cad drafter

cad designer

structural engineer

civil engineer

billing analyst

FOCUS Engineering & Surveying

This company has a really good idea of what it wants to be but it is too restrictive as well. The reasons why I left are justifiable but it was the manner of how they handled letting me go and it helped me see the hypocrisy of this company. I felt like I was a good employee, but in your first 6 months, you are watched like no other. It felt like I was in trouble when I started. The new employee activities that they do are more like a college class, having you read from books that you would read in a typical business class, and then go over them. You are then “graded” based on your involvement in those discussions. They have reviews of your performance every 30 days and are pretty brutal on how they think you are doing. Like I said, I thought I was doing pretty good but they just though I was average, and said it just like that. I can tell you after that meeting, it flipped a switch that put me in a mode in which I didn’t really care all that much. Put me in a mode of punch in, punch out type. They could have done way better with how my manager handled that review and help me understand that the work I am doing is good, but that they want more involvement from me, make me feel like I would make a difference. They also don’t bring up anything that you either need to work on or tell you areas that you are doing great until those 30 day reviews. You don’t know how you’re doing in their eyes until those. When I did leave, they didn’t pull me aside to talk, they just called me after a days work and told me that I am not a fit for them. I am the type of person that would pull someone aside in my office to let them go and I would expect the same for someone about to let me go, but they chose the cowardly and selfish way. From that, I saw the hypocrisy that they were doing. 

Long story short, if you don’t want to be graded, feel like you are being watched, or put down, don’t apply to this company. I have also heard from a friend that is in the same field as this company that they are not a good company to work for and has a lot of issues.

Focus is big talk on culture and growth. They suck you in and then you learn how much they really don't care about their employees. You can sacrifice so much time and work so hard, but in the end they don't practice what they preach. If you stand up for yourself, you are shunned. They want you to bend over backwards for management and always be a "yes sir" employee. They have changed management and the idea of growth is impossible. They have created a new system of how to advance, but it is impossible and honestly silly. They took away all of our job titles pretty much (demoting us) but called it a reformation. ha The benefits for the company are a blessing and I will say they do a great job there. But if you want to have a balance in life and work don't come here. THEY EXPECT OVERTIME, even if there is too much work for you to do. They are honestly spineless and pathetic when it comes to walking away from Focus. They act like there is nothing better out there and to leave is a stab in their back. When in actuality there are 1000s of other companies that will appreciate what you do and compensate you for it, unlike Focus. You will initially love it, but it won't take long to realize they don't look out for you. They care about their perfect image, instead of focusing on how unhappy employees are in this atmosphere. 

FOCUS is a great place to work for me. It isn't a great fit for everyone, but working here has helped me be better, care more, and build confidence in my skills and what I bring to the company. If you're looking for new challenges and the ability to grow and stretch yourself into something better, you'll find it a workplace filled with others doing the same. It isn't a perfect organization and still has things to improve, but feedback opportunities are given for anyone in the company to ask questions to their manager or even any other leader in the company. I believe they want to listen first, ask questions for understanding, and respond later and I have seen them make changes because of employee feedback. 

Focus was an important part of my career and helped me develop both technically and professionally. I worked with many talented people, was given meaningful responsibility, and gained experience that continues to benefit me today.

My perspective changed after working at other firms. Many of the things I once viewed as necessary tradeoffs turned out to be company choices. I found organizations that maintained high standards, strong teams, and ambitious goals while also providing greater transparency, stronger compensation, and better work-life balance.

For the entire time I worked at Focus it really felt like the company didn't care at all about me or other employees.  There was constant negative feedback and hardly ever any positivity or encouragement.  The entire office seemed overworked.  I would get last minute emergency projects constantly and have to cancel evening plans day of to try and finish them.  Projects were constantly underbid, so in the engineering department you would work unpaid overtime almost every week to try and finish projects by the deadline.  And when you inevitably didn't, you were berated for it in your weekly staff meetings.  All mandatory meetings took place either at 7:00am or during an unpaid lunch, and if there was ever a paid meeting half of it would be telling you how much money they were losing by paying you for attending a meeting.  I worked hard, worked overtime constantly, and yet never once felt appreciated or like they cared about me in any personal way.

FOCUS is a high-energy company comprised of employees who are committed to delivering success for its clients. It has a very strong culture of improvement, and management commits significant resources to help employees develop the skills necessary to be successful and advance. Expectations are high, as each employee is expected to do whatever is necessary to keep their clients happy, and co-workers are supportive and willing to help each other be successful. The company's core tenets include integrity, communication, teamwork, and customer service, and employees work to practice these things in all internal and external client interactions. If you enjoy striving for constant improvement and growth, you will thrive in this environment.

FOCUS is a great company full of great people. The people of FOCUS are committed to providing an environment where anyone who works hard and is committed to the mission can succeed.  The management team genuinely cares about our human connection and what we need to be successful. I was quickly given an opportunity to manage others and improve my people skills. FOCUS also trusts me to work directly with clients and prove that I have what it takes to keep them happy. I'm proud to be part of a company that tries so hard to provide a culture that encourages us to be great and to always believe in our ability to succeed.

When I started at Focus I feel as if right away I was cared about as an employee and as a person. People greeted me by name from the start and seemed to have a genuine care for who I am and my work, including the partners of the company. As an entry level professional, who previously had no experience in accounting I have been taught and guided in learning accounting skills as well as life skills. Due to relocation, I am leaving the Focus family. But I know with everything I have learned at Focus I have everything I need to be successful. I was able to find a place at Focus, where I have been heard and respected personally and professionally. 

Focus has been a great company to work for. I highly recommend applying if you want to be a part of a growing developing team.


Focus invests in their employees more than any other employer that I’ve had. I came in with no experience in engineering but from day one leadership has been consistently committed to training me and helping me grow as an individual at the same time. Your personal and professional growth & opportunities are endless here if you are willing to put out the effort. In my experience, management always hears out my ideas, concerns, and wants/needs. The company culture makes this place stand out from other engineering firms. It’s obvious that Focus is very committed to keeping a healthy and enjoyable workplace and thats allowed me to have a great work-life balance for the first time. 

In my time at Focus it has been a good experience. There is highs and lows like anything in life, but there is support to help you use the hard times to grow and become stronger. this company is rigorous at times, with the intent of helping you grow. It works well when you are seeking growth and separates people just looking for mediocrity for a paycheck. We are asked to do hard things, but when we achieve hard things that is recognized and rewarded. I personally have achieved in 2 years what would take 5+ years at any other engineering company.  Based off of my efforts and drive and not my tenure. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Cad drafter 8 salaries reported	$19.00 per hour
Cad designer 5 salaries reported	$19.00 per hour
Structural engineer 5 salaries reported	$77,500 per year
Civil engineer 3 salaries reported	$65,000 per year
Billing analyst 6 salaries reported	$18.50 per hour

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