How useful are honors distinctions when searching for a job?

College Confidential Community
1

<p>I’m an incoming freshman, Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M, and was wondering if any CC users who have experience in the post-graduation job search process could offer some advice about what track to take while in school.</p>

<p>Myself and another user were talking about A&M’s honor program, and the question came up: Do honors distinctions (cum laude, the various distinctions offered by A&M) really cause a prospective employer to look at a graduate with a lot more interest, or are employers more likely to be concerned about other factors?</p>

<p>Essentially, is it worth the time and effort to be an honor grad, or would that time be better spent developing oneself in a different way?</p>

2

<p>Internships are probably more valuable. If the choice was between </p>

<p>time dedicated to schoolwork for honors
or
time dedicated to internship (during school year) </p>

<p>The internship would be infinitely more valuable.</p>

3

<p>unless, of course, you are considering grad school before a job</p>

4

<p>I don’t think so. If it’s your only outlet, ie, you’re a commuter, then it won’t hurt. But if it’s time that could be spent interning, etc, it won’t matter.</p>

<p>Even if you’re not in the “honors” program, you can still get special recognition for academic achievement, ie, summa cum laude</p>