Anyone would feel better knowing a design was built by the best of the best, but to be honest, I wouldn’t hold one course they took years ago against them. If they passed their FE exam, if they’re under the supervision of a professional, or if they’ve received training in the mean time, why hold a grade against them?
While there may be a large difference between a C student and an A student, what about a 2.75 and a 3.1? A 3.3 and a 3.5? 2.3 and a 2.6? I think people are holding GPA to a higher standard than it needs to be in the scenario deceived above.
There was a typo in the sentence you were responding to. It should read: "I do not think the degree itself will diminish because of the person’s GPA. The person’s competence is reflected in their GPA, but notthe degree itself."*
I do not believe you’re disagreeing with me. Rather you’re stating that the GPA is a reflector of the worry of the engineering, while I am stating that the degree itself does not lose value because of one’s GPA. Their value as a competent employee decreases, but not their degree.
Yes, I do agree that one who graduates with a 2.0 would have minimal competence.
On my campus, this phrase is used when you’ve tried to get a high grade in a class but as the last weeks come to an end you’re hovering at a strong C. You take a deep breathe and reassure yourself, “Cs Get Degrees”. Meaning this C is not an end all B all. You’re still passing the class and you can still get your degree. It is not used in reference to only earning Cs. In our engineering program, you wouldn’t even get your degree!
sure, getting a C in one subject is fine and I’m sure plenty of good, recently-graduated and hired engineers have a C or two on their transcripts. The problem is when the phrase is interpreted as saying it’s okay to just get all Cs and still get your degree and it will all still be fine.
Quick anecdote: as an undergraduate I got a C in one of my technical electives. I loved the class but bombed the test. After discussing the final with them, he did eventually offer to give me a B though (which was great because I didn’t even go to talk to him with that in mind). Long story short, I figured out where I messed up in that class and eventually went on to get a PhD in a field that is heavily-reliant on that class. Getting a C is not a killer. Making a habit out of getting many Cs can be.
GPA is absolutely an issue in my sons job hunt. A recruiter for a “top compahy” at the annual meeting of National Society for Black Engineers told him she “got in trouble” for putting through someone with a 3.0.
C’s may get engineering degrees, but you should see if the school will provide such a degree on a roll of 1000 2-ply sheets so that it can at least be useful.
@Shrinkrap I wish the best for your son. I know from at least the societies I’ve been in and my peers, we’ve found the best connections through them and the events they host.