Your gpa is not the most important thing about you (but it is still kinda important)

Mark Stuart wrote this awesome piece of advice using LinkedIn Pulse publishing and it really spoke to me. He talks about how GPA is not the most important indicator or the most interesting thing about candidates.

I always tell my University level students that it is okay to have other interests and passions and to hopefully be able to weave those interests/passions into their interviews. I often tell them that the GPA they have is not as important as being well-rounded and knowing what will make them motivated and happy. I feel that doing well in school is not really the same thing as doing well in life. It can definitely help prepare you for life and work and deadlines but it is not all it takes. In school, you have a "boss" but it is only for a semester or two - there is a requirement that you do the work, and you get a good grade. In real life, you have a boss or a team that is with you for years and years (hopefully) and that you need to be able to adjust and work with every day over a longer amount of time (post coming soon on what to do if your colleagues make you mad). And if you do not get along or fit in, you will not last.

So having other things to talk about is important and being able to take that next step. Mr Stuart says, "The main thing I looked for was cultural fit, and their attitude and approach to different scenarios." This is so important - the culture of the company along with encouraging diversity is the way to build effective teams.

Please do keep working hard in school but also make time for other pursuits that can be including in your elevator pitch about yourself and can help differentiate yourself enough to get the job for your next step. What do you think about this advice? What are you interested in that can be used to help you get your next step? Happy Hunting!

LinkedIn Pulse Doesn't Matter What Grades You Got in School