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This is really the first part of two posts that I will write on the subject – the second coming in a few weeks after things have settled down just a bit. Last week I had the unpleasant task of telling the two partners where I currently work that after 11 years employment I was resigning my position and taking a job with another firm. This was a difficult conversation to have, not because things went badly – just the opposite – because things have gone so well. I love my job and I really like the people I work with – they are all exceptional individuals and I have a great deal of respect for the skills they bring to the table. That’s part of what made this process of resigning so difficult.

Another reason leaving my current job was painful was because I have been with this firm for 11 years – and they have only existed for 15 years. I’ve been there for almost the entire growth and development of the firm. I’ve been there for some of our greatest successes, seen people come and go, been through some really good years and some not so great years. That’s the thing with small firms – the good ones are like your family – and quitting the firm is like quitting the family.

I am leaving my job because of an exceptional opportunity was presented to me to continue my growth and development as an architect. I didn’t go looking for it – it found me and it was a great fit. I thought a long time about how I would walk into the office and give my resignation, the people this act would impact, the clients I feel like I am abandoning, the projects I am leaving behind … incomplete. I lost a lot of sleep over it – if you’re in the creative services industry you probably know what I mean. Working on the projects I have been fortunate enough to spend time on, getting to know the people who will eventually call them “home” has been just another aspect of misery associated with leaving my job. I don’t think for one minute that anyone will begrudge me for leaving, in fact, I am quite sure that they will all be very happy for me – that’s just another part of what makes this hurt.

I thought about making this post about how to professionally go about quitting your job – but it’s too soon (but I’ll write about it eventually). I am excited for the change but saddened at the same time … it’s complicated.

But it’s still the good kind of complicated.

I decided to write today just to let everyone know that there will be some changes – the partners had last week to let anyone they wanted to personally tell know what was happening and now it’s my turn. My last day at my current job will be June 14th – that will give me 5 weeks to handle the transition of my projects to other capable people in the office. Things will continue on here at Life of an Architect – hopefully better than ever. In the meantime, wish me luck! Once I make the move, I’ll write part 2 of this post and let everyone know where I’m at and some of the details behind the move.

Cheers,

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