Career Development

At SMMA, we believe that career development is as multifaceted and interconnected as our approach to design. For nearly seven decades, we’ve cultivated an environment where diverse perspectives converge, fostering innovation and excellence in architecture, engineering, and planning.

Our employee-owned structure empowers each team member to take an active role in their professional growth, mirroring the integrated dialogue we champion in our projects. We understand that true elegance in design—and in careers—emerges from a continuous process of refinement and collaboration.

Mentor-Protégé Program

SMMA’s Mentor-Protégé Program focuses in promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, relationship building, knowledge sharing, and inclusive access to leadership. The program runs every year from Fall to Spring and pairings are encouraged to meet monthly to work towards professional goals.

“Being relatively new to SMMA, it has been amazing to have a mentor like Chase. I have learned a great deal about communication, active listening, and the personal dynamics that drive successful design projects.”

Ashley Maggiacomo, Interior Designer

Licensure and Learning

We invest in the growth and development of our employees.

Licensure

SMMA covers the cost of study materials and examination fees for employees in pursuit of professional registration and certification.

Education Reimbursement

We provide financial support to employees taking courses offered through a university or college, continuing education courses, and seminars and workshops offered through professional societies.

Lunch & Learns

Tapping into our network of consultants and industry experts, we keep abreast of the latest developments in building technology and design—with free lunches to sweeten the deal.

Workforce Training and Online Learning

SMMA employees can choose from nearly 50 training programs both online and in person, supported by a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Separately, tools such as LinkedIn Learning provide access to thousands of online courses.

Groups & Clubs

BeSpeak

A semi-weekly, Toastmasters-style workshop that empowers SMMA employees to improve their communication skills and craft effective presentations. Participants work on storytelling and delivery, with opportunities to critique and earn feedback from fellow speakers.

Building Performance Group

Grows and organizes SMMA’s collective knowledge of building performance by conducting research, reporting findings, and developing expertise related to varying subjects and tools in building science.

Construction Administration Group

Discusses aspects and issues faced during the construction phase of projects and how best to harness lessons from the field to positively influence the development of drawings and specifications.

Computational Design Group

Works to make computational design more approachable and better utilized across SMMA’s projects. Includes a monthly series of workshops and presentations on everything from generative AI to performative analysis of buildings and environments.

DesignU

A collective of experienced designers that meet regularly to foster stronger relationships across diverse markets, promote idea exchange, and enhance techniques, tools, processes, and storytelling at SMMA.

Emerging & Mid-Level Professionals

Brings together employees at a similar point in their professional journey to talk about their careers within the firm and the industry at large. This is formed of two separate groups that meet bi-weekly.

Rhino User Group

Welcomes employees with a mutual interest in progressing the overall use of Rhinoceros 3D as a design tool at SMMA. The group meets monthly to share completed or ongoing projects that utilize Rhino for conceptual design and analysis.