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
 

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.

 

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