Quote:
Originally Posted by MarchHare
Your GPA is only important if you're planning to apply to grad school. No employer gives a damn what your grades were.
What will really help you to start your career after you finish shool is getting some decent job experience while you're still a student. Rather than taking your summers off, get a job (preferably one in your future field) and do your best to make a very positive impression and show your value. Best-case scenario, they like you so much that they offer you full-time employment after you graduate; worst-case scenario, they give you a good reference and you get valuable, relevant experience to put on your CV.
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For accounting and many things in finance - this is 100% false. If the OP wants to work for a Big 4 Accounting firm (in the old days, to get your CA) GPA absolutely is looked at. It is by no means the *only* thing they will look at, nor is it 100% absolute but if you have a 2.2 overall average from Mount Royal with 2 years of "accounting" at Bob's Hot Tub sales - I wouldn't expect to make 1st cut... Unless you're Captain of the Hockey team maybe.
Even if you didnt choose to work for a firm and went for a CMA - expect competition for the best companies. Moreoften than not, right out of school with not much on your resume - expect companies to use the one thing they can do differentiate amongst fresh out of school applicants - GPA.
Same thing for Finance. Don't expect a Tier 1 firm to be considering you for Investment Banking under the same scenario above.
So yes, grades and the institution you go to do matter to land you that 1st job. After that, yes - no one cares about your GPA. I say this from someone who has hired for the firms, and for major companies in town for the last 19 years out of many institutions. If there's two candidates on the table with similar personalities and work experience (which typically out of university is not much) - hands down I go for the one with the 3.4 over the 2.2.
Hard work - usually gets you results.