junior designer

BGI Retail Inc.

My first 2 weeks with the company I did not have a computer to use as the "IT Guy" was too busy to set up a login to the server. When I did get a computer I was given a laptop, I spent 8hrs a day hunched over attempting to work. I eventually had to go and purchase my own dongle to connect an external monitor, a wireless keyboard. and a mouse. I supplied my own tablet to ease my work flow. The desk I was given had some of the old computers no longer used in the department piled underneath it and I had very little room to move. Eventually I got fed up and had to move them myself so I could get some breathing room. You can not expect someone to work efficiently if you are not willing to provide proper and ergonomic working conditions.

Within the first half hour on my first day the designer responsible for training me let me know that they had previously hired 2 other designers who did not make it past their 3 month probation prior to me. He let me know often that he hoped I would make the cut as he believed I was hired on along with another designer to replace 2 of the current employees. The senior of the department had also left the company a few weeks prior to my hire date.

The work was inconsistent and for weeks at a time I was sent to the shipping and manufacturing departments. Due to the lack of work one of the designers was let go just after my 3 months probation. 2 months later I was let go for the same reason along with 3 other employees from the manufacturing side. 2 weeks after I was let go, the Senior Designer was termed and replaced with a new designer.

I requested samples of the work that I had done for my portfolio and I was given low resolution mock ups instead of the photographs that were taken after installations.

This seemed like a great opportunity when I took the job but I was left high and dry in the end.

It seemed like a good place to work at first, but as time went on it was clear that the company itself was plagued by issues with bloated, ineffectual upper management. There were managers for managers for managers, all wanting something different and going behind the backs of others managers to get things done. Communication was a joke and my main concern was looking out for myself, because at the end of the day everyone was looking to point the finger when things inevitably went wrong. 

The issue of management is ingrained into the company itself because it starts from the very top. An email that was accidently sent to the whole company spoke of "cutting out all the dead wood" just before Christmas, spoke to the disregard and ultimate lack of humanity shown for BGI's employees. The close people I worked with were all great, helpful and friendly, but with the management issues, a clear divide was made in an "us vs them" dichotomy. 

Also, raises are non existent company wide. 

You'll be working quietly and independently on the most basic tasks of placing icons on building plans. Also, expect to be spending a lot of time using Microsoft Excel. Talking and asking for help is looked down upon. Management is the poorest factor. Hardest part of the job is sitting for 8 hours nonstop doing repetitive work. Hard on your back and your mental health. There is nothing enjoyable about working here. Pay is a couple dollars more then minimum wage. Employment is short lived. People get let go constantly and you will know as an email is sent to everyone to let you know was recently fired. BGI has 3 indeed accounts and does this to hide the bad reviews. BGI Retail Inc., BGI Graphics Inc. and BGI Retail.

The company sounded great in the interview....then after 6 months I knew I made a terrible mistake leaving my other occupation.

Teams were routinely fighting over resources, cutting up each other openly in meetings, ultimately undermining each other’s jobs.  Everything was a fire and very stressful, confusing for all is an understatement. 
It was difficult remaining positive watching people whom were supposed to be leading the company, focused on themselves, no team work or respect for others.  Very little diversity within the company as well.

I will never get this time back…

A typical day would involve coming up with designs that were more production orientated than creative. I was recruited mainly for my design and 3D rendering skills, neither of those were used on a daily basis. The owner behaved like a bully in the school yard, so most employees became fearful of their jobs, thus creating an atmosphere of every man for himself... a lot of back stabbing and finger pointing.

What is the best part of working at the company?
friendly co-workers, most ppl make you feel like family

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
not enough help, pile to much on individuals and when you ask for help they ignore you

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
stressful,  fast paced environment, everything is rush rush rush

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
busy, time flies, no offices so very loud.  Hard to concentrate

I worked for BGI for nearly 3 years. I lost my job due to Covid and the apparent cancellation of the project we worked on. Reality was they found an opportunity to clean house and they took it. The place is okay if you can keep your business to yourself. Upper management and senior staff have very free tongues when it comes to passing around confidential information for gossip. Thoroughly disappointed with my experience. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Butt kissing supervisors, and power tripping management.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Watching company being taken over by a sad class of petty managers.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Minimum brain usage, Max egos.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Hanging out waiting for work to be produced so you can do work.

Not a lot of companies are growing at the rate that BGI is which is one of the reasons i joined the company.  Growth means potential for personal growth and i feel that i have a good chance of growing here.  We do have some growing pains that we are figuring out but overall i look forward to coming  to work everyday and working with a lot of great people.

If you want to work with people who you come to love as family, this is the place to work. I had the best experience with those I worked closely with. My boss was amazing and very understanding that life sometimes happens during work hours.  If you come in with an attitude that your job is only one thing, then you'll not have the power of team work that does happen when you're apart of it. 

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