Young specialists on working at Metropolis
The Metropolis company actively recruits students, graduates and young professionals of architectural, engineering and construction specialties to implement the most ambitious and unique projects in the country together.
From the first day of our joint work, we pay a lot of attention to the development and training of employees, helping them to get used to our processes as quickly as possible and immediately involving them in the implementation of real projects in order to add practical skills and experience to the theoretical knowledge gained at the university.
On how they came to this profession, what kind of atmosphere awaits newcomers in Metropolis, what is included in the range of tasks, as well as what skills acquired at the university were most useful in their work, spoke the young specialists of the company who now work in our offices in 4 cities – Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan and Nizhny Novgorod.
Maxim Geibo, Assistant Chief Project Engineer, Moscow
Graduate of NRU MGSU of 2022
For my education, I set a goal of gaining as much knowledge as possible from various areas of construction. Therefore, I chose the institute of hydraulic engineering construction for the bachelor's degree. Why? At this department, they teach not only general construction areas, such as architecture and construction materials, but also give extensive knowledge of hydraulics and the organization of construction work of complex hydraulic units.
This is where the main difficulty lies: it was necessary to master a large amount of information from various areas of construction in a short time. But the effort put into it has definitely paid off!
During the master's programme, I also decided to study more closely the subject of digitalization in construction – BIM. Information modeling is used by all leading companies, including Metropolis. Understanding BIM and working with the appropriate software is a key skill for a young professional in any department.
Before Metropolis, I worked as a Production Technology Engineer for heating networks. The direction is interesting, but narrowly focused, and I wanted a bigger scope. And then on the Metropolis website I saw the completed projects of the company. There was this scope, uniqueness, both residential and social facilities, joint work with foreign architectural bureaus. The opportunity to get such a diversified experience was decisive in my desire to move to this company.
Now I work as an Assistant Chief Project Engineer. In general terms, both Chief Project Engineer and his assistant provide internal and external coordination of the project. The main thing is the setting of short-term and long-term goals, without which the project will take longer and be less efficient in terms of labor costs.
The team of Chief Project Engineers, which I got into, helped me to get used to the new area. At first, I had to constantly consult and ask for additional information regarding different tasks. Based on the results of the work, the superior gave advice and recommendations, which accumulated in the baggage of knowledge and experience. Over time, having studied many possible pitfalls, I began to work faster and better.
Polina Gorokhova – Architect, Nizhny Novgorod
Graduate of NNGASU of 2022
My specialty is an architect with a profile of urban design. It was a well-considered decision at a conscious age to enter a university at the Faculty of Architecture, but I was driven not only by pragmatic motives. Starting with cities, districts, residential areas and ending with small architectural forms, the hand of an architect is visible everywhere, his influence on the human environment cannot be ignored. In my opinion, there is no more creative profession than the work of an architect, and this attracts me the most.
During my education, the most difficult things were the most interesting for me. An architect is a very diversified profession that requires an understanding of many related fields, sometimes pretty far from architecture. I had to constantly switch between different disciplines: after a philosophy course, you rush to study building physics, and then you delve into the essence of the chemical properties of building materials, while not forgetting that another architectural project is getting closer to deadline. We were pretty busy.
In my final year at the university, I learned from senior architect colleagues that the Metropolis company was opening its branch in Nizhny Novgorod, and young specialists were being recruited there. I sent my resume, although from my experience of interacting with other design organizations I was not sure of a positive outcome, because companies in the labor market are reluctant to hire novice, green as grass architects, right from the university bench. But this time it was different. I passed the interviews, became part of a huge company and continue to be one.
When choosing a company, I was primarily guided by what objects I would work with. Of course, for a young specialist, any real design experience will be invaluable, whether it is a project for a production warehouse or a private residential building. Still, personally, I was more interested in working with buildings of a larger scale, and the Metropolis company fully met my expectations in this regard. In addition, I could not help but be attracted by the reputation of the company as one of the leading design organizations, which had a hand in such well-known facilities as GES-2, the Luzhniki Grand Sports Arena and the Evolution Tower.
Senior colleagues paid great attention to the appearance of a new employee and did everything so that I could get used to the new place without any problems. As a young specialist, at first I had a lot of questions in the process, and I could ask them at all without hesitation. There is an active exchange of experience in the team, and this, in my opinion, is the most suitable environment for professional growth.
Now what I do is adjust the detail design and develop drawings as part of architectural supervision. For me personally, this is a rather intriguing task, since some solutions are immediately brought to life from paper to the construction site, so what you drew in the model yesterday will be implemented tomorrow. It is especially exciting to work with BIM technologies, as they allow you to observe how a full-fledged information model becomes a real tangible object, exactly repeating what was designed.
Ksenia Klepova – Lead Design Engineer of Water Supply, Sewerage and Fire-Fighting Systems,
St. Petersburg, Graduate of SPbGASU of 2021
When choosing a specialty at the university, construction was of interest for me because it is an important area for people's life. And as I studied the various sections, this feeling was only growing stronger. The most interesting thing for me during my education was getting acquainted with design programs. I became assured that this field is my cup of tea only when I started working in Revit (a 3D modeling program) and further developed in this direction.
My acquaintance with the company began during my education at SPbGASU. To improve my skills in Revit, I took part in BIM championships, one of which was a case championship by Metropolis.
At this competition, my team was among the winners, and at the end of the championship I wanted to try my hand at designing, so after passing the interviews, I was hired by Metropolis.
My introduction to work began with the recognition of the fact that working and studying at a university are completely different things. And at first I was feeling ill at ease in an unfamiliar environment. But, fortunately, I quickly realized that other employees of the company are open, ready to help, clarify, explain the nuances and details that cause difficulties. It helped a lot to get comfortable, and also to realize that it is absolutely normal to ask for help if you don’t know something.
While working on projects, you have to perform various tasks: modeling systems in Revit, performing calculations, and so on. And sometimes even the simplest task can be complicated by the technical conditions of a particular project. And, in my opinion, the most interesting and important thing in my work is the non-standard solution of issues that arise when working on complex tasks, and a new look at the work process to improve results.
Enzhe Salakhova – Leading HVAC Design Engineer, Kazan
Graduate of KSUAE of 2022
I graduated from KSUAE with a degree in Heat and Gas Supply and Ventilation. Initially, I was not sure that the construction specialty suited me, but from the first day of my education I realized that it was very interesting and I want to develop and study in this direction. The most interesting thing in my education for me was freehand drawing, concurrent training and the execution of AutoCAD works (we had not yet drawn in Revit), as well as performing various calculations for term papers.
The Metropolis company attracted me with its large scale of work, career growth opportunities and transparent conditions. These criteria, I think, are the most crucial when choosing a company.
I have a good team, an excellent team leader. If you need help or something is not clear in the task, you can approach the chief specialists of your team, they will explain everything in great detail and show by example so that the person understands everything in detail and successfully completes the task. I think this place has all the necessary conditions so that a person quickly develops here professionally.
At the moment, I have a fairly wide range of functions: from building measurements (for calculating heating and ventilation systems) to preparing assignments for related sections. I also render engineering systems in Revit. These tasks are closely related to each other, and this is very interesting to me.
Artyom Vershinin – Lead Design Engineer of Water Supply, Sewerage and Fire-Fighting Systems,
Moscow, Graduate of NRU MGSU of 2022
I chose the construction specialty, because I have always been interested in how projects are developed in this industry. I am attracted by the accuracy of calculations, the development of drawings and their design. During my education, the most interesting subject for me was "Sanitary and technical equipment of buildings and structures." Thanks to this subject, I found myself in the design of internal water supply and sewerage systems.
The Metropolis company develops design documentation for internal water supply and sewerage systems, which was crucial to me when looking for an employer. This is a company with very interesting objects. It specializes in different areas: hospitals, residential, high-rise buildings. Each object needs its own approach and its own standards. This is attractive to me, since there was not a single day that I did not receive some new information.
All my colleagues are very approachable. At first, of course, it was hard to get comfortable and start working in Revit, but after a few months it became easier and easier, and then I no longer needed help. But I know that in case I need it, they will not refuse me and help me deal with the difficulties.
Now I work as a lead design engineer, my responsibilities include the selection of equipment for water supply and sewerage systems, the development of graphic and text parts of the project, various meetings on projects, working out the customer's comments, interaction with colleagues from related departments.
This company definitely offers the opportunity to develop and build a career. The management sees the work done and encourages employees. Here you can really become a good specialist.
Yulia Zolina – Architect, Nizhny Novgorod
Graduate of NNGASU of 2022
I had a strive to become an architect since childhood: I was very passionate about drawing, and already then I wanted to connect my future life with this. Architecture is an expression of the modern way of life. In my opinion, the most attractive thing here lies in the design process itself, where ideas, concepts and simple sketches eventually become someone's home, place of work, study, rest, what defines the space around us.
I studied at the Faculty of Architecture and Design, my specialization was Architecture. While studying, the most interesting and difficult at the same time was finding a common language with teachers. Sometimes it was not easy, but such experience already turned out to be very useful at work, since in the implementation of projects it is necessary to constantly communicate, find sometimes non-standard solutions together and work alongside different people.
I moved to the Metropolis company from another design organization where I worked during my education. In Metropolis I was attracted by 3 things – uniqueness, large scale of projects, professionalism. Here, projects of unique buildings and structures, large-scale in size and level of architectural solutions, are being developed. A large team of specialists works on each object. It is a great honor for me to become a part of such a team and have the opportunity to develop as a specialist at Metropolis.
I quickly adjusted here thanks to the team and especially to the group of architects, who I work with on the same object. Since everyone here is interested in the best result, the most comfortable working conditions are created within the team. More experienced employees help and explain the difficult moments that arise.
At the moment, my tasks include preparing a model in Revit for the Detail Design stage, where I place the main structural elements by floor levels, develop masonry and marking plans, simulate the exit from the underground parking. In the future, this stage of work will make it possible to prepare a BIM model for this object and sections of the Detail Design, which serve to perform specific installation and construction work and order equipment and are necessary for putting the object into operation.
Working on these tasks helps me gain the necessary experience in working with Building Information Modeling (BIM) technologies and with the specifics of developing sections of the Detail Design.
Anastasia Yachmeneva – Assistant Chief Project Engineer, Moscow
Graduate of NRU MGSU of 2022
I am a creative person since childhood, so I wanted creativity to be in my work. But when it came time to choose a profession, for a long time I could not decide what I would like to do. Having understood the essence of the profession of a construction worker, I realized that it suits me. "Industrial and civil construction" is a broad specialty. After graduation, you can become almost anyone in the construction industry.
During my education, I was most attracted by the fact that all term papers consisted of drawings and calculations. I enjoyed making them, I didn't feel like I was doing hard work – more like an exciting hobby.
In 2021, I worked as an architect, but even before starting my career, I wanted to be an assistant to the chief project engineer. Then I found a relevant opening at Metropolis, and it was perfect for me. Metropolis stands out among all other companies with its unique projects. Also, I liked that I would be working with blueprints and beautiful buildings. Moreover, I really enjoy learning English, and thanks to the international cooperation of Metropolis with foreign companies, I can practice my skills at work.
The adaptation period turned out to be very pleasant and passed before I could blink. I quickly and easily joined the internal processes. Communication in the team was well set up, and all questions that were not clear to me were immediately explained.
Now I supervise project tasks, organize communication between the customer and the contractors, and help with the project work. Management team is important both for the company and for the construction industry as a whole. The success of the project directly depends on what kind of people are involved in management. I hold the bar as a good assistant in project management and I'm proud of it.
Alexander Grigoriev – Architect, Nizhny Novgorod
Graduate of NNGASU of 2021
I started studying architecture after I became fascinated with the history and philosophy of this profession. I am interested in studying cultural and social aspects in this field, learning its history and broadening my horizons. Metropolis is my second job in the architectural field, apart from freelancing and internships, which I devoted time to during my education.
At Metropolis, I first of all noticed the openness and friendliness of the specialists with whom I communicated during the interviews. This was different from my experience of interacting with other companies. I was also attracted by the opportunity to try myself in the full cycle of creating large architectural objects and gain rich and valuable experience.
Now in this company I prepare the documentation and tidy up the structure of the project of a large building, on which many people worked at different times. For me, this is an important experience of working on a large, significant object, and I also learn more about the structural features of such buildings.
I'm still learning, but all my colleagues help me with advice and share their experience.