4 answers
Erin
Student
Suwanee, Georgia
1
Question
Asked
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How do you keep believing in your long-term goals when your current GPA or academic record doesn’t reflect your effort or ambition? #Spring25
I’m currently a college student working toward a degree in Marketing and plan to transfer to a four-year university next year. I’ve had some rough semesters due to burnout and personal challenges which affected my GPA despite working hard, especially outside the classroom (internships, freelance work, content creation, etc.).
I’m trying to stay focused on the bigger picture and keep building toward my career goals, but it’s hard not to feel discouraged sometimes, especially when my transcript doesn’t reflect how much I’ve grown.
If you’ve ever had to bounce back from an academic setback, I’d love to know what helped you stay confident and keep moving forward.
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4 answers
Helen Grimmett
Product Manager
11
Answers
Slough, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Helen’s Answer
You have some great advice already, but I just want to add that college is a great opportunity for you to learn the skills you will need in business, and dedication and perseverance are an example of those skills, you'll be able to point to this challenge in your college journey and use it as an example where you didn't give up. We all face setbacks, it's how you deal with them that matters.
College is all about learning and practising the skills you will need in business life, skills like debating, presenting, writing a dissertation, clear concise arguments, soft skills that ultimately may turn out more important that the subject of your degree.
I got a degree in politics and international relations, I started in customer services and am now a Product Manager creating new products to take to market. No connection whatsoever, but the ability to make concise notes, summarise problems and offer solutions, speak to senior people, overcome nerves, for example, that's priceless.
College is all about learning and practising the skills you will need in business life, skills like debating, presenting, writing a dissertation, clear concise arguments, soft skills that ultimately may turn out more important that the subject of your degree.
I got a degree in politics and international relations, I started in customer services and am now a Product Manager creating new products to take to market. No connection whatsoever, but the ability to make concise notes, summarise problems and offer solutions, speak to senior people, overcome nerves, for example, that's priceless.
Anika Szpankowska
Marketing Director
2
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Anika’s Answer
First off, your GPA doesn’t define your future in marketing—or in life.
I say this as someone who worked full-time during college and didn’t come out with a 4.0. My GPA wasn’t the highlight of my resume, but I still built a career I’m proud of.
Here are some of the things I've learned:
1. Companies value initiative and real-world experience.
In marketing especially, your ability to do the work—to think creatively, solve problems, understand audiences, and drive results—matters more than a transcript.
2. Learn to tell your story.
You’ll stand out not by hiding your GPA but by explaining your journey. Talk about what you learned juggling school and work, how it shaped your perspective, and what it taught you about communication or customer empathy—a skill that every marketer needs!
3. Skills > stats.
Focus on building a portfolio that showcases your work and network, not just a perfect record. Maybe if you can write compelling copy, if you know how to run paid ads, are really good at analyzing data, know how to build a community, or create content that resonates, you’ll be fine.
4. Marketing is a wide field.
Whether it’s content, strategy, analytics, product, or brand, there’s space for all kinds of thinkers and backgrounds. Your path doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.
I say this as someone who worked full-time during college and didn’t come out with a 4.0. My GPA wasn’t the highlight of my resume, but I still built a career I’m proud of.
Here are some of the things I've learned:
1. Companies value initiative and real-world experience.
In marketing especially, your ability to do the work—to think creatively, solve problems, understand audiences, and drive results—matters more than a transcript.
2. Learn to tell your story.
You’ll stand out not by hiding your GPA but by explaining your journey. Talk about what you learned juggling school and work, how it shaped your perspective, and what it taught you about communication or customer empathy—a skill that every marketer needs!
3. Skills > stats.
Focus on building a portfolio that showcases your work and network, not just a perfect record. Maybe if you can write compelling copy, if you know how to run paid ads, are really good at analyzing data, know how to build a community, or create content that resonates, you’ll be fine.
4. Marketing is a wide field.
Whether it’s content, strategy, analytics, product, or brand, there’s space for all kinds of thinkers and backgrounds. Your path doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.
Neha Chaitanya
3
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Neha’s Answer
1. A GPA is a snapshot, not your whole story.
It’s a metric, not a measure of your grit, growth, or goals. It doesn’t show the nights you studied, the challenges you overcame, or how much you care. Long-term success comes from consistency and resilience—not perfection.
2. Low grades can be feedback, not failure. Ask: What can I adjust—study habits, time management, asking for help earlier?
Growth mindset > fixed mindset. Every setback is a scene, not the whole movie.
3. Many people are successfil even when they didnt do well in academic.Here are the names:
Steve Jobs
Bill Gates
Mark Zuckerberg
Larry Ellison
Walt Disney
Steven Spielberg
Eminem (Marshall Mathers)
Richard Branson
Daymond John
Ralph Lauren
Albert Einstein
Thomas Edison
John Paul DeJoria
It’s a metric, not a measure of your grit, growth, or goals. It doesn’t show the nights you studied, the challenges you overcame, or how much you care. Long-term success comes from consistency and resilience—not perfection.
2. Low grades can be feedback, not failure. Ask: What can I adjust—study habits, time management, asking for help earlier?
Growth mindset > fixed mindset. Every setback is a scene, not the whole movie.
3. Many people are successfil even when they didnt do well in academic.Here are the names:
Steve Jobs
Bill Gates
Mark Zuckerberg
Larry Ellison
Walt Disney
Steven Spielberg
Eminem (Marshall Mathers)
Richard Branson
Daymond John
Ralph Lauren
Albert Einstein
Thomas Edison
John Paul DeJoria
Steve Vierra
CRO
3
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Steve’s Answer
Hey Erin—keep pushing forward! What really counts is crossing the finish line. There's a saying in martial arts that fits perfectly: "The only difference between a white belt and a black belt is that the black belt never gave up."