Careful preparation for next steps in career

As my graduate study culminates into its finale, I am spending quite a time to think on my next career steps.

My childhood dream is being professor in university, which now becomes fairly realistic career option with relatively low uncertainty. However, for this career, it turns out to be a much tricker question than my naive childhood dream. Being professor is one thing, but professor of what university is more important in practice. While changing post is more and more common in academia, the first choice is typically irreversible. So, I may need to be patient until I get what I can get best. 

In parallel, as an engineer, it is highly tempting to translate my technologies into practical stuffs - or more tangibly speaking, money making company or business. I invented many things along with many academic papers, but not many of them have potential for translation. But, if I am lucky enough, I may get one or two technology that worthy of trying. Really not sure about this option yet, but it is worthy of thinking, particularly because academic career as young faculty is not financially rewarding choice.

In the field, it has been common sense that people have to choose one of career option but not both. However, many recent examples shows that careful career plan may enable to grab both options in highly successful manner. As like always, future will unfold as it becomes reality. Excitements and worries are both dancing inside my mind. But, maybe, this is joy of life.