Should You Pick Up That New Project?

When you're a junior or mid-level data analyst, it can feel like you need to say yes to everything. A new project comes up, and you think, “If I don’t take it, will I miss out?” But not every project is the right one for you—and learning how to choose wisely is a big part of growing in your career.

Tanya Reilly, in her book The Staff Engineer’s Path, talks about this in a way that really sticks. She says that as you grow, you’re expected to find your own problems to solve. That doesn’t mean grabbing whatever’s lying around. It means looking for work that matters—to your team, to your company, and to you.

Let’s say someone asks you to help clean up a dashboard that no one really uses. Sure, it’s work. But is it meaningful? Will it help the business? Will it help you grow? If the answer is no, it might be better to pass.

Now imagine someone brings you a messy, undefined problem. Maybe it’s about figuring out why a campaign underperformed. There’s no clear path, and no one’s sure where to start. That might feel scary—but it’s also a chance to lead. To bring clarity. To ask questions. To make something better. That’s the kind of project that helps you grow.

Tanya also reminds us that you don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to be willing to figure things out. And if you wait for the perfect project, you might be waiting forever. Sometimes, it’s better to take a thoughtful guess, write down what you’re doing, and move forward.

If you’re still unsure whether to take on a project, here’s a simple way to think about it. Ask yourself:

• Will this give me energy, or will it drain me?

• Will it help me build credibility with my team or leaders?

• Will it improve or hurt my quality of life at work?

• Will I learn or strengthen any skills I care about?

• Will it grow my social capital—my relationships and reputation?

  
  

You don’t need a perfect score in every area. But if a project checks a few of these boxes, it’s probably worth your time.

And yes, things will go wrong. That’s part of the deal. But every mistake is a chance to learn. Every challenge is a chance to show what you can do.

So next time you’re thinking about picking up a new project, don’t just ask, “Can I do this?” Ask, “Is this the right thing for me to do right now?”, "Will it help me to start with data and end with value?".