Awesome Experience - Summer Intern KPA Group Employee Review

I am a relatively new employee and have been working at the KPA Group for 3 months. I have been very pleased with my transition at this energetic firm. It has recently taken new leadership and ownership which has created an atmosphere of positive team work, encouragement of growth for all staff and a genuine sense of joy to get to show up at the office each day. I have worked in different offices over the years and have enjoyed them all for the most part. However, I must say the KPA office environment is definitely one of my better experiences because of the integrity, expertise and enthusiasm of the Principal and new Owner of the firm.

The view of Lake Merritt from my office window is so beautiful it can sometimes be distracting but in a good way. In a way it is always a challenge when a firm changes ownership and direction. It gets to redefine itself with guidance of the Leader and the input of the team.

Good for new grad to expose themselves to bolts and nuts in design projects. Overall the company has been declining in the past 3 years.

Extreme micromanagement by senior staff. Terrible layperson as project manager and coordinator. CEO is not responsible for the company's daily business but his own retirement house. No team collaboration but bad-mouthing behind each other and suckup to boss. Salary structure is purely built based on AGE, not merit. It results in that the entire team has no well-educated or professionally trained talents at all from age 20-40. No career development here because no one on the team cares! If you are young, smart, hardworking and ambitious high-achievers in architecture and planning fields, this company won't treat you what you deserve. You can always easily find another better team with much higher salary and promising career development! Or as a new grad, use it as a temp transition choice and run asap after your 1st year.