Gensler reviews

Gensler NY literally has a spread sheet of "rising stars" or people they are tracking and grooming for leadership. These people, not necessarily based for talent or work ethic, are given opportunities and experiences that others are not. Many of the design staff will play the game, make friends with those who are favored, and back stab those at similar levels of experience to get a foot forward. It truly is a rat race. After averaging 60+ hour weeks for 2.5 years, I was let go during the pandemic (its estimated they cut about 40-50% firm wide, but for a firm that touts transparency, these lay offs happened essentially in secret), but honestly thankful I was. Having time off on unemployment really put things in perspective for me.

Unless you are very lucky, very loud, or VERY motivated, Gensler does not do a great job at recognizing, rewarding, or developing talent, even though they make all the right noises. Unless you are one of the chosen favorites in a studio, you won't have the opportunities to work on the great projects or in the areas you want to work in. I watched many, many people get passed over for promotions to some young gun who hosted an office movie night or something, even if their credentials - seniority, licensure, client recommendations, etc. - were much higher. This is a firm that comforts you into thinking they're different, but acts like every other corporation. It's a good place to work if you go in with your eyes open.