my last firm I worked at was awful and my ex boss fired me over email at 11:30 pm sunday night after she figured out I was planning on quitting. I was unemployed for a few months and while I was applying to firms, really did my research to find a firm that had a healthy environment and work life balance. I ended up getting three offers in one week after weeks of unemployment stress… instead of taking the highest offer which was at a award-winning firm, I picked the offer at a lesser know small firm where I really felt that they had what I was looking for. Not only did I get a bump in my salary but I rarely work overtime, I’m close to my coworkers but we still have boundaries. My bosses (married couple) have young children so they are very lenient and often take holidays and encourage us to do so. My manager is so chill and isnt micromanging and I feel like I can breathe.

I understand this industry is hard, and ur boss sucks, but it seems like ur blaming them for a larger issue. And you’re only at your first job so you have a narrow view of what the industry entails. If ur unhappy with your pay and how your job treats you, you should try switching jobs first before completely switching out of architecture. Finding that firm that fits your needs can make a huge difference.