Cherish
How to pursue two unrelated careers
I am passionate about psychology and want to be a psychologist, but I'm also interested in surgical technology and I dont know how to pursue both of these as they aren't related at all. #psychology #career-path #careers #general #therapy #surgical-assisting
3 answers
Scott Turner
Scott’s Answer
Really cool question. These fields are not as disconnected as you might think. Psychology is the study of human behavior, you are interested in studying a very specific kind of behavior (using surgical instruments), among a very unique population (surgeons). Try looking into the study of human machine interaction. Definitely a lot of psychologists in the field. It might be dominated by computer interaction but that's the way of many new surgcial tools anyhow. Hope this helps.
thank you!
Cherish
Franny Buzimkich
Franny’s Answer
Yes, you can pursue two unrelated careers. In fact, there's a growing concept called a portfolio career, where someone intentionally combines multiple professional roles, skills, or income streams rather than relying on a single career.
Three Ways to Do It
1. One Primary Career + One Secondary Career
This is the most common approach.
Examples:
Pediatrician + Music Producer
Biochemist + Hair Color Specialist
HR Professional + Photographer
Teacher + Small Business Owner
One career provides steady income while the other develops gradually.
2. Seasonal or Sequential Careers
Some people focus on one career during certain periods and another at different times.
Examples:
School teacher during the school year and camp director in summer
Research scientist who writes books on the side
Consultant who teaches college courses
3. True Portfolio Career
This is when both careers actively exist at the same time.
Examples:
Part-time healthcare professional + freelance musician
Scientist + content creator
Engineer + business owner
A portfolio career is intentionally built around multiple roles, projects, or income sources.
How to Make It Work
✅ Choose one career as your "anchor."
Having one primary path provides stability while the second career grows.
✅ Look for complementary skills.
Even seemingly unrelated careers often share:
Communication
Leadership
Time management
Problem-solving
Business skills
✅ Protect your time.
One of the biggest challenges people report when combining careers is burnout. Setting boundaries and realistic expectations is critical.
✅ Gain qualifications gradually.
You don't need to pursue both at full speed simultaneously.
For example:
Major in Biochemistry.
Take music production courses as a hobby.
Later decide whether music should become a business or remain a passion.
For Someone Your Age
Based on your recent questions, you've explored:
Pediatrics
Medicine
Medical Technology
Biochemistry
Music Production
A practical plan might be:
Primary Path: Medicine, pediatrics, biochemistry, or healthcare
Secondary Path: Music production
You can absolutely become a healthcare professional while producing music. Many doctors, scientists, and healthcare workers have successful creative careers on the side.
A Truth Many Students Don't Hear
You do not have to choose your entire life at age 14 or 15.
Focus on:
Building strong skills.
Exploring interests.
Getting real-world experience.
Keeping options open.
Over time, you'll discover whether one interest becomes your career and the other remains a hobby, or whether both become part of your professional identity.
As one career-development resource notes, career growth doesn't always follow a single straight path. People often broaden expertise, pursue lateral opportunities, and build careers that align with multiple aspirations over time.
If I were advising a freshman interested in both medicine and music, I would say: keep both. Let science become your foundation and music remain part of your life while you learn more about yourself. Often the right balance becomes clear over the next few years.
Melissa Hall Greenwell, PharmD
Melissa Hall’s Answer
You could actual become a neurosurgeon. A psychiatrist treats people with mental illnesses with medication. A surgeon corrects physical illnesses of the brain with surgery . In both cases, you are a medical doctor and studying the coolest organ of them all, the human brain!
Melissa Hall recommends the following next steps: