one stone, one or two birds?
May 24, 2012 5:24 AM   Subscribe

I have two very different and unique opportunities during the summer, and I don't know how to choose between the two. Help!

Background: I'm in a prestigious design program for grad school, spending profligate amounts of money on tuition that ensure that I won't ever go back to school and also that will keep me in student debt for at least the next 20 years. I've received two opportunities, and really want to do both, as they're both good for me, but do not know how to choose.

Opportunity 1:
Through a good friend (lets call him Henry) I've landed a unique and rare design project. While I'm not getting paid that much from it and am having to dip into my savings to support myself, the project places a lot of creative, logistical, managerial, and financial responsibilities on my shoulders, and it's rare for someone of my age to get a project. Henry trusts me and my team (of 2 other), and as such has placed a great deal of money (6 figures USD) indirectly in my care. I'm ecstatic about the project, as it's not only an immense learning opportunity but also intellectually and creatively compelling, and am committed to it for the summer, passing up other opportunities such as a rare teaching job or a research job.

Opportunity 2:
Through my school program, an all-expenses-paid travel/research/design project has just been offered to me that would allow me to travel abroad to a country that I probably wouldn't easily be able to travel to alone, as it's on the state department's 'do not travel' list. I have no doubts that the trip itself will be safe. The project would be at the intersection of almost ALL of my academic interests, and would be a very direct and hands-on way to engage with my interests. The program would thus allow personal academic growth within my interests, and fits in very well with my program. It would also provide some much-needed respite during the summer, as I've been feeling particularly overworked, tired, and burnt-out over the last year.

Problem:
The project lasts for two weeks, during the more intensive design phase of Opportunity 1. I'd be missing out on 40% of a crucial phase. I have no doubt that my team can manage the project during the two weeks that I might be away, however- the problem isn't an execution issue but a missed opportunity issue. But not only that, I'm worried about letting Henry down or offending him, since fundamentally he's a good friend who has put so much trust in me.

At the same time, the travel project is only offered this summer and not next year, which makes it my last chance to engage in such a project. I went on a travel project last summer, and it was immensely fulfilling and satisfying. It would allow me to practice a language, to fulfill my academic/political/ethical interest and desires, and would let me travel to boot. It would also let me feel like I hadn't jettisoned all of these other teaching opportunities, etc, for nothing.

Also, I am only in my program for one more year, and then will probably never be in this kind of program again, ever. I'm young (in my mid-20s), and have decades and decades of time left to work within my profession and to get other projects. Seen in that light, it seems like the travel project is more important. Seen in terms of emotional/personal/financial responsibility and trust, it seems like the design project is much more important.

What should I do? I have to decide within the next day or two. This situation seems to be particularly complex, and it's hard for me to talk about it with friends, as all of the opportunities I've been offered are relatively rare and uncommon, and I have a hard time talking about it without feeling like I sound immensely privileged and lucky.

Here are the options as I see it:
Option A) Opportunity 1
Option B) Opportunity 1 & 2, pull late-nights and all-nighters and get it done.
Option C) Opportunity 1 & 2, but delay Opportunity 1 for two weeks while I leave, effectively extending the design phase and allowing me to do both.
Option D) ?

Thanks, AskMe!
posted by anonymous to Work & Money (10 answers total)
 
I would first and foremost not forego the travel opportunity, only because I found myself in a similar situation when I was in school. I chose the travel option and weirdly enough, it opened up doors later that I never knew existed at the time. It's a resume builder and conversation piece at the very, very minimum and part of the fun of risk is that it rewards in bizarre ways later. Do it.

As for the Henry piece, I also see that as a great opportunity. Although you won't be getting paid it could create a good reference, personal advocate and/or opportunity for a foot-in-door paid position when you graduate. I wouldn't discount this opportunity, but if you do take it on, it needs the attention and respect it deserves. Therefore, I'd schedule to "have coffee" with Henry and be open and honest with him about your predicament. Treat it as a casual, yet very-business conversation. Tell him that you're feeling torn and that you want to take on the travel opportunity, but also see great opportunity with his project. Then ask him if it would be possilbe to do both the travel project and his project, but delay it for three weeks. If he hems and haws, then tell him two weeks (it's a negotiation). If he's open, honest, understanding and a generally awesome person to work for, he will agree to this. That is the type of business-person that you WANT to be involved with.

Best case scenario: you travel, you have a week to digest, then you start work with Henry that's been delayed two weeks that extends the design phase.

Middle case: you travel, you get to work with Henry that's been delayed two weeks that extends the design phase.

Worst case: you travel, you find work elsewhere.

Good luck!
posted by floweredfish at 5:59 AM on May 24, 2012 [2 favorites]


I would go with either Option A or Option B. It sounds like Opportunity 2 is too great to pass up - if you didn't go, I could see you regretting it for the rest of your life. As for Opportunity 1, do you think you could talk to Henry or the other people involved in the opportunity, to see how big a deal it would be for you to miss a couple of weeks?
posted by barnoley at 6:09 AM on May 24, 2012


I'm a mid-career artist with design experience, I'd lean toward option A in this economy. I think FloweredFish's advise is based on previous decades wisdom. Also, the career of an artist/designer sees more travel as you take off (mine has), so the idea of "get it now, while you can" is less compelling.

However, if you're *really* tired and need a break then you've got to listen to that. New research that brain scientists are pursueing into how creativity works backs up taking breaks big time.
posted by Murray M at 6:11 AM on May 24, 2012


Floweredfish is totally right about having coffee with Henry.
posted by Murray M at 6:13 AM on May 24, 2012


Do one, or the other. To be practical, think about the networking opportunities.

- How well connected is Henry? How visible is his firm? If he is well-connected, he can tell people how well you did, you can get a rec. from him.

- Who's involved in the school program? - Who would you meet? - Who could you introduce yourself to?

Think about your resume ...
posted by carter at 6:30 AM on May 24, 2012


Congratulations, both sound awesome.

I'm rather in agreement that if you can manage to do both, that would be the way to go. Have a chat with Henry and see where that leads.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:43 AM on May 24, 2012 [1 favorite]


Of course if you can do both you should do both. But between the two of them, it sounds like the first one is the better career investment. Work in a "do not travel" country may not be a resume builder; it might come off as random. If Henry is well connected and his project is likely to go well it sounds like an enormous portfolio piece that you'll be glad to have; and it's a whole summer worth of work, not just two weeks.
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:02 AM on May 24, 2012


Oops, in my earlier comment I meant to say Option B or Option C.
posted by barnoley at 7:23 AM on May 24, 2012


I think it really depends on Henry, because if you've already made a commitment to him you should only alter your commitment if he's really and truly okay with it. He's given you a great opportunity (at some risk to his firm) and to put that project at risk because something cooler came along is not classy.
posted by Heart_on_Sleeve at 7:52 AM on May 24, 2012


I'd say Option A. Having a real project under your belt at this stage will not only teach you a lot but be helpful for your career. Travel is more passive learning, like school, so you're already doing a lot of that. Also, I'd bet the project will run into a few unexpected challenges, so trying to do both could be very hard. But if the project isn't very important to you and not that useful career-wise, then maybe negotiate your way into a lesser role you can easily do while also taking the trip.
posted by salvia at 8:34 AM on May 24, 2012


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