Augusta Irechukwu
Should I apply for as many relevant opportunities that come my way?
I am currently in my second year as an electrical engineering major. My gpa is below a 2.5. Should I count myself out of having a chance at these opportunities and work on my gpa or should I apply and see what happens for this year? #engineering #internships #research #gpa #grade
4 answers
bridget navoda
bridget’s Answer
Hi Augusta,
Your GPA isn't the only consideration employers make when hiring! In fact, sometimes those with perfect GPAs don't land jobs as they are unable to communicate or create...they're only good at taking tests!
I would strongly encourage you to apply for relevant opportunities. EE is a very challenging and difficult discipline, focus your energies on getting the internships, networking and getting a position in your field! Once in, you will continue to develop skills Good character, experience and involvement in professional organizations, internships, clubs is much more valuable than a high GPA.
Seriously, imagine this interview:
Company: So, what can you bring to this company?
Student : My High GPA.
Company: o...k....well, what type of work did you do in the past?
Student : Enough to get a high GPA.
Company:...lets try something else. Tell me about yourself?
Student : I have a high GPA.
Best to you!
Bridget
Sonya Bible
Sonya’s Answer
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill
You are getting a degree in a very difficult subject. Be proud. You have survived. You apply for every opportunity you can. I worked for 2 years as an engineer before going to graduate school.
I can also tell you that if you apply to graduate school (MBA, JD) your engineering undergrad degree will be looked at favorably. I can also tell you that for my graduate business school degree they looked at the GPA for my last 60 hours of engineering which was higher than my overall GPA.
Even if you do not go to graduate school, once you graduate you can begin obtaining your status as a licensed professional engineer. The starts with the Engineering in training exam.
You have shown you can handle difficult subject matter.
You have shown you have discipline.
You have shown you have courage.
Now is not the time to bow down. Buck up! Apply. Learn from any rejections you get but don't internalize it. Apply and apply again. Wear the industry down.
Never give up! Never surrender! (Galaxy Quest)
Brien Range
Brien’s Answer
Few companies use GPA as a final indicator for job opportunities. Fewer still find much value in your GPA once you are out of college.
The best way to increase your chances of getting that internship is to work on outside projects. If you can't find an opportunity, create one! If you have on your resume your work on a project, or a novel solution you found to a problem, even if no one paid you for it, you will have something that stands out far better than a single number under the Education section of your resume. You will be interesting.
Greg Parker
Greg’s Answer
Apply for the opportunities. My GPA wa 2.5 my second year of electrical engineering as well. I eventually got it to 2.8. The reason I found the job I wanted was persistence and applying. I got an internship and worked for about 2 years. This experience was invaluable. So, go for it!