Is it possible to get your PhD in Engineering while working full time outside of academia? I work in consulting engineering and am working on my Master's degree through night classes. I still have two years left to finish the MS degree, but I'm curious as to what my options will be in a few years. I'm already accustomed to doing both school and work at the same time, so I would be interested in continuing on for my PhD if it could be done through night classes the same way the MS program is. Is this possible?
My understanding is that when you get your PhD it is generally full time alongside a research job with pretty crappy pay. It is also, however, my understanding that this research is an important part of the PhD program so unlike the Master's program there is normally not a "take classes only" option for the PhD. I'd be interested in doing some research, but I don't really want to trade my good-paying job for a low-paying full time research assistant position.
My long term plan would be to continue working in consulting after getting my PhD for a few years, and then take a teaching job at a university. I would expect the PhD to take a long time doing it this way, so it would kind of be like planning ahead for an eventual change in careers from consulting, which is a good job for a young professional, to academia, which is a good place to work up to retirement age.