In a response to Sir Alfred's blog entry, I mentioned that some of us like to think we have the best of both worlds by teaching and consulting or working and teaching-part time.  However, this does not get us as much mileage as we might like to think.  As a part-time teacher, you are second choice when we dole out teaching loads. The full-timers are always first.  As a consultant, it is rare to have the pleasure of implementation.  You advise.  You recommend.  And you let the people on the ground decide.

I'm one of the straddlers so I am aware of this first-hand.  I have been teaching for years now and I've been doing little projects on the side.  I noticed, though, that in recent years, my projects are more and more education-related.  Look at my current roster: My work with FIT-ED is directed at the Department of Education.  My work with the Ateneo Grade School is for the grade school kids (duh!). Though I did work with Price Waterhouse years ago, it's been years since I've actually done any corporate-type consulting.  If I were to apply there again, it's unlikely that I'll be hired back, not with my resume.

I think what's important is that you know your professional identity. Put another way, you have to know which side your bread is buttered. Are you a teacher?  Are you a corporate professional?  The extracurriculars are there as outlets for creativity, expression, for reality checks, for service, for further development in service of your principal identity.  We should just beware of the hubris of confusing the extracurriculars with that identity.