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I want to be a software engineer but I also have an interest in acting, how could I manage both?
I'm still not 100% sure if software engineering #computer-engineering #software is the career path I would stick with.
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Brayden’s Answer
Hello!
Having a diverse set of interests is good because it allows you to get away from the daily grind of life. In todays market software engineers are in high demand so if this is truly an interest of yours pursuing that further would be a great option. Whats great about something like acting is that its activity that you can easily be done on the side and you can still fill that desire. Acting is a tough industry and it takes many years until you are getting enough roles to make some serious money. If I were you I would first choose software engineering as my profession and then do acting on the side and as you continue to act and gain more traction its something you could always transfer over to and then always have the engineering degree to fall back on.
Good luck!
Having a diverse set of interests is good because it allows you to get away from the daily grind of life. In todays market software engineers are in high demand so if this is truly an interest of yours pursuing that further would be a great option. Whats great about something like acting is that its activity that you can easily be done on the side and you can still fill that desire. Acting is a tough industry and it takes many years until you are getting enough roles to make some serious money. If I were you I would first choose software engineering as my profession and then do acting on the side and as you continue to act and gain more traction its something you could always transfer over to and then always have the engineering degree to fall back on.
Good luck!
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Chiranjib’s Answer
It's good to have diverse interests. It takes away the boredom. At the same time, one needs to be realistic. In terms of money, both professions can fetch you quite a handsome amount, but you have to be really good.
Personally, I feel, making a mark as an actor may be a tougher ask, as there is no defined career path for becoming an actor. Of course, you can join a drama school, learn to act really well, give lots of auditions, act on the stage, in plays. But be prepared for a really hard grind. Worse of all, even if you are really good at it, the industry has ample stories of nepotism and that might make it more difficult.
In contrast, making a career in the software industry would be relatively easier. There are well-defined career paths, lots of sources to learn from - both free and paid, lots of options in terms of organizations that are ready to pay you well if you are good at it. And if you do not like an organization, you can switch to a different one as well. Options are endless.
So, if I were you, I would prefer to have software engineering as a career, but I would not bury my knack for acting. I would pursue it as a hobby and maybe, over the weekends, try it on a stage. Now, with time if you get famous, if people start paying enough to watch you act, if you get to know a big Hollywood director, who tells you, "You are my man! ", then sure, do the switch!
If not, no worries, have it as a hobby as you continue to get a paycheck every month from your software firm.
Personally, I feel, making a mark as an actor may be a tougher ask, as there is no defined career path for becoming an actor. Of course, you can join a drama school, learn to act really well, give lots of auditions, act on the stage, in plays. But be prepared for a really hard grind. Worse of all, even if you are really good at it, the industry has ample stories of nepotism and that might make it more difficult.
In contrast, making a career in the software industry would be relatively easier. There are well-defined career paths, lots of sources to learn from - both free and paid, lots of options in terms of organizations that are ready to pay you well if you are good at it. And if you do not like an organization, you can switch to a different one as well. Options are endless.
So, if I were you, I would prefer to have software engineering as a career, but I would not bury my knack for acting. I would pursue it as a hobby and maybe, over the weekends, try it on a stage. Now, with time if you get famous, if people start paying enough to watch you act, if you get to know a big Hollywood director, who tells you, "You are my man! ", then sure, do the switch!
If not, no worries, have it as a hobby as you continue to get a paycheck every month from your software firm.
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Preneeta’s Answer
Make sure where your priorities lie and whilst doing that find sufficient time for both ensuring all the while that you are willing to compromise as may be required. Good luck with all that you end up doing.
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Matthew’s Answer
Explore both!
A great friend of mine got his computer science degree while running an improv troupe and acting in productions... the fields are not mutually exclusive. I recently had a training session with a person in New York that worked a 9-5 at a big finance firm and acted in off Broadway on the side.
Explore what is important to you (maybe enjoyment of work, compensation, work/life balance, job security, meaningfulness of work or something else), and examine how it applies to the different fields of interest you have.
I will saying that being a skilled software engineer with strong soft skills is a valuable skillset that can transition to many different roles (management, training, software architecture, etc.) so also consider what you want your career trajectory to look like (or if that matters or not to you!). Best of luck!
A great friend of mine got his computer science degree while running an improv troupe and acting in productions... the fields are not mutually exclusive. I recently had a training session with a person in New York that worked a 9-5 at a big finance firm and acted in off Broadway on the side.
Explore what is important to you (maybe enjoyment of work, compensation, work/life balance, job security, meaningfulness of work or something else), and examine how it applies to the different fields of interest you have.
I will saying that being a skilled software engineer with strong soft skills is a valuable skillset that can transition to many different roles (management, training, software architecture, etc.) so also consider what you want your career trajectory to look like (or if that matters or not to you!). Best of luck!
Updated
Shisha’s Answer
You can invest 9 hours by default to your engineering profession but there are so many hours left in a day and you'll be free on weekends. You could join any theater and keep hustling. If you feel, acting is worth more than your part time then you can take it up full time when you have built up good connections and a future in it. All the best.
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Patty’s Answer
Great question. Every industry needs software engineers including the entertainment industry. You can combine both but you need the basics of both too. Act but manage the actors via software. Act but manage the production via software. Act but manage the finaces via software. And so on....
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Blaine’s Answer
If you’re equally passionate about both I would stick with software / engineering. Your chances for a good job will be much higher. Perhaps you could still consider acting in community productions as a hobby. If you get opportunities to audition for a paying role, see where that takes you.