Dirk began working in film and television while he was still in high school and didn't look back until the early 2000's when he took some time off from his career and fulfilled a long held promise to his father to obtain his college degree. His dad, who passed away when Dirk was 14, valued an education, and often counseled Dirk as he grew up to, "do what you want with your life, but get a liberal arts education no matter what else you do." Dirk took a few acting jobs during this period when his academic studies allowed, but didn't actively pursue a return to work until he obtained his degree in Liberal Arts at Antioch University 2010.