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computer science degree?
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Location, Location, Location
Some regional/local markets can be very good for CS majors. My buddy graduated with mediocre grade (2.3) got a $60k job offer after he quit his first job (only did 6 months). The place I'm doing my Co-Op is desperately needs to fill a testing , web developer, and more Java positions.
This is wrecking havoc in my mind, as I'm see-sawing between job and grad school after my BS.
QurazyQuisp
Platinum Member
I'm a current student and I have a 3.5, I'm pretty sure that is part of the reason why I had so many of the big software companies ( known for smart people) contact me after applying online for internships. MS, GOOG, Intuit, IBM, and a few other larges ones and numerous small companies. I had opportunities this summer to intern with a number of companies but unfortunately something came up that would have cut my available time down for the internships. I had to turn down these companies however, every single one of them gave me contact info for a specific recruiter and told me to make sure to contact them this fall/spring for next summer.
GPA can, initially, show work ethic which is something a lot of software developers are looking for. After they got over my GPA I had to prove to them that I was able to problem solve and was above average in intelligence to get them to pursue me further. My GPA just helped me get in the door.
Deeko
Lifer
QurazyQuisp, if you have good internships on your resume, that balances out any GPA deficiencies - and IMO is actually better than having a high GPA without the internships, because it translates better to the real world. Is having both ideal? Sure...but overrated, and if you need to spend your entire college life in the library to get that 3.5+, it isn't worth it.
QurazyQuisp
Platinum Member
Deeko, I agree, internships are most definitely more important that a high GPA, however, the high GPA can help one get their foot in the door for some of the more prestigious internships. When I was second round interviewing with Intuit in Mountain View, I was the only one there who was not from Stanford, Cal-Tech, UC-SD. All known for having excellent computer science programs.
I don't come anywhere near spending my whole college career in the library. I take about 17 credit hours a semester, work 15-25 hours a week (Depending on exams and some extracurricular activities) and a leader in one of the clubs on campus and an active member at my church. I however do not play computer games. So many of my CS friends spend all their free time playing wow or some other game. I try to make the best out of all my time every day, and it's paid off by having a decently high GPA, some experience in my field and a social-life.
I am amazed at how much time the average college student wastes. They all claim to have no time at all, but then you look at how much time they spend browsing facebook, or watching tv, playing video games or whatever.
Thankfully, I have two more years (including this coming year) in school due to my dual majors which opens up another summer for an internship.
QurazyQuisp
Platinum Member
No, I definitely agree there. I know that the work I am putting forth now will have little to no meaning after my first job, however, I'm hoping that it will provide me with more opportunities now.
Yep. I did UofT's program, so I spent 16 continuous months at RIM (in waterloo), so when I graduated, and felt comfortable applying for non-entry level jobs. IIRC, the listing for my current job wanted 2-4 years experience, but I got it without and problems (and with a bit more money than they initially offered), even though I only had those 16 months (plus some other vaguely related experience)
ultimatebob
Lifer
Or China, Brazil, Mexico, and Russia.
Where I work is desperate for more developers. They won't accept people with no experience, although an internship or two might be enough. A bigger problem seems to be that the majority of people we interview can't program their way out of a paper bag. We're talking about people applying for a Java position that can't explain inheritance, polymorphism, the difference between an interface and an abstract class, etc..
Legendary
Diamond Member
Alone a CS degree is useless.
You need one of these:
1. a brand name college (think top 50)
2. a middle tier college with a 3.5+
3. a middle tier with a 3.0+ and some internships
any of these will get you into 80% of interviews.
combine features to get the other 20%
i graduated with a math/compsci degree and a 2.9 GPA from NYU (#33 on USnews, whatever that means) and i only got denied interviews twice out of ten resumes sent out in my life. of those 8 interviews i've gotten 3 offers.
it's not bad out there.
learn to interview!
You need one of these:
1. a brand name college (think top 50)
2. a middle tier college with a 3.5+
3. a middle tier with a 3.0+ and some internships
any of these will get you into 80% of interviews.
combine features to get the other 20%
i graduated with a math/compsci degree and a 2.9 GPA from NYU (#33 on USnews, whatever that means) and i only got denied interviews twice out of ten resumes sent out in my life. of those 8 interviews i've gotten 3 offers.
it's not bad out there.
learn to interview!
Deeko
Lifer
Yea. I had a low GPA, mainly because I was busy with other things so my general education classes suffered, and I'm doing plenty well....
I'm sure jumpem will come back and throw Google and his company in our faces. Yes, there are SOME companies out there that care about GPA - but guess what? My first full time job was with one of them! I actually couldn't apply there for an internship because they had a 3.4 minimum. Still ended up pulling an interview for FT, and then a job.
Bignate603
Lifer
Then you make sure you are in the top 5%. At a normal school a person of normal intelligence can get good grades as long as they are willing to work for it. I know that there was a ton of people at my school that were smarter than me. I still got out summa cum laude and 3 different job offers in hand. If you don't treat college like a party and actually work hard at it you'll have success.
Skyclad1uhm1
Lifer
What you could consider is applying for a job in Europe. Here in the Netherlands there is currently a shortage of IT workers. And if you get a job with an American company here (e.g. Google, Dell, Microsoft, etc) you will have pretty much the same benefits as you'll have in the States.
And if the Dollar keeps doing bad a bit longer getting paid in Euros for a few years may be nice too.
And if the Dollar keeps doing bad a bit longer getting paid in Euros for a few years may be nice too.
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