Today marks 2 years since I left a 19-year corporate career to pursue one in performing arts. One of those 2 years was spent studying at a world-renowned Conservatoire obtaining my Masters in Musical Theatre performance, so really, I'm only just in the first year of my new career.
I didn't leave the corporate world because I was unhappy. I was very fulfilled, I had purpose, I was in a great company, I had a great reputation in my company and in the industry and I was positioning myself to take on a global role and leap up the corporate ladder. At the same time, I had always been involved in amateur and semi-professional theatre since the early 90's as a singer, actor, producer, writer, arranger and dramaturg.
So what triggered the change? It was actually the realization that what I was doing in the corporate world and what I was doing in theatre ticked the same "life purpose" box: using my skill set to connect people to our shared humanity. So whether it was providing consultation to large MNCs on how to optimize their supply chains or editing a script, whether it was coaching the sales team in Australia how to identify a customer's needs or finding my spot and hitting the top note in a song, I was doing the same thing. Inside. Of course - from the outside, it looks incredibly different. But to me - intrinsically - it felt exactly the same.
Let me be clear - it has not been easy. And my ex-colleagues are the first to admit that most of them don't have an inkling of what it must feel like to walk in my shoes. But it also occured to me last night that I've always dreamed about being a performer. As a kid, that's what I wanted to be ever since I saw Les Miserables when I was 8. And now, I'm actually doing what I dreamed of doing as a kid.
I'm one of the lucky ones. But I also know that I've gone out, done the work and have earned it. I'm really proud of the fact that my life has dovetailed - what I do and who I am walk a parallel path.
I remember my first year of employment in 1997 and the publishing company I worked in as their Marketing Executive. If I could go back in time and tell him one thing, it would be to "trust the journey and trust that you're going to be just fine". 21 years later, the same advice still applies.
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My name is Eu Jin. I recently embarked on a career as a professional actor after 20 years in the corporate world. A big supporter of personal growth, I also dedicate time and energy in performing arts education, specifically in the arena of practical approaches to inner health because I believe that lays the groundwork for a sustainable career as an artiste. If you would like to find out more or share your thoughts, please leave me a message on the "Contact" page of my website. Thank you very much!