Does University's GPA Matter in Getting a Good Job?

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  ef on 20/10/2016 - 14:23

  +3

  The GPA only matters if you are going for graduate positions, research or post grad studies. If you just go for a normal position no one looks at your GPA, they look at your experience and qualification.

  • 

    Bigbabo on 20/10/2016 - 14:25

    I am going to apply for a graduate position after finishing my degree.

    • 

      trustnoone on 20/10/2016 - 14:53

      +4

      From what I've seen:
      Research jobs: Yes they basically only look at your GPA and subjects
      Graduate Positions: Most have a minimum cut off like credit average or distinction average or >70 (a lot prefer that you have volunteer work or a job at the same time as uni showing task management and multitasking).
      Normal jobs: Care most about experience and less with your GPA (they mostly care that you passed it all)

      Of course this can change with different companies but I've notices this to be fairly norm.

      • 

        Kangal on 20/10/2016 - 17:07

        I second this.

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  ef on 20/10/2016 - 14:34

  +2

  If you are going for official graduate position(not just a junior role suitable for graduates) then get as higher GPA as possible. All graduate positions through company graduate programs I have seen will ask for your GPA and often the transcript to see what subjects you did. I did a masters degree but I was only a passing student. The graduate programs I looked at you need minimum of credit average.

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  mshanann on 20/10/2016 - 14:38

  +3

  As an employer looking for graduates, I'd wipe anyone with an overall GPA that doesn't reach 5.

  I want to see candidates that in the business end of their degrees (3rd year / 4th year subjects) get excellent grades (6/7) in subjects of most relevance to the job.

  It is pretty difficult for a kid coming straight out of high school with the new found freedom of being an adult to have the discipline to achieve academic excellence in that first year of uni. If you take it too easy though, it can come back to bite you with the overall GPA.

  I'd happily interview a person whom goes from 5's in first year, to 6s/7s at the end of the degree. Such a candidate maybe more likeable and better fit for the team, compared to someone whom got consistent 6s/7s.

  What I don't want to see is someone whom's grades slip as the degree goes on.

  • 

    Bigbabo on 20/10/2016 - 14:44

    Thats great information that also motivates me. thank you

    • 

      goodcopbadcop on 21/10/2016 - 14:13

      GPA's are used by academia to determine intellect for that qualification and will count towards ranking you for higher level quals or research. they are often used to cull graduates at the initial stages for graduate programs. Companies who do this only want the cream of the crop but it is just as competitive for employers because those with higher GPS's will select the company that pays the most, offers the best planned and organised Graduate Program with a few perks and has a name in the industry, or completing the Graduate Program means that you have completed the white collar "apprenticeship" and will get promotions much faster. But if you aren't planning on any of the above - then it is the qualification that is important for a job. Without a doubt - if you have a great attitude to do your very best and a bright positive personality to match it - you will be snaffled up before anyone who has achieved 7's all the way through uni and present at an interview like a wet boring blanket.

  • 

    mskeggs on 20/10/2016 - 18:34

    This is very surprising to me.
    When I hire people (admittedly not usually new grads) I look for people who have a good attitude and will fit in well with my workplace culture as the main focus.
    Secondly I look for people that have relevant experience.
    Academic awards and things might get a tiny bit of notice. I have never looked for grades. I figure if you were academically gifted you will have awards or advanced degrees, and who cares if you got a 5 or a 4.5? (apparently, some do!)

    • 

      mshanann on 20/10/2016 - 19:03

      +1

      I'm talking about the hiring of 21/22 year old undergraduates completing a bachelor degree in to graduate programs for tier 1 organizations.

      Someone getting just 4s and 5s for their final years of university to me would not at first glance appear to be stand-out candidate material.

      If they are a mature student and juggling a full-time job or responsibility with university studies, then that may be slightly factored in.

      Realistically though if you are trying to land a job in a competitive graduate program, you want people that both will fit in to the company culture, whilst also having excelled at the university subjects most relevant for the job.

      The University and quality of program would also be considered.

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  ThadtheChad on 20/10/2016 - 15:21

  +8

  It only matters for wrangling the first job. After that, the uni degree just becomes a small line item in your resume. An employer can actually assess the worth of the individual based on experience and skill-set; rather than relying on artificial benchmarks (like the GPA). :)

  I got an HD average during my Master's degree. I worked hard during Uni and got good marks (also networked well). Got my first job at a big 4 bank for an okay-ish salary. Things got better from there, have heaps to time to pursue hobbies, work 9-5, actually have an interesting job (which is awesome), get paid very well, and have excellent colleagues.

  I do not regret busting my ass at Uni. So my advice to you would be to do the very best you're capable of. It's only for a short few years. After that, you will reap the rewards of the effort you've put in. :)

  ==============
  As someone working in a domain where out of the box thinking, and ability to pick up things quickly is most valued, I would not shy away from hiring folks with lower GPAs but display the right traits (interest in breaking things apart to see how they work, enthusiasm, sharp intellect, good communication skills).

  • 

    Bigbabo on 20/10/2016 - 15:29

    Thanks for sharing. Guess I should not complain anymore.

    • 

      ThadtheChad on 20/10/2016 - 15:34

      +1

      Things get better. :) Hang in there.

      You can always enjoy yourself later, while you also have the financial wherewithal to have an absolute blast. I would also recommend not going full-tunnelvision and focusing exclusively on academics. Have breaks where you can wind down, burn-out is an absolute nightmare to recover from.

      If you can, start networking with people in your domain and start getting opinions and feedback on the industry (and recommendations on how to start off).

      • 

        Bigbabo on 20/10/2016 - 15:40

        Do you mean that networking with my friends at uni or with people actually working in the industry. If so what is the way that you did to expand your network? thanks

      • 

        blackmanshade on 20/10/2016 - 16:19

        +3

        I believe he's referring to people in the actual industry. (Once you graduate uni, i doubt you'll be seeing those friends on the reg). Also,what he means is to get your foot in the door now so you have a feel for what you're in for. As such, I'd highly recommend applying for internships or work experience opportunities especially in your final years at uni. (not sure if its a pre-requisite) as this will help bridge the transition from under-grad to a successful career. As a fellow/EX UWS sorry WSU under-grad, use UWSCareers. Great opportunities especially in your field (PAID)
        And back to OP qn… a balance of experience and above credit GPA can be beneficial.
        P.s. Sign Up to LinkedIn and build you connections and don't let that GPA drop.

      • 

        Bigbabo on 20/10/2016 - 18:56

        @blackmanshade: I am planning to apply for a volunteer position in a podiatry clinic to gain experiences. I find its hard to find a position in my health field as they all require a degree.

      • 

        ThadtheChad on 20/10/2016 - 22:56

        @Bigbabo:

        Definitely worthwhile doing volunteer work to get a bit of experience in the field. Sets you apart from the rest by demonstrating that you're actually keen and have the will to get started in the field. :)

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  Ughhh on 20/10/2016 - 18:17

  I realize I have been spending so much times on uni and wasting my youth life. Yes, I do understand that hard work will pay off.
  — But, it does put a lot of stress and pressure on myself till the point that I cant enjoy my life anymore.

  Do you plan on being a student for the rest of your life? If not, you realise it's only a year or two left of hard work and no life- a pretty short period of 'suffering' time compared to the happy free life this pain may lead you to.

  • 

    Bigbabo on 20/10/2016 - 18:53

    Well, its true that im not gonna stay in uni for my whole life. However, instead of pushing myself into stressful and pressure study life and wasting of my youth life, I could spend that time to figure my true self and doing what I like beside my study. but yeah thanks for another idea.

    • 

      matrix83 on 21/10/2016 - 07:53

      Why not do both? Grind at uni and grind at figuring out your true self. Uni is not 24/7/365. Also, I am not sure what degree you are doing, but having done two, they both started out difficult (to cull the pretenders) and finished relatively easily.

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  mskeggs on 20/10/2016 - 18:41

  Not to be rude, but people who are interested in comparing the 'worth' of different students GPAs and things will be much more concerned by your degree from WSU than your GPA.
  It is a bit like saying you are putting rims on the Camry to impress the gear-heads.
  Yes, rims are better than no rims, but a slightly higher GPA from WSU is not impressing these people like a UNSW/USYD/UTS qualification will.

  I don't say this because I think they are right (my partner is a WSU graduate) but the idea of worrying about GPA when you have this institutional snobbery to contend with seems a bit of a waste of time!

  • 

    Bigbabo on 20/10/2016 - 18:55

    While I could not agree with you more, I do feel like there is always a gap in degree between uni. There are also some graduates that cant find a job after finishing their degree eventho they achieved a really good academic grade.

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  [Deactivated] on 20/10/2016 - 21:51

  +1

  I make hiring decisions in a different field (accounting). I've never asked a candidate for their transcript or GPA, I focus on their experience and communication skills and will throw technical and behaviourally based questions into interviews.

  High marks tell me you're good at studying but that doesn't necessarily make you a capable worker or team player, if all you did in uni was study I'd worry you live in a bubble and lack initiative to differentiate yourself from everyone else.

  And to be honest the usefulness of my degree even from a top Go8 uni to prepare me for the real world was limited, maybe it has changed since my time.

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  gjk on 21/10/2016 - 08:44

  I think a lot of employers are looking for well-rounded people. If you have a lower GPA, but you have other things such as volunteering, leadership experience etc, that explain you are juggling a few different commitments, then this would be a plus. Companies want dedicated, team players who can balance different tasks. I want to know about employee backgrounds eg that they have done more than just school/uni and partying.