A career in the entertainment industry is something many of us fantasize about. This is a dream you would hear kids and grown ups say they wish they had. Some would even leave school and their jobs in the hopes of establishing a bankable career in showbiz, or at least in today’s setting, the internet.

But there are still those who chose to clinch onto a diploma first before pursuing other careers. Moreover, there are a few who even pursued postgraduate studies before settling for showbiz stardom or reviving a paused career.

Their journey is definitely worth emulating. These personalities only showed that having an extensive educational background can be possible and still be a part of the entertainment industry.

Let’s take a look at celebrities who pursued further studies while establishing a successful showbiz career.

1. Maricar Reyes

Apart from being a top-notch actress, Maricar Reyes is also a licensed doctor of medicine. She earned her degree in medicine from the University of Santo Tomas, but life had a different plan for her.

In the past, the actress said that becoming a physician was not exactly her dream but her parents’. In one of her blog posts, she opened up about knowing how proud her parents are of her, but she also knew that her parents would have been happier if she were a full-time doctor.

Since she was a kid, she too knew that she would be a doctor someday, but she had a change of heart in the middle of medical school when she started earning on the side as a model and realized she wanted to do something else.

Now, she is an accomplished actress and a proud owner of a baking business.

2. Venus Raj

Miss Universe 2010 Fourth Runner-Up Venus Raj isn’t just a beauty queen and a television personality. She is also a believer of education, which is why it wasn’t all too surprising when she pursued further studies after college.

She did not stop at earning her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Bicol University in Legazpi, Albay in 2008. In 2017, she completed her master’s degree in Community Development at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

3. Boy Abunda

With his incredible gift of articulation, anyone would surely assume that King of Talk Boy Abunda has an extensive educational background that goes beyond a college diploma.

Abunda pursued Business Management at the Ateneo de Manila University but did not finish because of financial struggles caused by his father’s death. He eventually continued with his studies and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2009, Masters of Communication Arts in 2011 and a Doctor of Philosophy in social development in 2016 at the Philippine Women’s University.

4. Agot Isidro

Singer-actress Agot Isidro has a master’s degree in Communication from Ateneo de Manila University. Prior to that, the actress pursued Interior Design as her bachelor’s degree at the University of the Philippines – Diliman.

5. Rocco Nacino

Actor Rocco Nacino isn’t only a pretty face in showbiz. His hard work also showed when he worked his way to earn his masters degree in Nursing at St. Bernadette of Lourdes College.

What’s more, he also graduated summa cum laude.