Grades in college

[11134111]

Originally Posted by The Madbacker

I now a lot of people think I'm a douche but I'm going to give you some frank advice here. It's WHO you know not WHAT you know. You can get all A's and end up waiting tables. You can get all C's, know someone, and start out at 60K per year. If I had a kid, I wouldn't be busted up if they just wanted to start working and move up. Those 4-6 years you spend in college (and the tons of cash) are wasted. You could've had 4-6 of experience and "moving up" in that time.

C's get degrees. Unless you're in some technical, specialized field, most employers won't care how you got it, just that you got it.

And I have a 4 year degree in Marketing, Advertising and PR from Towson University in Maryland.

TRUE TRUE TRUE

[Cisco69]

Originally Posted by The Madbacker

I now a lot of people think I'm a douche but I'm going to give you some frank advice here. It's WHO you know not WHAT you know. You can get all A's and end up waiting tables. You can get all C's, know someone, and start out at 60K per year. If I had a kid, I wouldn't be busted up if they just wanted to start working and move up. Those 4-6 years you spend in college (and the tons of cash) are wasted. You could've had 4-6 of experience and "moving up" in that time.

C's get degrees. Unless you're in some technical, specialized field, most employers won't care how you got it, just that you got it.

And I have a 4 year degree in Marketing, Advertising and PR from Towson University in Maryland.

Somewhat true. If your referring to a BS or BA I would agree, but after that each degree get will be well worth the time put in, meaning the grades will pay off come time for applying for graduate school. GL getting into one with anything lower than a 3.0, it is all up to what you want to do. I know many people like myself who obtain an education with working full time, hence getting the best of both worlds. I don't know many people making close to 100k without some degree unless your born into cash. As far as who you know, it is actually more of who knows you, people tend to forget that.

To the OP, just a heads up a Masters has now become the standard at which most middle class jobs are required to have. I look for employment all the time for fun and 80% require some sort of post graduate work. Just to put it in terms of numbers I work for the Department of Homeland Security, and since I have a Masters I automatically get roughly 20k more for my position than someone who has just a BA/BS.

[frozenntimesports]

Originally Posted by Whodatiz

Should you strive to make all A's? Gosh no! What kind of dumb question is that?

Four point f--king oh is your target. Your mission is to be better than everyone else in your field, got it?

Originally Posted by 11134111

3.5 thats might be a little hard...I am getting at least B's for first semester ..and I am majoring in computer science BTW thanks for your advice

3.5 as a freshman is not hard, it will never be easier. Suck it up cupcake, its time to work now.

[Whodatiz]

You know I was being sarcastic right?

Originally Posted by KaraandMelliesDaddy

Four point f--king oh is your target. Your mission is to be better than everyone else in your field, got it?




3.5 as a freshman is not hard, it will never be easier. Suck it up cupcake, its time to work now.

[Whodatiz]

On a more serious note though...to the OP, go to career fairs any chance you get. It's basically obtaining an interview without having to apply for a job. I can't stress that enough. It's also a great way to network as well and an opportunity to improve those communication skills.

[37Jetson]

Simply not true. Many companies screen for lucrative internships and first jobs primarily on Grade Point Average. It is not the only criteria, but in this job market it is bad advice to tell a college kid that grades do not matter. When that kid graduates nobody is going to be waiting to give him a trophy. It will be time to enter the competitive world of job seeking. We make our own opportunities in life if that is the attitude that we choose.

Personally when I am recruiting for employees I am not all that concerned about GPA because job experience and personal drive are the two things that I seek.

Originally Posted by Cisco69

You will never be asked your GPA for a job. The only real reason to keep your good grades is 1) you insurance rates are lower, it is called a "good student" discount" something like that, most insurances have that. 2) If you plan on staying in academia. For me I'm currently appling for PhD programs and they really go off your GPA and GRE scores. So it's up to you. I would say as long as you can stay above a 3.0 you'll be fine. 3.8 - 4.0 are typically the people who miss out on the fun during college.

[frozenntimesports]

Originally Posted by Whodatiz

You know I was being sarcastic right?

I got a C in Sarcasm at SMS. Sorry about that.

[Whodatiz]

Hey, no problem. It happens.

Originally Posted by KaraandMelliesDaddy

I got a C in Sarcasm at SMS. Sorry about that.

[friarbolt]

Originally Posted by The Madbacker

I now a lot of people think I'm a douche but I'm going to give you some frank advice here. It's WHO you know not WHAT you know. You can get all A's and end up waiting tables. You can get all C's, know someone, and start out at 60K per year. If I had a kid, I wouldn't be busted up if they just wanted to start working and move up. Those 4-6 years you spend in college (and the tons of cash) are wasted. You could've had 4-6 of experience and "moving up" in that time.

C's get degrees. Unless you're in some technical, specialized field, most employers won't care how you got it, just that you got it.

And I have a 4 year degree in Marketing, Advertising and PR from Towson University in Maryland.

Fantastic advice, absolutely fantastic. Oh man the stories I could tell you guys. We often had guest speakers in graduate school who came from our program, it seemed more got lucky than actually earned their careers. One guy got his start when he ran into an old high school friend at Starbucks who happened to work at ESPN and got him in.

All the money and grades in the world can't buy that kind of opportunity. Network, talk to anyone and everyone you possibly can related to the field you want to get into. In many industries you are not just going to being hired out the blue by applying, you end up knowing someone who gets you an interview and recommends you.

[vc15jrich23]

Is a grade an athlete? Someone had to say it.

Anyways college degree's seem weird now, the field I am getting into requires just a basic aa degree.

I have seen jobs posted online the requires a bachlors or master's degree and only pays $11.00-$13.00/hour no benefits.
I have made more than that out of high school stocking shelves at the local store and working security for BNSF railroads. I have also seen a lot of basic office jobs that pay a lot more than that.
I would suggest trying to get into the job you are going for a degree in, some companies will pay for your schooling.

[Cisco69]

Originally Posted by 37Jetson

Simply not true. Many companies screen for lucrative internships and first jobs primarily on Grade Point Average. It is not the only criteria, but in this job market it is bad advice to tell a college kid that grades do not matter. When that kid graduates nobody is going to be waiting to give him a trophy. It will be time to enter the competitive world of job seeking. We make our own opportunities in life if that is the attitude that we choose.

Personally when I am recruiting for employees I am not all that concerned about GPA because job experience and personal drive are the two things that I seek.

Internships yes, jobs no. I have hired for my company (and a few others) as well and we have never asked for GPA. I have had several jobs in different fields and have never once been asked. I'm sure a few may but as the majority of people will tell you it isn't something you will most likely if ever be asked. I wish they would I'm sure my 3.9 would have set me apart but that's not the case. Like you say drive and attitude are bar none the standard of assessing a prospective employee.

[Cisco69]

Originally Posted by Whodatiz

On a more serious note though...to the OP, go to career fairs any chance you get. It's basically obtaining an interview without having to apply for a job. I can't stress that enough. It's also a great way to network as well and an opportunity to improve those communication skills.

This is without a doubt the best advice thus far. It all comes down to what gets you the job over the next guy. It is not clear cut across the board on what will get you the job, but the preparation helps. Career fairs/Job Fairs are the best. I got my last job that way, they liked my résumé, told me to come back tomorrow for the interview and gave me a job on the spot with amazing benefits. The experience from these, along with the networking and ability to apply to many positions before they are listed will set you well above the pack.

[SpastikMooss]

Originally Posted by 11134111

Clark university

Sweet deal! I grew up just over Quinsig in Shrewsbury. I feel like 5% of my graduating class went to Clark...Worcester is a cool city. And Clark is a nice school.

Originally Posted by 11134111

OK thanks what school.. how highly ranked ?

Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. This site - National Liberal Arts College Rankings | Top Liberal Arts Colleges | US News Best Colleges - has it at the 26th best liberal arts school in the nation. Excellent science program there (especially chemistry and environmental science) but I went for psych. Had a lot of fun too haha.

[cjsayde]

Originally Posted by SpastikMooss

Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. This site - National Liberal Arts College Rankings | Top Liberal Arts Colleges | US News Best Colleges - has it at the 26th best liberal arts school in the nation. Excellent science program there (especially chemistry and environmental science) but I went for psych. Had a lot of fun too haha.

Lafayette was in the top 20 when I was applying for college, and we dropped to 39! They must have known I left

[saketm92]

its not about the grades you make, but the hands you shake.

[SpastikMooss]

Originally Posted by saketm92

its not about the grades you make, but the hands you shake.

I like this a lot. My grades overall weren't stupendous, but certain classes and certain professors and certain jobs helped me a lot. So I say obviously do well overall, but also pay special attention to those classes or teachers that you really connect with. Those are where all my good recommendations or job interview stories come from, and I still talk to several professors from way back then.