Best Course of Action to Succeed.

Hey WSO. I'm currently working as a civil engineer, and have realized my salary cap is a bit lower than I thought it would be (approx. $120k, and that won't be for a while). I want to give my fairly specific background, and my current future action plan. I'm looking for any advice on whether my plan is reasonable, unreasonable, or any other tips for success. Here is my background:

-Graduated in 2014 with a Civil and Environmental Engineering degree from a high ranked state military school. 2.9 GPA (gpa is what I'm worried my biggest setback will be, although my last three semester were all above a 3.0). Involved in leadership positions and club sports. -Passed fundamentals of engineering exam, so I am an engineer in training. -After graduating, I spent almost 3 years in the Navy as an officer. Flew planes and did engineering. -Currently working as a civil engineer designing transmission lines. Company is about 400 people. I enjoy it, but I think I will hit the salary ceiling lower than I'd like. Long term goals are to vastly improve salary, and climb the management ladder as high as I can to senior VP, COO, or even CEO level at a larger company. I realize statistically that isn't likely, but I'm working my butt off here, and really want to form a plan to make this as achievable as possible.

Current Plan: -Learn everything I can at this company. Be the master of my craft. Start a Masters of Civil Engineering degree in the Fall, that my company will reimburse. Get a great GPA in order to somewhat offset my mediocre undergrad GPA. -After graduation, take the Professional Engineering Exam to become a licensed Professional Engineer. -Get involved with toastmasters at my work, get involved with the alumni association for my undergrad school. Maybe try to take a week stint to a poor country to help others. -Study for GMAT, do as well as I can to offset GPA. -Aim for a top 20 fulltime MBA program in the next 4-5 years. Hopefully Top 10. Dream school is Darden. Hoping the Masters and time from undergrad will help offset that GPA. -???? I'm not sure the specifics of what comes next. But I think this is the best plan of action to do well later on in life. Looking back, I wish I would have done things differently, but all I can do is make the right choices now.

3 Comments
 

pushing more quant training with a MEng won't really help you much to develop a MBA profile. I'd be more worried about your growth focus and leadership/team abilities instead of less important GPA matters.

 

So that 2.9 won't kill me for higher ranked schools? Yea, part of my job is working in teams and gaining more responsibility, so I think that part will be covered just from my job.

 

Dolore debitis nemo impedit aut. Quas adipisci ipsum cupiditate. Vero voluptates facere laboriosam quod reprehenderit. Rerum itaque perspiciatis quibusdam sed.

Neque sint necessitatibus repellat aliquid ipsum delectus unde. Perferendis voluptatem nemo dolores quibusdam fuga eligendi. Esse rerum odio tempora.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”