As I've always noted, it's important to have role models. We need people to look up to, to be like, to remind us of what we can do, and to give us ideas of how to be better than we are. We're social animals, we humans, and we work well with other people as references.
One of the great things about being a fanboy, fangirl, geek, otaku, etc. is that we usually have a lot of great role models and access to them. Media fans have the actors, writers, editors, and so on to look up to. Game fans have the programmers and producers to learn from. Comic geeks have artists and writers and publishers. When your geekery and your professional ambitions come together, you find yourself surrounded by people you can – and may want to – be like.
There is one thing you have to keep in mind however: You're never going to be successful like your role models.