I’m a sophomore finishing up my first semester of this year, but college has been way more than just school for me. Worrying about how to even pay for college has kept me consistently aiming just to get by, along with trying to provide for people that rely that on me. Even so I already have my name on a paper as a first author, and will have worked in my lab for about 4 years once I’m done, hopefully adding at least one more paper to my name. I’m also in a pretty rigorous biomedical engineering program and don’t really understand how the next steps would look after finishing up.
Will my gpa be a major factor in getting a job? Or can my research and letters from my PI and other PI’s I work with save me? Would these factors have an effect on me getting into a masters program for business? is there still hope with 5 more semesters to come to revitalize my gpa?
Not all jobs ask for GPA. It is not listed as requirement on job postings. So you maybe absolutely fine.
Dd got a job, also BME (took a while), and as far as I know she was never asked about her GPA or transcript. I think I was only asked for transcript for government jobs that had requirements like 3 years of math or some statistics for some data analytics positions.
Nevertheless, most masters do want as a minimum 3.0 GPA. But there are masters programs that do not have specific GPA(especially online programs), and some may take students with lower GPA with significant job experience on condition of getting at least 3.0 first semester. Basically often masters program have often requirement for graduation to have at least 3.0. That is why they may not want to take students with lower GPA.
@swor your GPA might matter. I think it all depends on the job. My engineer husband was always looking for new hires who wanted to learn. But to be fair, if a lot of people applied, sometimes they did look at GPA as a criteria.
I think a lot depends on what kind of job you are looking for.
just depends on whatever I can get in all honesty, I just need this degree so i can get into a business masters and leverage something off of that. I just hope that my research will be able to make an impact. The interview is always where I shine my brightest but getting there is what scares me.
thank you! I just want to set myself up in a position where I can effectively work with/ manage/ guide people more than just be an engineer if I stay within the field. Though the bigger goal is to try and get a more business oriented career that is amplified by an engineering degree yk? When it comes to moving along projects and keeping things in order I accel more than just being given a task and doing it (which I am still able to do without issue). In a plethora of situations (including and outside academia/ work) i naturally find myself fitting into a leadership/ mentor position.
But the ultimate goal is to do something start-up related whether its working for one or spearheading one.
My son had a copy of his transcript and had to include it with most job applications. Well, maybe he didn’t have to include it - but he did. I assume it was requested or he wouldn’t have done so - and he applied to more than 100 jobs. He said they have spots for resumes/CVs, cover letters, and other docs. So the transcript was the other Doc. I suppose it is used to prove the GPA as many ask for a 3.0 or higher.
But was MechE.
I missed the MBA - you will get into some schools but for a well known MBA, you’ll need work experience - perhaps a bit more to overcome your GPA. But you can easily get an MBA - but likely not a top school. But you’ll want to work first for a few years although you’d find some to take you right away but I think that’s wasted. Work and it makes you more marketable.
An MBA with no work experience is typically not looked as any better than a bachelor degree. What sets an MBA apart is work experience so they are better able to understand and add to the various nuances of class.
Lots and lots and LOTS of engineers do all the things you’re talking about without an MBA. I honestly wouldn’t worry about that right now. You’ve very early in your college career and will have lots of grades - strive to hit the 3.0 as it can be a filter and hopefully as you’ve settled into schooling you can boost it. Ultimately you’ll find a path - keep working hard!