When I was seven, my hometown, Wuxi, faced a crisis of blue-green algal blooms. This environmental issue sparked my curiosity about the mechanisms behind such crises. However, it wasn’t until I entered Duke Kunshan University (DKU) as an undergraduate, that I discovered environmental science as a field of study.
As a liberal arts college, DKU didn’t offer traditional engineering programs, but we could declare our majors by the end of sophomore year. While this flexibility seemed appealing, it was stressful balancing personal interests, academic strengths, and future career prospects simultaneously. To make my decision, I explored various classes and gradually eliminated the potential majors from my list. Environmental science stayed on my list the longest because I was passionate about the subject. Still, I doubted myself, as my chemistry and biology background was weaker than that of my classmates. Many of my close friends turned to more “popular” majors, such as data science and applied math, including one friend who was a dedicated environmentalist. For a brief moment, I wondered if I should follow the trend among peers. However, after struggling with coding assignments, and realizing I didn’t enjoy spending hours debugging code, I knew that a career in programming wasn’t the right fit for me.
Ultimately, I stayed true to my interest in the environmental field. As I delved deeper into the field, my passion grew. Upon graduation, I realized that while environmental science was fascinating, it was too broad and interdisciplinary for me. I didn’t feel I had developed enough specialized expertise to stand out in the job market. Thus, I looked for master’s programs that offered more practical training—particularly in environmental engineering, which would allow me to build expertise in a specific area. In 2022, I was fortunate to join Stanford’s environmental engineering master’s program. There, I gained experience in water-related research and process engineering. At the same time, I got an opportunity to intern at a wastewater treatment plant, where I received hands-on training and firsthand insight into the challenges and solutions within the field. During my second year, I faced another crossroads: Should I enter the job market or continue my studies by pursuing a PhD? My first year made me develop a deep interest in wastewater treatment, and I recognized that I wanted to explore this field further. With that in mind, I chose to continue my academic journey.
Looking back over the past six years, I’m amazed at how my academic path has unfolded. As an undergraduate, I never imagined applying for a PhD program, let alone focusing on wastewater treatment. Although I didn’t always have a clear direction of what I wanted to pursue, those years helped me discover my academic passions. The guidance and encouragement from professors, mentors, and friends played a huge role in shaping my journey. I feel incredibly fortunate to have met so many open-minded people who were willing to offer their support and advice along the way.
To conclude, I want to share a few lessons I’ve learned throughout my journey as a PhD student:
- A clear career path isn’t always necessary, and it’s okay to change direction as you learn.
- Don’t waste time wondering “what if.” Trust that you’re making the right decisions for your future.
- Don’t hesitate to talk to senior people and peers. Their diverse perspectives can help you form a more well-rounded understanding of your options and potential career paths.
Written by: Yiyao Wei
Yiyao is a first-year PhD student at Stanford University, focusing on anaerobic digestion and anaerobic wastewater treatment. She holds a BS degree in Environmental Science/Chemistry from Duke Kunshan University and an MS degree in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University.
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