MySpace a place for friends

Please visit our NPO website: www.passionandprofession.com

Picture yourself that 18 yr-old High school senior or college freshman sitting at a school function staring at a stage loaded with a rock band's instruments. You think, 'OK, this is interesting.' In a few minutes, 3 mild mannered guys walk out dressed like the rock stars you see on MTV, VH1 and at concerts. Another thing you note is that they are all Asian, even more curious. They proceed to blister through an amazing set of songs you swear you've heard on the radio, or saw on TV. You sit there having an amazing time!

Then you see something you never expected. These same members proceed to step out from behind their instruments and walk towards 3 microphones and proceed to say: "Hi everyone, my name is Asif Khan, drummer for Johnny Hi-Fi, director for the non profit group Passion and Profession, and board certified medical doctor practicing as a specialist in the field of allergy and immunology. Hello, my name is Eric Hsu, singer and guitarist for Johnny Hi-Fi and co-founder and Chief Style Officer for the largest online B2B platform for the wine industry in the world. Hey everyone! My name is Justin Matsubara, bassist for Johnny Hi-Fi, and co-founder and chief technology officer for a software company. This is our story!

You sit there, mouth wide open, speechless! A doctor and 2 co-founders of multi-million dollar companies just rocked my school??? What is this???

This is Passion and Profession!

Passion and Profession is a non-profit (federal tax ID # pending), ethnic, cultural and professional identity-based workshop or panel designed to be a meeting of the minds, and a validation that through hard work, time management skills and desire, both passion and profession can be achieved. Passion and Profession is a concept conceived of and developed by Kashif Khan M.S.Ed., the current Coordinator of Asian American Student Services, Multicultural Center at The Ohio State University. The inaugural panel workshop/performance was made by and further developed by Asif Khan M.D., and inaugurated at the Ohio State University in 2004.

Students found solace in their advice and experiences. They answered questions on how to balance a life of passion and profession, as well as advised them on how to cope with being raised in a multicultural society.

The goals of this seminar are:

• To unite all communities
• Empowering participants to pursue any profession or desired goal.
• Providing Advice on career choices and balancing them with personal desires
• To promote leadership and address educational needs for the future
• Overcoming multi-cultural stereotypes confronted on a daily basis in various environments.
• Instilling confidence and motivation
• Enhancing and commenting on the roles that multi-ethnic communities will play in the next 15-20 years
• The benefits of a multi-cultural approach
• To assist and encourage participants to promote positive social change

This seminar is available to any person or organization that wishes to highlight these common issues faced by students. We can provide a positive and motivating example and outlet for students throughout America. To arrange a 'Passion and Profession' seminar at your university, please contact Dr. Khan at snares721@yahoo.com. The seminar also includes a 20-60 minute performance by Johnny Hi-Fi at the beginning or conclusion of the event.

Here are some of the comments we've heard:

"My name is Lisa Keung and I am VP of Fellowship for AAA at Case. I just wanted to say you guys were really great and I am so glad you guys came and shared your experiences with us. It was really important to hear what you guys said and I really loved your music. It's amazing and I really love hearing you guys. It's inspiring to hear your music because maybe one day I'll be able to do the same thing you, Eric, Justin, and Kim are doing. Thanks again for coming out to Case. I really want to hear you guys play again!" - Lisa Keung, VP for Fellowship for AAA at The Case Western Reserve University

"...Unbelievable live show, combined with a powerful seminar prior to the show aimed at students..." - KevAn Lin, President AA Students Assoc. (Ohio State University)

"…A treat to have them provide an example that you can do both passion and profession. We'll have them back." - Kashif Khan, Coordinator for Multicultural Affairs Office (Ohio State University)

"...We were blown away, and we have hope that it's possible to be a rock star and a doctor. Wha???" - Jon King, President Asian American Assoc. (College of Trenton, NJ)

Johnny Hi-Fi Asia Tour

Asif and Eric at MTV Studios