Panteha Vaghedi

 Student, pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management

During the day, Panteha Vaghedi and her husband run their own company: CNS in Sterling, Va. They sell eye care-related products to eye doctors worldwide. Vaghedi’s career plan didn’t actually include eyewear or the vision industry, however. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from George Mason University and then attended medical school in the Caribbean. After realizing medical education would require extensive financial resources and consume virtually all her time, she realized she wouldn’t be able to continue her studies.

So she changed gears and landed a position at MCI. She worked at a few more information technology (IT) companies in project management and applied engineering capacity, including IBM.

Then Vaghedi began taking project management courses at George Washington University and decided to go for her master’s degree. She wanted to combine her IT expertise with a master’s program, but all the universities she researched only offered certificates, not degrees. And with two sons, now ages six and nine, she needed the flexibility of being able to work with her husband and take care of their sons, too.

American Public University offered her that flexibility, and she is now pursuing an MS in Environmental Policy and Management. “Since all the courses are online I really have the flexibility to work, take care of my kids and study when they go to bed at night,” says Vaghedi. “I was skeptical as to how much I would learn and pick up from online classes. But to my surprise, the syllabus and organization of the classes are such that we learn a great deal from the teacher and each other. I am really happy that I gave it a try.”

Accepting the responsibility of becoming a student — in addition to continuing as a business owner and full-time mother — is made easier in part, says Vaghedi, because of the options APU offers. Those options included online communities, flexibility, and more. She was also pleased to realize there aren’t “set” class times, as in bricks and mortar universities, allowing her more quality time with her family.

“Because we have one week for each assignment, I spend only a few hours a day to complete each one,” says Vaghedi. “I usually do my reading when my kids have extra curricular activities and do PC-related stuff after they go to bed.”

So, after going to medical school and working in IT, why did she decide to switch paths again?
“I was always interested in the environment and after I had my kids, I realized that we are not leaving a good future for them,” she says. “So I thought the least I can do is become educated in this area and at least educate the people around me.”

Vaghedi says she especially wants her kids to learn and care about the environment. “I try to teach them everything that I’m learning, too. I think it’s important to make a difference and we can start by teaching our children. I especially want my kids to learn and care.”

When she finishes her degree, Vaghedi wants to work for the Environmental Protection Agency in a policy-making capacity.

Fast Facts:

Residence: Northern Virginia
Occupation: Business owner
Degree path: MS in Environmental Policy Management
Career goal: Work for the Environmental Protection Agency in a policy-making capacity