Do grades or CGPA really matter for mechanical engineering students?

Do grades or CGPA really matter for fresh graduates and mechanical engineering students? This is a hot topic of discussion while you are studying in a mechanical engineering college or university. Those with low CGPA and grades try to defend themselves with the opinion that grades don’t matter while others with good grades usually degrade others with the opinion that mechanical engineers with low CGPA cannot find a good job. This is a common statement that those with high GPA will get a high paid job with high salary. This statement is quite misleading. It’s not only your GPA which matters in the end; there are many other factors as well which will count towards your getting a dream job.

Your GPA and grades matter only when you need to give interviews in companies (which are very few in number) where they have a requirement of 3 or 3.5 GPA to appear in their test. Usually the employers of such companies think that they need to short list students on some basis. As you see all the mechanical engineering students from a same college are found to have done similar projects so only factor of evaluation for the employer is their CGPA or grades. But this is only important for first time job of fresh mechanical engineering graduates. And as I have told you earlier, there are fewer companies which require you to have higher GPA. Many multinational and other high standard companies evaluate students based on their own tests and interviews where they have no limit of GPA or grades.

Apart from getting your first job, in practical filed, grades or GPA does not matter at all. To perform better in practical life, you need knowledge beyond the scope of books. A large number of industries do not bother to look at a student’s GPA or even their transcripts if the candidate is able to clear their assessment skills test and screening interview.

A mechanical engineer must possess strong technical knowledge in the field he is interested in. He must have great presentation skills and communication skills. You must be a practical person fully equipped with understanding of basic principles and knowledge of mechanical engineering. If you have some skills then you need not to worry about your low grades and GPA. You have what an engineer really needs to have. You must have practical understanding of things and common sense which is necessary for an engineer.

Apart from GPA and all other capabilities and skills, there is another factor which comes into play when you are applying for a job. That is your LUCK! In my personal opinion, getting a dream job is 50% skills and learning and 50% luck. You need to have confidence in your luck.

Though it’s seen that GPA comes into account when you have to apply for higher education in a mechanical engineering college or university with higher world ranking (mostly in top 50 in the world). Due to many number of students applying each year, they will prefer students with higher GPA.

Despite all the discussion above, all the mechanical engineers are advised to pay due attention to their studies and secure good grades and GPA. Because in the end, your GPA or grades show that what potential you have and how responsible you are. While you are studying, your only job is to secure good grades, if you cannot do this then you are not very responsible.