Dear Birdie: Prioritizing Productive Projects
Written by Birdie, Graphic by Anna Porter
Welcome back to “Dear Birdie,” a column where I do my best to offer guidance and some humor in response to questions from our college community! Throughout the column, I hope to help answer questions about anything and everything – from class troubles to relationship advice, movie recommendations and more. This column is anonymous, on both ends, so that you all can be more comfortable (and so I don’t have anyone tracking me down if my advice accidentally makes things worse instead of better). Which we’re going to hope and put out there that it doesn’t!
This week, we have a question regarding extracurricular projects.
“Dear Birdie, how do you learn to say no to projects that don’t benefit you?”
This has been a conversation I’ve had quite a few times this year. Here at SCAD, no matter the major, there are opportunities to jump on outside of your classes. Whether that be student films, photoshoots or design sprints, it seems like there’s always something more you could be doing. While taking advantage of these projects during your time here is important, spending your time, resources and energy on endeavors that will benefit you is also important.
The first step in this process is figuring out whether to say yes or no to a project in the first place. When something like this comes up for me, there are a few things I recommend considering:
- Is the project necessary practice?
- Are the people you’ll be collaborating with good at what they do and enjoyable people to work with?
- Is the project itself of good quality?
- Are you passionate about it?
If the answer to more than one of these questions is yes (or there’s a strong emphasis on one), then the project seems like a great opportunity and a chance to grow! No matter what, you’ll learn something at the end of the day, which is why we’re all at SCAD.
If the overwhelming answers to these questions are no, consider turning down the offer. It’s best to handle saying no with respect – avoid ghosting people and don’t over-explain yourself. You’re not obligated to and fellow SCAD students are usually very understanding because we’re all in the same boat. When I turn down a project, I like to put them in contact with another creative to fill the spot, that way they’re not completely left in the lurch. I understand that it can be a difficult decision (especially if it may look good on your resume or if you feel bad), but remember that no one is entitled to your time, especially not for a project unrelated to your academic classes or other obligations. Student projects are unpaid labor, so if you want to add something else to your plate, it should benefit you whether that’s creatively, professionally or even personally.
That’s enough chirping from me for now!
Until next time,
Birdie
