There is an empty shell of a value system at Gensler, despite the incessant talk and emphasis on the importance of "people". Gensler enforces all-staff meetings once a month in order to blatantly trumpet and proclaim their profits and how steadfastly strong the company is. They are the kings and queens of patting themselves on their own backs without being grateful towards anyone who helped bring them there - the actual workforce who are ultimately young in their careers, underpaid and overworked. Gensler studios constantly demand their employees to commit to working overtime without pay, and they hang the carrot of their constructed value system of promotions to labels such as "Associate" to motivate. Unfortunately, many young architects stay with the belief (as they are so specifically told) year after year that they will be promoted, but each year they are met with disappointment and the exact same excuses. The leadership at Gensler recognize their own inabilities to design or manage, so when they do ever recognize talent, they do everything to diminish it, as it threatens their own positions. Those who are promoted are simply good at "the game," ie. you attend the office happy hours and parties with rambunctious positivity and a can-do attitude. You cheer and clap at every all-staff announcement. You rub shoulders with Rob Jernigan and happily spread their exaggerations of truth all around town. There are many who do this, and unsurprisingly, these are the ones who move up fast.
If you are able to shelf your own values, or have none to begin with, then highly recommend working here. It's also a great place for failed academics who are looking to make a good consistent buck for zero work! Gensler is always looking to promote their image as being more closely tied to academia, so there are some fantastic opportunities there.
