My interview was conducted by Theresa Genovese and Paul-Arthur Heller, with whom I later had the opportunity to collaborate at the firm. CetraRuddy is the largest firm I have worked at and undoubtedly a place for growth. The entire staff is eager to hear your ideas, teach you, and learn from you at the same time. The office has a relaxed and flexible atmosphere, where colleagues genuinely enjoy working on their projects while being deeply committed to them. The firm has the privilege of being a mid-sized firm by U.S. standards, which has given me the opportunity to take on various roles in the projects I’ve worked on in a flexible manner—much like in a small studio—while benefiting from the guidance and expertise of a diverse and experienced staff typical of a larger firm.
Contrary to my expectations, the hierarchy at CetraRuddy is not rigid—junior architects collaborate closely with senior architects, principals, and even the founders. The office follows a BIM methodology, with initial sketches being transferred to Revit from the design phase to accurately control areas and other parameters while anticipating future construction phases. In-house rendering is also an integral part of the workflow, using Enscape to showcase design progress to clients. The overall work environment is relaxed and highly flexible, with a team primarily composed of intermediate and senior architects. Despite the age gap between junior architects and more experienced colleagues, the latter are always approachable, supportive, and willing to share their knowledge. There is always someone ready to help with technical
questions.
Personally, I am especially grateful to have found colleagues with whom I share a comfortable, enjoyable, and efficient workflow, making my experience at CetraRuddy all the more rewarding. Besides, the HR department at CetraRuddy organizes a fantastic Buddy Program, which helped me integrate smoothly into the firm’s workflow from day one—something I truly appreciated.
After a few months, I had the chance to become a buddy myself for a newly hired colleague, and I would love to continue passing on the same welcoming experience I received! Additionally, monthly birthday celebrations and lively happy hours are a great way to bond with coworkers. Taking the time to connect with colleagues regularly has helped me integrate into the office and build meaningful relationships with inspiring people. Living in New York has been a one-of-a kind experience. It’s such a diverse city where I’ve had the chance to meet people from all over the world with different backgrounds. However, finding housing here is not an easy process—the demand is extremely high, and listings in Manhattan can be taken within days or even hours, depending on the season. I was lucky to secure my accommodation through personal connections before arriving, which allowed me to settle in Midtown East. It’s a neighborhood where I feel safe and well-connected to different areas of the city, where I’ve discovered new interests—taking dance classes in Chelsea and exploring coffee spots in West Village.
My commute to work is also very convenient, with just one subway line, taking around 40 minutes. I also have easy access to Astoria, a culturally rich neighborhood with a variety of Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Asian restaurants that I never get tired of trying. I am truly enjoying my time in New York, and the transition has felt smooth and manageable. I’m deeply grateful not only for the support of my employer and Architect-US but also for finding a great place to live and for the many new experiences I’m discovering. If I had to point out the most challenging aspect, it would be being far from my family. The time difference makes it difficult to find overlapping hours for calls, which can be tough at times.
Despite this, I see CetraRuddy and the U.S. as a place where I could easily establish my career and where I am learning at an incredible pace. This experience has given me my first real exposure to large-scale architectural projects, their processes, and how a structured firm like CetraRuddy operates. I highly recommend it to my friends every time I get the chance. The best part of this journey has been being in such a dynamic city like New York and working in a diverse environment where everyone is constantly striving towards their personal and professional goals—it’s truly inspiring. Another key factor in my positive experience has been the firm itself, as CetraRuddy is filled with supportive, flexible, and inspiring mentors. I’d also say that living in the heart of Manhattan has played a big role in how much I’ve enjoyed the city. If I would have to point out the toughest part it would be the initial adjustment period. Although it didn’t take too long, arriving in a city where so much is happening all at once was overwhelming at first. And, of course, something that continues to weigh on me is being far from my family and friends back home.
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