<p>A more self-explanatory answer I would assume… Would I have better job prospects after graduation if I have good job references from unrelated work-fields?</p>
<p>I have been working at my current job for almost a year now and I’ve already been promoted and have been offered a good job reference for any future job I may want. It’s in the education industry, but my intended major is to be a R&D scientist, perhaps in the chemical industry.</p>
<p>I sucked at chemistry in high school primarily because I sucked at math, but now that I just aced Cal II with an A+ this past spring, I’d like to think that I am well-prepared for chemistry this time around (seeing as how the minimum requirement for it is typically just be eligible to take college algebra.) I find chemical composition–particularly cosmetics–fascinating.</p>
<p>But I can’t definitively say if I’ll do well in Chemistry, so my GPA is probably going to take a hit since I’m not as strong in it as I am in math/physics.</p>
<p>Employers these days focus more and more on social skills. Especially given (1) how diverse American society (and yes, the American elite) is becoming and (2) how likely you are to need to be able to relate to international decision-makers (and even those who report directly to same).</p>
<p>GPA matters mainly for your first job or two, except maybe in certain technical fields (and even then much more early on than later). Now, how your first and maybe second job goes does set the tone for your career.</p>
<p>But if anything, the <em>higher</em> you go the more the employer will care about things like references and letters of recommendation.</p>
<p>In any case, people generally would much rather work with a likable dunderhead than a brilliant boor.</p>
<p>Last but not least, though, GPA vs. references is a little like accuracy vs. speed. Employers these days can easily get both.</p>
<p>Good luck in Chemistry (not to mention later on), and congratulations on your promotion!</p>