Office Hand by Day; Rock Diva by Night

Jan. 10, 2009— -- Superheroes and super spies are famous for leading double lives. They're mild-mannered as can be by day, but when night falls, a whole new side comes out.

Job satisfaction is not necessarily first and foremost on people's minds these days. Unemployment is at its highest since 1993 and those with stable jobs are not eager to leave a steady paycheck to pursue their life's passion.

Dreams are easier to pursue when financial times are more certain.

But, you don't have to quit your day job to pursue a passion. Job satisfaction is not the primary reason to develop a passion outside of your career. Even if one is experiencing success there might be that lingering feeling of something missing.

Career expert Tory Johnson of Women for Hire, told "Good Morning America" that most people will say that they have a dream of doing something a little different. "They are worried that they've achieved such a level of success in their career and that success comes with a paycheck they can't afford to give up. So, a lot of times we're on this treadmill that we have to keep up with and continue to maintain and that often keeps us from pursuing our real passion."

Some people in the work force are striking a near-perfect balance.

Menesa Prichett is the interactive planning manager for Fineliving.com. "This work is really fulfilling for me because I get to be creative in brand new ways. While I love it, it is not 100 percent fulfilling because I have this musical side that has to come out."

To remedy the longing for a musical outlet, Pritchett found Kill Will, a hard rock band that needed a lead singer. Now she spends her time away from work playing music she loves. She'd never been in a band before but knew she could sing and wanted to belt out tunes by her favorite rocker idols, Chrissie Hynde and Stevie Nicks.

Just before the first time Pritchett hit the stage she felt butterflies in her stomach. Before she could chicken out she said, "Oh no. You are not going to get nervous. This is what you've always wanted to do. You need to shut up, and we're gonna go out there and have a good time." And that she has.

When someone is pursuing a passion and creating balance in their life they tend to have a little extra glow. Employers benefit from that balance. "Every employer wants someone who loves life, who's happy to wake up and face their day. So, if you can pursue something on the side, even if it has no connection to your day to day job it often means your employer gets someone who's a more successful, happier person," says Johnson.

Mark Branch, 39, an aerospace engineer for National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., loves his work. Branch spends his time on The Hubble Space Telescope during the day. After Branch leaves the confines of the laboratory in the evening, he becomes a new man.

"I'm DJ Scientific. World renowned hip-hop DJ. The guy who doesn't just have the title of a DJ, he's actually a DJ. Two turntables and a microphone, " say Branch. DJ'ing has been Branch's passion for 25 years and he's been with NASA for 17. Music is his first love and science is his second. He describes himself as 30 percent nerd and 70 percent cool.

Branch goes one step further by dedicating what's left of his busy schedule to mentoring kids. "I think they can relate to what I do when I tell them I'm a hip-hop DJ," said Branch. "Then, sometime while we're talking, it hits them: 'Wait a minute. This guy works at NASA. This guy is a scientist. He's a scientist who looks like me. Maybe I can be a scientist and a DJ.'"

Not all second jobs or alter egos have to bring home a paycheck. It is just as beneficial to put time into something that simply lights your fire. "Don't assume your passion has to pay for your lifestyle. Many times there is a lot to be said for pursuing your passion because it gives you that added spark, that added satisfaction in your life. Don't assume it is not worth it if you can't cash in big time, " advises Johnson.

Meghan Goldman is an art conservator at New York's Museum of Modern Art. She earned several degrees to become what she describes as, "the equivalent of a doctor for art." German expressionist prints are restored from centuries of wear and tear on Goldman's watch. The art restoration world is highly competitive; only 10 students are accepted in her graduate program per year and in her class there were only seven. Her work is quiet, precise, and serious.

Outside of the office, though, is anything but quiet, and precise. By night, Goldman transforms into Bluebonnet Plague. She's is part of the Gotham Girls Roller Derby and a member of Queens of Pain. Gotham Girls Roller Derby is New York City's only all female roller derby organization. They describe themselves as equal parts athlete, pin up girl, rocker and brute. These ladies pull no punches. The bouts are intense and performed in front of sold-out crowds.

"I have always been a very physical person and it is a team sport and the dress up really fascinated me. The performance part of it attracted me. I loved roller skating as a kid. It quickly turned into an addiction because it is extremely competitive and the social aspect is great. It speaks to both parts of my life, " says Bluebonnet Plague/Goldman. When asked if there is a difference between her daytime persona and Bluebonnet Plague, "I feel very integrated between Meghan and Bluebonnet Plague. It feels one in the same to me. Superheroes have a by-day by-night persona too. We're a little bit superhero maybe."

Some employees worry that their supervisors or colleagues won't approve of their outside pursuits. Career experts say though that no employer owns you 24/7. Unless your side job relates to your career, you are under no obligation to reveal your life outside of work. You should be fully aware of the terms of your employment agreement, but in many cases it is better to keep your moonlighting private. It is not appropriate to share all of the details of your free time with your colleagues and supervisors.