Is it normal that i seek to moonlight in two different career fields?

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11 Comments

I like to touch. I don't have a problem touching people to comfort or touching people to inspire. Long story made short, I want to be a physician associate, but I also want to act.

I have wanted to act and voice act for about five years now. However, I cannot let go of all that I have done towards a career in healthcare. In fact, one of the reasons I want to be a physician assistant instead of a doctor is so I might give myself the time to pursue other personal interests and career goals besides just treating individual people.

I am by no means trying to half-heartedly walk my way into medicine as there are a number of things I am considering doing as a PA, but I really want to act! Also, I figure being a PA would at the very least be my day job as I garner acting experience.

I have heard stories of wall street brokers moonlighting as movie extras, and that sounds like fun. Dr. Ken, full-time doctor and comedian actor, is also very inspiring. He is a living example that you can do all that you want regardless of outside opinion as long as you are being fulfilled.

Is it reasonable that I hope to eventually fulfill this great dream of mine I put so much heart into?
Or does it seem like an excuse to half-ass my way into medicine, like it's a backup plan, just for the money so I can fuel other dreams that are less stable?
Am I two-timing careers?
Is it even possible to cheat on your primary career with another?
What is this -- a relationship??
Should I be focusing on one, or can I focus on one at a time or on both simultaneously?
Am I digging two holes instead of just one and consequently leading myself into failure of both by doing so?

I was not born into a family of celebrities or talent passed down from generation to generation, but I love to make people laugh and emote. It has changed me as a person, and I need to continue to feel like I've still got it. I love being serious when I can be, but I am not a serious person.
Besides, they say successful people are often the unrealistic ones with an absolute belief in their goal to make their dreams a reality.

Voting Results
75% Normal
Based on 76 votes (57 yes)
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Comments ( 11 )
  • ariannel
    12 years ago

    My father has published 4 novels and is also a nusinessman. You're free to do whatever you want. There's no rule that says you gotta be one thing. Go for both!

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    • DeepCrimson
      12 years ago

      Thank you for your input! I am sure if I continue down this path I will make way for both. I can't help but feel like I'm ripping off career paths though, you know? There are PAs and actors who work their lives around their specialties, and here I am trying to do both. It feels like a slap in the face to those who have worked so hard to make ends-meet in just one field. But that's them, and this is me. I just don't want to two-time my way into failure. I don't want to be condemned either, so I don't tell a lot of people of my ambitions, especially not to PA programs. I'll have to take steps one at a time.

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      • ariannel
        12 years ago

        To be honest, I think you're worrying way too much about what other people might think. I just don't think people will care overmuch about your career methodology. If people are going to get butthurt because you don't dedicate as much time as they do
        but perform just as well (or better!)
        then either you're a frigging genius or they're doin' it wrong. Either way, its not on you to cater to their vanity.

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        • DeepCrimson
          12 years ago

          Nicely put. Thank you again for your input.

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  • Darkoil
    12 years ago

    I'm going to be a doctor but all I really want to do is write a novel and/or screenplay.

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    • DeepCrimson
      12 years ago

      Also, do you tell people of your other goals?

      Did you bother to tell medical schools of future ambitions, or are you really not planning on continuing to write for a while?

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    • DeepCrimson
      12 years ago

      So, why don't you write novels and screenplays?
      What holds you and I back from going forth and pursuing?
      Is it because we believe we can do both, or because we also want respect and a stable job? Maybe we want the best of both worlds. And no one can argue with that.

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  • joybird
    12 years ago

    I know a dentist who is also a musician.

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    • DeepCrimson
      12 years ago

      That is excellent. Thank you for the example! Does he or she actively pursue both careers, or is the music a private hobby?

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      • joybird
        12 years ago

        He's a locum dentist to finance his music.

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        • DeepCrimson
          12 years ago

          Cool. As long as he enjoys both and both work collaboratively, that's some multitasking.

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