Unpopular Opinion: Stop Hating on Group Projects — GVSU PRSSA – Grand Valley State University Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America

Want to hear something crazy? I love group projects. Yes, you heard that right. You might be nodding in agreement or making a face at the screen - but let me explain. I love getting to know different people and working together towards a common goal. I love the feeling of accomplishing something big and celebrating our wins as a team. By working together, any task that may seem a bit daunting becomes a little more manageable.

Here are five reasons why you should love group projects, too:

You’ll always have someone else to bounce ideas off of. Ideation can be one of the most exciting aspects of a project.
Your team members can provide connections and resources that you may not have had access to otherwise.
The more perspectives you have, the more creative and effective your work will be.
Team members balance each other’s skills. Someone might be better at something than you are, and that’s okay.
By working in a team, you build trust and a stronger, more positive work culture.

My teamwork highlight reel

Working in a group can be one of the most rewarding experiences when you’ve accomplished something together. Some of the highlights of my life so far, like winning a Student Emmy Award, placing third in the Arthur W. Page Case Study competition, and participating in CreateAthon, are all results of working on a team with dedicated individuals.

Teamwork IRL

“It feels like I have a million tasks and projects thrown at me in a day, with deadlines to meet and several clients to juggle,” says Courtney Fogle. Courtney is a former GrandPR member and GVSU alumna. She currently works in the entertainment industry at Ivory Star Productions in Las Vegas, Nevada as their Public Relations Coordinator. “Any public relations professional will tell you that it’s imperative you work together with your team in order to meet your goals. Whether you work in healthcare, entertainment, or tech - you will be working as a team.”

“I’m thankful for my experience in group projects and extracurricular activities, like GrandPR and PRSSA for preparing me for the fast-paced collaboration process in the industry,” said Courtney. “My best advice is to recognize that you are NOT above teamwork - get used to it, and learn to appreciate your peers.”

Hate group work? You’re in the wrong field.

I always hear complaints from my classmates when we’re assigned a group project, and I understand that many of my peers are not the biggest fans of working collectively. However, teamwork is inevitable in the real world. You are always going to have to work with other people in the public relations industry, it’s all about building relationships. So quit hating on group projects now, and you’ll feel a lot more prepared for work in the future.

About Allyssa

Allyssa Murphy is a senior studying advertising and public relations at Grand Valley State University, and she is currently an Account Executive for GrandPR and GVSU PRSSA member. She has a passion for nonprofit communication and relations, and she has experience with media arts. She enjoys watching movies, attending game nights with friends, and reading thrillers & mysteries (and occasionally a sappy love story) in her spare time.