Does college GPA matter for future employment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When hiring I spend about two seconds looking at things like GPA, maybe another two seconds looking at what degree a person has. It might be a red flag for me if it’s low (say, below 3.0 or 3.2) but otherwise I’m not super focused on it. I’m hiring a person, not a resume or a transcript. And for people who have been out of school for a bit I really don’t care.

There are grads who list a sub 3.0? Even a 3.2 on a resume?? Idiots

The application systems often ask for GPA and sometimes ask for transcripts to be uploaded. So we have the info even if they don’t put it on their resume (but yeah, some do).

Some college don't even give GPAs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You want above a 3.5 to qualify for most places. People are severely underrating how difficult it is to gain experience.

Most places? No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Work on developing your peer and alumni network.

Doesn’t mean you should have a shit GPA, but if you are say finance it’s not that hard to be 3.5ish or higher.

However, the connections are far more valuable.

In finance it's all about going to the right feeder school (Dartmouth/Bucknell/Colgate/etc.) and making those alumni connections as early as possible. The Greek system and career services office will plug you into the network if you put yourself out there. And yes GPA matters, but a 3.5 well-networked extrovert will make bank over a 4.0 nose-in-the-book introvert.

Only low class people say "make bank."

[Anonymous]

Yes, for the first job. If gpa is 3.0 or higher list it. Kids seem to be told if it’s not 3.5 or up not to put on resume. But if I don’t see a gpa, I assume it is 2.9 or below.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When hiring I spend about two seconds looking at things like GPA, maybe another two seconds looking at what degree a person has. It might be a red flag for me if it’s low (say, below 3.0 or 3.2) but otherwise I’m not super focused on it. I’m hiring a person, not a resume or a transcript. And for people who have been out of school for a bit I really don’t care.

There are grads who list a sub 3.0? Even a 3.2 on a resume?? Idiots

The application systems often ask for GPA and sometimes ask for transcripts to be uploaded. So we have the info even if they don’t put it on their resume (but yeah, some do).

Some college don't even give GPAs.

Only 40 out of 4,000 colleges in America

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I graduated with a 2.7. Dragged it up from a .9. Yes, you read that correctly. I've been gainfully employed at one of the Big 3 in my industry for over 20 years - no one ever asked for my GPA.

Great, now open an intern application today, and try to complete it with no GPA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, and those who say otherwise are perpetuating a massive lie. Especially if you want a good internship to set you up for an elite career, you will need a high gpa. People will always say you need "experience." Well, that experience requires a good gpa to actually get the dang position.

Not really true. I had an actual job during college. I worked at a major bank and then VISA. I got into a prestigious training program out of college with a low GPA as I had actual work experience. Ironically you need a high GPA to get internships but not to be an employee at 18-20.

At work we just hired an EVP who is 34. Prior job was SVP. He has 16 years banking experience. He started work full time at 18 and did college at night. You dont need the internship if you already have the job.

No one will give and engineering student an engineering job to work at while they are in school. Even the non college degree jobs like working in a garage which could work for mechanical E maybe require some training.

Sure, you could work for a professor in a lab, but unless you really hit it off with them you will still have to apply for those jobs against people who have higher gas.

Huh? There are so many engineering internships at private companies that are for college students in the summer. There are ones near campus for year round parttime but thats not common, most have on campus research in the school year. My kid’s ivy just had a several workshop-days thing letting the engineers explore options. Almost all cutoffs are 3.0 for PAID positions. They mentioned there are resume building options on campus or away that are unpaid for those under 3.0 though they made it sound as though that is a very very rare GPA after sophomore year. These summer programs are for after sophomore or junior year. They are competitive but there are many to be found. The ivy sponsors funding for some of them , and has a history of sending multiple students due to an ongoing relationship. Others are fully in the private sector. Others are government paid positions. Some are abroad with funding. They are real Engineering jobs for 10-12 weeks and the pay is good for most.

Examples? There isn’t much guidance at DC’s school other than they “hear” no options until after junior year.

[Anonymous]

I think OP may have in mind top jobs in the competitive environment of the world today. Obviously most folks can find some type of job given whatever GPA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Freshman DC feels they are likely "average" in their class. Expecting a B+ ish grade in most courses. Big drop from GPA DC was used to HS -- but not surprising as the student body in college (Ivy) is generally high quality and competitive. Question for this group: Does this type fo GPA hold you back from strong job opportunities?

I've heard that some high-end employers go back as far as SAT scores.

[Anonymous]

I've been doing on-campus recruiting for many years and gpa absolutely matters in the sense that under 3.0 won't get any attention, and 3.5+ will be looked upon favorably. There are many other factors that are considered, and gpa is an important part of that assessment. Honestly, though, there are sometimes 100s of candidates for a couple of positions, so the ones who are seriously considered usually do fall within the upper band of gpa. I'd say gpa probably doesn't matter as much after your first internship and job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been doing on-campus recruiting for many years and gpa absolutely matters in the sense that under 3.0 won't get any attention, and 3.5+ will be looked upon favorably. There are many other factors that are considered, and gpa is an important part of that assessment. Honestly, though, there are sometimes 100s of candidates for a couple of positions, so the ones who are seriously considered usually do fall within the upper band of gpa. I'd say gpa probably doesn't matter as much after your first internship and job.

NP and I agree with this. It can matter for a very first internship or job. Once someone has real work experience anywhere, no one will care about a GPA. The experience and connections will be more important.