After I watched Killer Joe last week, I was perusing interviews with William Friedkin (director) when a reporter’s question stuck out at me. I can’t remember which article it was or I would link it, but the gist of the question was whether Friedkin held Matthew McConaughey’s romantic comedy past against him. Seriously? The blatant snobbery of the question got me thinking.

It also sent me back to my first year in my theatre undergraduate program. Down in a basement classroom the professor asked for a show of hands for who wanted to do movies. I raised my hand. Solo. I was pretty surprised that no one else had the desire, or at least wasn’t admitting it. He asked me whose career I would like. “Meryl Streep.” I quickly replied, thinking that she at least had some major theatre cred. “Well, at least you didn’t say Jessica Alba.” The class laughed and we moved on. In another time (like now) I probably would have countered with a statement along the lines of “if I could, I would have her’s.” Because what is Jessica Alba doing that I’m aspiring to? Working. As. An. Actor.

Sometimes you’re going to take roles where you sell a car to a regional audience or (if you’re blessed with good genes and work out a lot) run around an exotic location in a bikini or maybe be Elf #7 in a children’s Christmas show. And that’s ok. I promise. Your career is up to you. The shape of it is no one’s business but your own. You get to decide if you’re going to take the Elf #7 job and get paid or pass.

Don’t let someone make you feel less than worthy as an actor for taking an acting job.

If it’s time to re-brand because you are unsatisfied with your career, say stopping romantic comedies and seeking grittier fare a la McConaughey, do it. If you’ve gotten to the point where you can make 89 minute romantic comedy space travel adventure movies for the rest of your life and want to do it, do it.

We’re going to have misfires now and then. Passion projects will turn out horrid and roles we hated may take us to previously unassailable career opportunities. Do what you do. You know whether you are willing to sell mops on a commercial or that you will never, ever do commercials. Either choice is a valid one. It’s your career, don’t apologize for it.

Here’s a little inspiration from Kacey Musgraves. Appropriately titled “Follow Your Arrow.”