All you engineers, next step questions

Salve
Wed, 03 Jul 2013 09:41:08 +0000

Hi all,

So I’m in a dilemma and was wondering if some people could give input. Currently, I’m finishing a co-terminal degree program earning my Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering and a Professional Master’s of Environmental Engineering. I was a year ahead, and could finish this program in four years so figured I should do it (and it’s all paid for). Anyway, I’ve wanted to join the Peace Corps afterwards, but I also want to get a PhD. The peace corps has a master’s international program where you go to college for a year and serve for the two years. Now, I’m trying to decide on what would complement the degrees I have. I ultimately want to work in third world development, specifically water treatment and environmental concerns. What I’m considering now is getting an Environmental Studies degree as part of this program so that I can get a better feel for policy which will be a big part of any environmental engineers job… and then I was looking at a PhD program in Environmental Engineering and Science from Stanford, I mean if I get in (there is a professor there that deals a lot with third world development concerns that I would love to work with).

Does this seem like a logical approach? Far-fetched? Not worth it? I want to at one point be a teacher/professor, and for that a PhD is almost necessary… so that’s why I can’t exactly avoid that step. And quite honestly, I’m not concerned with “not making money” for the number of years I’d be in the program… I mean, I will eventually so might as well make the most of this time.

Thanks all!