fun people. Even with 40+ locations internationally, I feel connected to other offices and can easily reach out for help, resources, or ideas. The firm invests a lot in office culture and participation is high. From a marketing perspective, the company is a well-oiled machine. I have all the tools to do my job well – from branded templates to an awesome knowledge management system. (It's a life saver!) Calls are regularly held across sectors and practice areas for thought leadership, best practices, and lessons learned at a regional and Firmwide level. Expectations are high from a design and strategy perspective. My fellow employees are brilliantly smart, creative people and we are really challenged to push the envelope in hopes of winning new client work.
Cons
Compensation is by far the most common complaint. Bonuses are twice a year and Gensler does offer a chunk of your salary in an ESOP, which you can receive after five years with the firm. I understand why so many can't stick it out that long though. For marketing, growth potential is also a concern. Even our most senior staff are doing the same work seven years later, so people tend to burn out. There are always talks to create more strategic positions within the department, but we've been losing people to compensation before we can get there. The occasional long night or weekend work is typical among design firms, but work/life balance is also a challenge. I especially felt bad for my co-workers with kids who were trying to juggle.
