As businesses continue to rethink workplace culture, career development and employee experience, the advantages of smaller organisations are increasingly coming into focus.
Here, Shirel Stedman, Non-Executive Director at PJA, shares her thoughts on why SMEs can offer a uniquely rewarding working environment.
“Large companies are often viewed as the gold standard for career progression, global brand names, defined career structures, major projects and international opportunities. However, having spent much of my career in both large multinational organisations and smaller specialist consultancies, I have come to appreciate that smaller companies offer many advantages that are often underestimated.
“I joined PJA, a growing multidisciplinary SME consultancy, two years ago after spending more than 25 years within large global professional services firms. The contrast has been striking.
“One of the biggest differences has been the breadth and variety of projects. At PJA, teams are exposed to everything from strategic site visioning and large-scale development infrastructure to flood risk, environmental planning and climate resilience, often integrating nature-based solutions and multidisciplinary thinking from the earliest stages of projects. This holistic approach gives staff exposure to the full project lifecycle rather than only a small component of delivery.
“For junior professionals in particular, this significantly accelerates technical development, project management capability and stakeholder engagement skills. In larger organisations, gaining that level of responsibility and exposure can often take many years.
“The pace of a smaller company also creates a culture of continuous learning. People are encouraged to develop across multiple disciplines, solve problems collaboratively and take ownership earlier in their careers. Teams become more adaptable, commercially aware and technically rounded because they are constantly learning from one another and from direct project experience.
“Another key difference is visibility. In a smaller business, individuals are far more likely to work directly with senior leadership, contribute to strategic discussions and see how decisions are made. Relationships across teams also tend to feel more connected and collaborative, whether through project delivery, internal initiatives or simply day-to-day interaction.
“That is not to say large companies do not offer valuable opportunities – they absolutely do. But my observation is that smaller companies often provide broader experience, greater visibility, faster personal development and a stronger sense of contribution. For many people, particularly earlier in their careers, that can be both more rewarding and far more enjoyable.”
While there is no single “right” career path, Shirel’s experience highlights the important role smaller businesses can play in developing well-rounded, adaptable professionals and creating working environments where individuals feel genuinely connected to the work they do.
Find out more about our current vacancies here
Find out more about our services here
Sign up for more news from PJA here
