Does Dawson Design Associates pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Dawson Design Associates employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.8 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Dawson Design Associates. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Dawson Design Associates?

87% of Dawson Design Associates employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Dawson Design Associates 3.3 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.8 for culture and values and 4.4 for career opportunities.

What are the pros of working at Dawson Design Associates according to real employee reviews?

"During my time at DDA, I was given the opportunity to travel to project sites gaining hands" ((in 4 reviews)); "The culture at DDA is fast paced, competitive and intense." ((in 3 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Dawson Design Associates according to real employee reviews?

"Learning myself how to be a project manager was extremely difficult, it would have been nice to learn from or work under older, more experienced project managers aside from the firm's busy principal." ((in 1 reviews))

Dawson Design Associates Reviews

3.9

87% would recommend to a friend

(20 total reviews)

Andrea Sheehan

88% approve of CEO

74% positive business outlook

Dawson Design Associates has an employee rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 20 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Dawson Design Associates employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Finance industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

20 reviews

5.0

8 July 2016

Manage your own career at DDA

Junior architectural designer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

This is a fast paced, interactive firm with high expectations. You can really propel your career if you are proactive, ask questions, and be positive. If you want to advance, you have to be your own advocate. There are plenty of resources on the server, training booklets, old projects, standards if you take the time to look that can better your skills. If you love doing one-of-a-kind spaces with what seems like no limit, this is the place. The transformations of hotels is really spectacular and has a "DDA" look of authenticity to them.

Cons

If you are looking for a place to clock in and out of, this is not it. Projects move fast and that is reflected in the pace of the firm. The CEO expects a lot and often raises her voice when she is frustrated which is not necessarily an indicator that she is angry. This is not your interior design studio from school the critique will be harsh. You cannot take it personally, even though everyone does.

Dawson Design Associates Response

4y

Thank you for your great review and feedback! We hope that the lessons you learned at DDA provided you with a strong start in building the foundations of a promising career .

1.0

30 Oct 2015

Abusive Relationship

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

Beautiful Projects, Talented staff, although stifled and unhappy

Cons

If you enjoy being mentally and verbally abused, then this is the job for you. Many people equate being employed here to being in an abusive relationship. The CEO has a horrible reputation in the industry. Listen to what people are saying, it's true.

Dawson Design Associates Response

4y

I am very sorry that DDA was not a fit for you. We are not for everybody and hopefully your experience with DDA helped you find a better fit for your needs. We wish you the best in your career.

1.0

6 Jan 2012

"Revolving Door" Reputation for a Reason

Design associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

Company's projects and products are top notch. Employees are talented and well educated.

Cons

The biggest issue is the owner of the company, who believes public humiliation is the best teacher. There's a reason this company has a reputation for having a "Revolving door," employees are fired or quit frequently. New graduates are offered wages far below industry standard. Office is a filthy mess.

Viewing 1 - 3 of 20 Reviews