Passion and Profession

The concept arose after a students coordinator at a major university discovered there was a significant number of students who shared similar internal struggles about their future. Students were conflicted by trying to satisfy the desires of their parents to be in a successful and traditional profession rather than pursue their underlying passion. "Should I become a doctor or a rock star?" - they might ask. Or can one do both?

Yes, both can be achieved. Asif Khan M.D. is a practicing physician in the field of Allergy and Immunology and contributing writer to Modern Drummer magazine. Eric Hsu is the Chief Strategic Officer and founding member of an extremely profitable internet venture. Both balance a professional job while pursuing their underlying passion in music, in a band called Johnny Hi-Fi.

Against their underlying desires, they were each advised and pushed by their parents to pursue a well-respected and financially secure profession. They experienced many stereotypical difficulties faced by young adults in Asian-American households. Through perseverance, they achieved professional success. While their full time jobs are time-consuming and intense, this has not discouraged them to pursue their rock star dreams. In fact, they both recognize that their jobs aid in their musical quest.

Thus, Passion and Profession, the workshop, was born. They share their experience of growing up in a bicultural environment to students at universities and colleges, and to corporations across the U.S. with responsibility, direction and resolve. Attendees found solace in their advice, experiences, and motivation. Asif and Eric answered questions on how to balance a life of passion and profession, as well as how they coped with being raised in a multicultural society.

The goals of this non-profit seminar are to:

• Unite all communities
• Empower participants to pursue any profession or desired goal
• Provide advice on career choices and balancing them with personal desires
• Promote leadership and address educational needs for the future
• Help highlight and tackle the alarming drop-out rate of students as documented by Time Magazine (click here for link)
• Overcome multicultural stereotypes confronted on a daily basis in various environments
• Instill confidence and motivation
• Enhance and comment on the roles that multi-ethnic communities will play in the next 15-20 years
• Illustrate the benefits of a multicultural approach
• Assist and encourage participants to promote positive social change

Passion and Profession is a NACA Associated, new, 501(c)(3) non-profit, ethnic, cultural and professional identity-based motivational speaking workshop or panel designed to be a meeting of the minds. By validation through hard work, time management skills and desire, both passion and profession can be achieved. Passion and Profession is a concept co-conceived of and co-developed by Kashif Khan M.S.Ed., the current Coordinator of Asian American Student Services, Multicultural Center at The Ohio State University. The event was made by and further developed by Kashif's brother, Asif Khan M.D., and inaugurated at the Ohio State University in 2004.

This motivational speaking corporate or college seminar is available to any person or organization that wishes to highlight these common issues. We can provide a positive and motivating example and outlet to promote these pursuits throughout the world. To arrange a 'Passion and Profession' seminar at your institution, please contact Dr. Khan. The seminar also includes a 20-60 minute performance at the beginning or conclusion of the event.