Career Dilemma: Do Grades Really Matter?

[Habib]

Hey AFers,

This is a question I have been pondering for so long now. For those of you who are successful now and working a good job, how much do university grades matter? I am asking because I work so hard in school for a high GPA that I could almost end up in a mental facility. I have heard so many stories from people. Many say that high grades matter and many say that it does not matter. Many say that previous experience, networking, and connections are more important than getting a high grade.

Do you guys know what is the real deal to getting a good job after you graduate from university? What have you seen so far from your experience: were university grades an emphasis or was it the previous experience, networking, and connections that mattered most?

Thanks.

[jdog]

Nobody will ask for your GPA. As long as you earn the degree, that's all that matters.

[Habib]

Do you know the reason then why so many students strive to get that 4.0 in school then? Because, honestly, a 2.5 will get a degree which is pretty easy.

[Drew]

Doing well in school is only mildly important to get to the next level. Doing well in high school is supposed to get you into a good college. Once you're in college, no one cares how you did in high school. Doing well in college is supposed to get you into a good post-college school (med school, law school, grad school, etc). Once you're there...no one cares where you went to highschool or college, and what your grades were at either place. Doing well in grad school is supposed to get you a good job, where no one will care about how you did in grad school once you get a job....from then it's all experience and who you know.

Basically...don't sweat it. Just be nice to people you meet, try to make some connections, and work hard at whatever you're doing for YOU....not for some teacher or university. In the grand scheme of things, each and every class, as far as what grades you get, are almost entirely irrelevant on their own....just try and get whatever you can out of them.

[deepdiver32073]

A lot depends on what you're studying, what job you're going to apply for, etc. But like the others have said, each step only gets you to the next one. For example, my major in college was Music/Drama (just liked the major), I got my Masters in Psychology/Counseling, my first career job was working in a large state run Mental Retardation institution. Now I work for a major bank. There's been no rhyme or reason as to my life's path career-wise; but it's been a hell of a lot of fun.

My advice would be to enjoy college to your fullest, make GREAT friends that'll be with you for life, make good connections with your professors, and when you graduate, find the job that best fits you and your personality. You may or may not make a ton of money, but you'll have a lot more enjoyment driving in to work every morning.

[Habib]

Hmm, this means that what you major in university does not entirely decide your career then? I mean, you majored in Music/Drama and right now you are working in a bank, how was that possible?

[shining2001uk]

I agree with a lot of the above.

re your question about grades vs connections etc. it's a combination of the two plus luck and timing.
knowing the right people in your field is very important for opportunities but in order to seize those opportunities you need assets, usually grades if you're a graduate.

grades are more important for certain careers. and although it's true that nobody cares about what grades you get in med school when you're a doctor - you cant get on the conveyor belt unless you have the grades.

my advice, would be to have balance. if you work crazy hard all the time, at some point you'll burn out, whether that's months or years. but at the same time it's a crime to throw away an education. enjoy college, you'll always be trying to get that time back...

[jdog]

Do you know the reason then why so many students strive to get that 4.0 in school then? Because, honestly, a 2.5 will get a degree which is pretty easy.

Because they did it in high school and cannot stop? Maybe they want that special cookie on their resume for being on the Dean's List?

[Habib]

I really hope it does matter at the end of the day. All my hard work, it would suck if my current 3.27 GPA does not play a major role in me getting a job when I graduate and get my BSc. in Geophysics degree. I have not been able to enjoy university much so far; it has been 80% studying and 20% enjoyment and that ratio ideally should be 60%:40%.

[Drew]

GPA is not an accurate indicator of what you learned/ know. That's why people don't really care that much about it. Hell, you could take all the easiest classes in the world and get 4.0, not try and not learn anything....but are you really the better man for the job than someone who took some hard classes, worked his ass off, and learned a ton, but ended up with a 3.25? And it's not like I'm bitter....I'm more in the first category, I've done minimal work, had a ton of fun, and aside from about 10 classes, totally blew it all off, and I have a 3.92 GPA. I also do a lot of my own learning, and find it much more effective than doing stupid school-mandated requirements, it's all about how you learn, and doing what works best for you.

I wouldn't recommend spending 80% of your time studying, this is a good time to have fun and enjoy not having a ton of responsibilities, but do whatever works for you.