Exam Success at CSU
Do My Grades Really Matter?
As far as employment is concerned, this is not a question one can answer with a definite Yes or No. It depends on all sorts of things: whether we are talking about small enterprises or large multinationals, what kind of job you are applying for and your particular profession, whether you are going for a promotion or seeking entry into the profession, as well as a range of other factors.
Perhaps we can say with some degree of certainty, that grades are not significant in themselves however, where new graduates do not have a track record of employment or similar experience, grades can provide an employer with an indication of the following:
- ability to learn
- general motivation and commitment to pursue and achieve high goals
- self discipline and organisational skills
These are important abilities, and in our changing, competitive world where employers can expect us to continuously learn and re-train, your academic abilities are a useful gauge as to how you will cope in this world.
Similarly, if you are considering further study, now or at a later date, it might be worth checking whether the grades you achieved in your first degree will be a factor in gaining entry to the course.
So to this extent, grades are important. This is borne out by research conducted by AC Nielsen Research Services (July 1999). The results from their extensive research suggest that the following skills may be sought in new graduates through the recruitment process. Note that grades provide the employer with an indication of an applicant's abilities with respect to a number of these skills, and may provide a point of comparison between applicants.
- Academic achievement in a suitable discipline
- Literacy ยท Numeracy
- Basic computer skills
- Time management skills
- Written business communication skills
- Oral communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Teamworking skills
- Problem solving skills and
- Comprehension of business practice
In addition, this report also states that employers look for a range of personal attributes including enthusiasm, motivation, ambition, maturity and personal presentation.
So, yes your grades may be important but before you throw in the towel and say "My grades are pretty ordinary, should I bother applying?" remember that not all employers focus solely on grades. You should take the initiative and do your own research in the profession you are seeking entry to, or promotion within, to find out what they are looking for.
Reference
AC Nielsen Research Services. (1997). Employer satisfaction with graduate skills. Research report for Evaluations and Investigations Programme, Department of Education Training and Youth Affairs, pp. 3-8