Finding the Right Studio Fit: One Intern Architect's Career Story

A case study on what it looks like when a recruiter takes the time to understand design culture on top of the technical skills.

When Charlotte started thinking about her next move, she had quietly indicated she was "open to work" on LinkedIn and waited to see who would reach out. A few specialized agencies approached her, including Axis. “Ultimately, I chose to partner with them because their approach felt distinct from the start, and the entire experience exceeded my expectations.”

Here's how it happened.

How It Started

Charlotte wasn't in a rush, and she wasn't desperate. She knew exactly what she was looking for: a medium-sized architecture firm with a strong design culture, the kind of practice that does meaningful work but doesn't always show up in the obvious places.

That's a specific ask. Medium-sized firms are often the sweet spot in architecture, big enough to take on substantial projects, small enough to maintain a strong studio culture, but they're notoriously hard to find from the outside. They rarely post vacancies publicly. They hire through networks. If you don't know someone, you don't know they're hiring.

A lot of architects know this gap. You can scroll job boards for weeks and only see the same massive corporate firms or boutique shops, while the practices you'd actually love to work at remain invisible. The roles exist, but you can't see them from the outside.

What She Was Actually Looking For

Beyond firm size Charlotte wanted alignment between her design ethos and the studio's as well as alignment between her career goals and the trajectory the firm could offer. She wanted to learn, grow, and make a meaningful contribution.

She also wanted someone in her corner for the parts of the hiring process she didn't enjoy. As she put it: "Beyond giving me access to unlisted roles, their [Axis] biggest differentiator was handling the compensation negotiation, which happens to be my absolute least favorite part of the interview process."

That's a sentiment shared by a lot of designers. The work of designing is one thing. The work of negotiating your own value is something most architects would happily hand off to someone they trust.

What Made Working With Axis Different

Several things stood out, but the first was pace. "The experience never felt rushed or transactional," Charlotte said. "They were respectful and truly listened to my career goals and allowed me to be completely candid about the specific typologies and studio environments I was seeking. Instead of pushing the first open role that fit my technical skills, they focused on finding a genuine, long-term alignment between my design ethos and the practice."

The second was access. Axis introduced her to studios she hadn't previously known about, bridging the gap between what's publicly visible and what's actually out there. "Axis bridged that gap, introducing me to incredible studios I hadn't previously known about and broadening my horizons."

The third was preparation. Beyond resume feedback, Axis coached Charlotte on how to present her portfolio and navigate design-focused interviews. Being deliberate in sharing how you think and solve problems when talking about what you’ve built.

And the fourth was the feel of the interviews themselves. "I never felt like just another job seeker in a database. Because of the care they took in matching my skills with the right studio, the interviews felt incredibly natural. Walking into the office for the interview, it felt less like a formal interrogation and more like being introduced to a practice by a mutual colleague who knew we'd fit well together."

On the negotiation piece, Axis benchmarked her expectations against current market rates, communicated her non-negotiables clearly, and managed the back-and-forth directly with the firm. She secured a competitive package without the awkwardness of negotiating with principals herself.

Why the Opportunity Felt Right

What sealed it was the studio's clear trajectory for professional growth and its long-term project pipeline. Charlotte wasn't just signing on for one project. She was joining a practice with a future.

The follow-through after she started mattered too. Axis checked in a week or two into the role to make sure the reality matched what had been discussed. It did.

Since Joining

Charlotte joined the studio in January 2023. She's now been there three-plus years, including a maternity leave and return in early 2025, and the experience has held up.

"The studio culture is fantastic, both personally and professionally," she said. "We have a highly diverse team with a massive range of project expertise and specializations. It's incredibly rewarding to be in an environment where I can learn something new every single day and know the team genuinely has each other's backs."

The maternity leave transition was a test, and the studio passed it. "What really stood out to me was their consistency over the 3+ years I've been with the company. Both major milestones were handled with a level of ease and structural support that truly validated everything discussed during the recruitment process."

Her takeaway on growth is simple: "Being in the right work environment makes all the difference in growth. I'm pleasantly surprised how the right environment has allowed me to grow strong and steady in only a few years."

Her Advice for Architects and Designers Considering a Move

Two things, in Charlotte's words.

"Look at the whole picture. It's a challenging market right now, and it can be incredibly tempting to jump at the highest salary or the flashiest perks. While it's easier said than done, make sure to look past the base numbers and evaluate the overall design culture, project pipeline, and mentorship opportunities before signing."

And: "Don't wait for the 'perfect' moment. There is never a perfect time to make a career move in this industry. If you're feeling stagnant, privately connect with a recruiter just to explore your options. Finding the right recruitment partner makes all the difference, don't settle for less."

Axis Recruitment places architects, architectural technologists, interior designers, engineers, urban planners, and construction professionals across Canada and the USA. If you're thinking about your next move, or looking to hire, explore open roles or get in touch.