What is better? – high gpa w/ not working vs average gpa w/ working? - Page 2

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    Topic
  • #191778
    loves winter
    Participant

    I have always wondering about this topic because I realized that maintaining high gpa (3.8+) while working is truly hard.

    I have seen some people taking like 2 classes not working and I feel like it is obvious that they can concentrate on studying better than I do (and I truly envy them).

    (I know I have to just try hard but sometimes I feel little discouraged)

    So I have been thinking about quitting my part-time job to concentrate on studying but the reality is that I have to work in order to get my lunch and buy a monthly metro pass (plus some shopping).

    But I have seen cases where companies actually value those who maintained average gpa (3.5ish?) and working at the same time.

    I want to hear others’ thoughts on this topic.

    Thank you.

Viewing 3 replies - 16 through 18 (of 18 total)
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  • #645149
    nicole2035
    Member

    most people are average and trainable. what's going to set most accountants apart are social/soft skills, that's just factual information. you could be the best accountant in the world and know everything but if people can't see themselves hanging around you for hours a day or lead by you, you won't go too far. so i'd say GPA matters to maybe get you in the door but many people get positions simply from networking, that's not uncommon. Also, working will develop those social skills more than working problems in a textbook, some people you can't predict how awful their business etiquette may be. Accountants in general usually aren't that social, and if you're looking to get into the big 4, a big chunk of that is sales. I'd say balance both, make sure you're meeting the minimum for interviews, so i'd say shoot for a 3.2+.

    #645150
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I wanted to reiterate what brooks said about GPA only really mattering if you're going for B4. I never applied to nor was interested in B4, but that being said, I didn't have my GPA on my resume and only was asked about it 1 time. My GPA was pretty decent, but it wasn't something that anyone was interested in during my non-B4 job-seeking. Of course, results will vary, but in my experience getting a job and from my perspective if hiring, outside of B4, some job experience (even if not accounting-related) is better than strictly school and high GPA.

    #645151
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    For job search I think anything over a 3.0 is fine. I was asked my GPA (3.7) on my first internship application at a Big 4. Never been asked since. That was many years ago now.

    I find it funny that people think that a 3.5 is not strong. My younger brother is at Cornell and he said that the average engineering GPA is around a 2.9. A 3.5 would be considered phenomenal. My dad had a 3.2 or something at NYU back in the day and that was considered a good GPA. He went on to graduate school at Stanford and a PHD at one of the best universities in the UK. Just shows how meaningless GPA's are nowadays since everyone pretty much get's an A (at least in most Masters programs)

    Even Google recently stopped asking new hires for their GPA. Extensive studies have now shown that GPA is not related to job success. I imagine everyone else will follow.

    To me a 4.0 GPA say's that you are good at one thing, i.e. studying for tests. A 3.3 with some good internships at leading firms, extracurricular's, and a dynamite personality says that you will be able to handle the rigors of the real world.

    Don't underestimate how far a nice suit, shined shoes, and a big smile will get you. We are after all in America, the land of the superficial 🙂

Viewing 3 replies - 16 through 18 (of 18 total)
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