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So, I went to the career fair...

B

blustori

Senior member
I went to the career fair to find a job for this summer. Once walking around, I was once again reminded that top tier companies do not come to our school. The subpar companies that do come each had long lines of students. Considering my gpa (slightly under 3.0), I was discouraged to approach companies like Microsoft. So, I decided to talk to people that I thought would find me qualified. Boy, was I wrong.

I first approached DuPont and started talking to the rep. We had a good conversation going until he asked for my gpa. I told him and conversation changed. He basically told me I had no chance of getting a job there unless I met the 3.0 minimum. Which made me realize that I do not want to work for a company that only looks at numbers. I also was reminded life is not always fair.

Next, I went to see the Dept. of Treasury because I was always interested in finance. I do not want to sound racist or anything but, the rep that I met was black. Before I get flamed, let me emphasize. The two students that talked to him before me were black females. He seemed very interested in them and gave them a lot of advice. When it was my turn, I handed him my resume and told him that I was interested in a finance internship. To make a long story short, he basically laughed at me because I wanted a finance position with an electrical engineering background. I was furious but, I kept cool.

The career fair ended on a good note. As I was walking around, one of the reps from a govt engineering company approached me. I told him about my gpa and he told me that their company does not hire interns solely on gpa. His small effort to talk to me has given me interest in working at his company. I wish more companies were like this.

Cliffs:
1. Life is not fair.
2. Read it if you are looking for an internship.
3. Discuss.
 
While I agree with you about how you shouldnt be defined by a number, your gpa is under 3.0 which is a c/c+ average. What company out there wants to go after average individuals especially at a career fair where there are lots and lots of others, they want the cream of the crop, not the middle of the pack.
 
companies want to hire interns with high GPA's because it shows that they have basic competency and time management skills. whats the point of hiring an intern if you have to babysit them for the entire summer? more likely than not, if you have a low GPA that means that u do not manage your time well, because classes are usually only difficult if you dont allot enough time to complete assignments or study (this is from the recruiter's perspective).

the companies that you mentioned are also highly competitive. not so sound harsh, but you expected way too much from the career fair. unless you are a top-tier student, they wont give a damn about you.
 
"Which made me realize that I do not want to work for a company that only looks at numbers."

you are going to have a very difficult time finding employment you are happy with. a business that doesn't care about numbers doesn't stay in business for long.
 
If it makes you feel any better, my GPA is only 2.8 😱

I'd like to transfer to a small private college but my GPA may be holding me back. I couldn't imagine trying to find a job with my current GPA. Luckily I'm only in my second year and I have plenty of time to boost up my GPA.
 
did they ask for cumulative or major?

just curious, haven't been to a career fair yet or interview - need to go though
graduation looms
 
I did not want to leave a bad impression. I will have over a 3.0 after this semester. I just wish I would have taken classes with easy professors like all of my other colleagues. I guess that is my fault.
 
How old are you, btw, OP? Below a 3.0 is not very good and I should think you wouldn't be surprised to find that companies don't want mediocrity. They want capable individuals. Whether you GPA is situational or not, it may convey a lack of effort, which really turns a company off.
 
Originally posted by: tfinch2
Why in the fuck would you try to get a finance internship if you're an EE major? What is your major malfunction?
Click to expand...

After 4 years of EE, I have ultimately decided that I will not pursue a career in EE. I am just staying with it to challenge myself. I'm pretty sure people change careers all the time.
 
Originally posted by: blustori
Originally posted by: tfinch2
Why in the fuck would you try to get a finance internship if you're an EE major? What is your major malfunction?
Click to expand...

After 4 years of EE, I have ultimately decided that I will not pursue a career in EE. I am just staying with it to challenge myself. I'm pretty sure people change careers all the time.
Click to expand...

Is it too late to double major? Major in both Finance and EE.
 
Originally posted by: MaxFusion16
yea, I went as well and had pretty much the same experience. I'm graduating next may, you?
Click to expand...

I finish up EE next year but, I'm gonna stay to double major in Chinese.

I'm kind of getting the impression that people think I'm some lazy bum. The reason for my low grades is that it is really hard for me to get into the material since I lack the passion and motivation. The only thing keeping me going is the challenge. I have previously worked at a Big 4 firm in another country so, I do have work experience. Finding a job here is another story.
 
Originally posted by: blustori
Originally posted by: tfinch2
Why in the fuck would you try to get a finance internship if you're an EE major? What is your major malfunction?
Click to expand...

After 4 years of EE, I have ultimately decided that I will not pursue a career in EE. I am just staying with it to challenge myself. I'm pretty sure people change careers all the time.
Click to expand...

Uh, not really without a degree. Most people end up changing careers (if they do) mid-life and get another degree when they do so, at least in my experiences. And also, that's kind of a cop-out when you say that you should've just taken easier teachers. You know what you should've done? Manned up and tried harder. I've had some of the best and worst teachers here at Davis, but you just gotta push through for your future.
 
Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
Originally posted by: blustori
Originally posted by: tfinch2
Why in the fuck would you try to get a finance internship if you're an EE major? What is your major malfunction?
Click to expand...

After 4 years of EE, I have ultimately decided that I will not pursue a career in EE. I am just staying with it to challenge myself. I'm pretty sure people change careers all the time.
Click to expand...

Uh, not really without a degree. Most people end up changing careers (if they do) mid-life and get another degree when they do so, at least in my experiences. And also, that's kind of a cop-out when you say that you should've just taken easier teachers. You know what you should've done? Manned up and tried harder. I've had some of the best and worst teachers here at Davis, but you just gotta push through for your future.
Click to expand...

I know what you are saying but, in reality, the person that gets the grade gets the job. It doesn't matter how many difficult courses you take (like I did).
 
Originally posted by: blustori
Originally posted by: MaxFusion16
yea, I went as well and had pretty much the same experience. I'm graduating next may, you?
Click to expand...

I finish up EE next year but, I'm gonna stay to double major in Chinese.

I'm kind of getting the impression that people think I'm some lazy bum. The reason for my low grades is that it is really hard for me to get into the material since I lack the passion and motivation. The only thing keeping me going is the challenge. I have previously worked at a Big 4 firm in another country so, I do have work experience. Finding a job here is another story.
Click to expand...

yea, I know what you mean, EE is tough. In my case, I was doing really well until my Junior year, the course material just completed overwhelmed me and I'm slowly recovering right now. I admit that I have made some mistakes and I have no one but myself to blame. Right now I just want to finish strong, get my degree and get out of here.

did you at least get some freebies? the binoculars Lockheed handed out is at least half decent.
 
You're a mediocore student at best, and you wonder why companies like DuPont won't hire you? Go to college, do well in your classes, and maybe you'll have a second shot.
 
GPA does NOT matter when it comes to competency. however, in context of filtering candidates at career fair, finding first job, etc.. companies do discriminate based on gpa (because theyd ont have much else to go on).
 
Originally posted by: Sphexi
You're a mediocore student at best, and you wonder why companies like DuPont won't hire you? Go to college, do well in your classes, and maybe you'll have a second shot.
Click to expand...

For real...I'm a borderline moron and I still got a 3.3GPA in college.

Maybe it's time for you to go back to your "Big 4" company?
 
Originally posted by: LS20
GPA does NOT matter when it comes to competency. however, in context of filtering candidates at career fair, finding first job, etc.. companies do discriminate based on gpa (because theyd ont have much else to go on).
Click to expand...

Because GPA is, generally, a good indicator of work ethic.
 
Instead of whining about companies' prejudice against low GPAs, maybe you should set your sights lower to 2nd tier companies?

You fvcked up, and now you are paying for it. Maybe if you do well in a 2nd tier company, you will move to a top tier company couple years down the line.

No point whining about the system, just deal with it the best you can from this point on, you can't change the past. Accept your past failures and pay your dues.

 
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