I just went thru ban's blog and all i can say is you don't try, you will never know.
One sided or both ways? You have to ask. I've asked and got my answer.
Priority? So first thing first. First Study. Second Career. Third?
When will you have time to fully concentrate once you start working?
Career will never be a part time, once you are in it, you are in it...
So you intend to get married to your job?
You'll never get your answer by spectaculating and thinking and discussing with your friends.
They gave opinions, they gave stories of past failures, they don't give you your future.
So what it might work , so what it might not work?
You try, you know; you have no regrets.
You don't try, you don't know; you keep thinking about the past.