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Abstract

are more interested in if you can build real applications. That is, yeah, you can know your theory, but can you apply it? They will give you things like code challenges, ask for the link of your GitHub profile and a portfolio website where they can see actual things you have built.Thus, focusing on the practical aspect of your application, not so much on your grades.<h1 id="a8bd">Focus on what you want</h1>I am NOT saying that getting good grades is a waste of time, they ARE important. Don’t go and stop studying for your next test or final. What I have seen through time is that grades are used for applicant selection for specific career paths. For instance, in grad school. If you are going to apply for a graduate program, the committee is going to look at your grades.What I’ve heard from friends and professors is that they look at particular courses that are going to be a prerequisite for your graduate degree. For example, if you are going to do a Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, make sure that your CS course grades are in top shape.This is because you are going to use this knowledge for your thesis and for the graduate courses you are going to be taking during the graduate program. Hence, the mastery of this knowledge is essential for your performance as a graduate student.Nonetheless, grades are ONE part of your application; they are going to see other factors such as admission tests (like the GRE) and other factors. So, what can you do? My advice is that you have to know what you want to do with your life professionally after you grade from

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your Computer Science degree.Then, after you have decided on what you want to do, research on the requirements for that career path. If you are going to focus on getting a job in the tech industry, take a look at job descriptions.Go online to places like <a href="http://indeed.com/">Indeed</a> and <a href="http://linkedin.com/">LinkedIn</a> (the section of jobs of course). Read all the job descriptions, focus on the requirements and do your best to fill them.The same suggestion applies to if you want to apply for grad school. Go online and read the requirements on the program’s website, then do your best to fill the requirements as well.If they ask for a certain GPA, go ahead and study your socks off, if they ask for a certain GRE score, study for the GRE to get that score. What I am trying to convey here is that first decide what you want to do after graduation, then, find out what you need to achieve your goal and work hard for it, regardless of your career interest. Moreover, focus on all the aspects of your application, not only one factor.There you have it, what I have seen through the years of the importance of grades in the Computer Science field. In hindsight, they are important, but they are only one part of your application, no matter the career path you choose, so, strive to be a well-rounded applicant in what you choose, and I am sure you will be successful.Originally published at <a href="https://yadielcabrera.com/2018/07/16/your-grades-dont-matter-that-much/">yadielcabrera.com</a> on July 16, 2018.</article></body>

Your Grades Don’t Matter That Much

When I was a student in Computer Science at my university, I was obsessed with getting the highest grades in almost every class. If I didn’t get that A, I was striving for; I did not feel like I did well. I studied long hours, and always set up the highest expectations which led me to graduate with one of the highest GPA’s in my class. Which led me to a lot of stress on numerous occasions. Sure there were times I was very successful at attaining these grades, others not as much. Now that I am a professional, I have come to realize that grades are important, but not to the extent as I thought they were. Wait, what did you say Felix? I know, we have been told all of our lives since we were kids that grades have to do something with your success on your field of interest or at least help you land a job.

So, today I am going to share my perspective on the importance of grades in the field of Computer Science and some tips on things you can focus on to help you achieve your goals after graduation.

Now, let’s get started.

Practicality wins

Reading a lot of job descriptions in the field of software development, I have seen a lot of the key skill sets that employers look for. Sure, some of them ask for a degree, but I have never seen a job description that puts a GPA as a MAIN requirement to apply for the job.

On the other hand, I have read that most of them are more interested in if you can build real applications. That is, yeah, you can know your theory, but can you apply it? They will give you things like code challenges, ask for the link of your GitHub profile and a portfolio website where they can see actual things you have built.

Thus, focusing on the practical aspect of your application, not so much on your grades.

Focus on what you want

I am NOT saying that getting good grades is a waste of time, they ARE important. Don’t go and stop studying for your next test or final. What I have seen through time is that grades are used for applicant selection for specific career paths. For instance, in grad school. If you are going to apply for a graduate program, the committee is going to look at your grades.

What I’ve heard from friends and professors is that they look at particular courses that are going to be a prerequisite for your graduate degree. For example, if you are going to do a Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, make sure that your CS course grades are in top shape.

This is because you are going to use this knowledge for your thesis and for the graduate courses you are going to be taking during the graduate program. Hence, the mastery of this knowledge is essential for your performance as a graduate student.

Nonetheless, grades are ONE part of your application; they are going to see other factors such as admission tests (like the GRE) and other factors. So, what can you do? My advice is that you have to know what you want to do with your life professionally after you grade from your Computer Science degree.

Then, after you have decided on what you want to do, research on the requirements for that career path. If you are going to focus on getting a job in the tech industry, take a look at job descriptions.

Go online to places like Indeed and LinkedIn (the section of jobs of course). Read all the job descriptions, focus on the requirements and do your best to fill them.

The same suggestion applies to if you want to apply for grad school. Go online and read the requirements on the program’s website, then do your best to fill the requirements as well.

If they ask for a certain GPA, go ahead and study your socks off, if they ask for a certain GRE score, study for the GRE to get that score. What I am trying to convey here is that first decide what you want to do after graduation, then, find out what you need to achieve your goal and work hard for it, regardless of your career interest. Moreover, focus on all the aspects of your application, not only one factor.

There you have it, what I have seen through the years of the importance of grades in the Computer Science field. In hindsight, they are important, but they are only one part of your application, no matter the career path you choose, so, strive to be a well-rounded applicant in what you choose, and I am sure you will be successful.

Originally published at yadielcabrera.com on July 16, 2018.