Despite Challenges, A/E Principals are Happy with Their Career Choices

Despite the many challenges of being a principal in the A/E industry, firm leaders and top managers report they're happy with their careers. According to ZweigWhite's 2007 Principals, Partners & Owners Survey of Architecture, Engineering, Planning & Environmental Consulting Firms, nearly half of the principals polled (48 percent) say they've exceeded their career goals, while another 38 percent have met their goals. And although principals spend a large portion of their time away from home, 44 percent report work has had a positive effect on their personal life (compared with 22 percent who report no effect, and 26 percent who report a negative effect). Survey participants reported their biggest challenges were in the areas of staff recruitment and retention, business development and marketing, and business or strategic planning. But even with these struggles, less than one-third have given serious consideration to leaving the A/E industry within the past year. Additional information can be found at www.zweigwhite.com.