REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

!Yaminashi · 02-13-2013, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melloman

If you don't know somebody, you better make sure that in your class of 150, you were in the top 10

This is far from true. There are way too many variables in the workplace/industry to say "if you're not top of the class you wont get a job." Sometimes it just comes down to timing. Did you apply too late? Maybe you're not the type of person they're looking for or maybe you just messed up your interview(s). Knowing someone wont necessarily get you a job either, but it increases your chances.

Being at the top of the class doesnt guarantee anything. Sure you're smart, but smart people arent always the best workers. They can be lazy and arrogant. Employers value alot more than just brains. If you can save them money and get your work done while doing it, you're more valuable than the guy with a 95% GPA in engineering if all he can do is crunch numbers.

That being said, experience doesnt necessarily outweigh school either. Experience can help you get your foot in the door, but the credentials IMO help you climb the financial ladder and give you more value.

Just my .02

melloman · 02-14-2013, 07:45 AM

^^ Only reason I said "be in the top 10" was just from experiences through school..

Going to VCC, my teacher set up a "field trip" to a Arch. Firm, they said they'd hire 1 of the students (out of the class of 30) and funny enough the top student got the job before even gradding. Same thing happened to my cousin, he was 3rd of his class of 70 @ BCIT Mech. Eng. and he got a job before grad. It just helps to show that "Hey, I got straight A+ throughout school."

Doesn't mean everything, but to some people it means alot.

zetazeta · 02-14-2013, 12:22 PM

Just my 2 cents, take it with a grain of salt.

At my former coop workplace, I had a discussion with my boss (who owned the company), regarding grades. She said that as much as education and academics are usually quite irrelevant to the job and tasks itself, it still matters because it is not the grade itself but what the grades reflect. Depending on the field of study, it may even show that the student is passionate about the concentration. An A+ is not easy to attain and even the smartest students have to put in some hard work and self-discipline to study and practice.

!Yaminashi · 02-14-2013, 06:00 PM

That's what I'm saying though. Grades dont always reflect the amount of work put in. Like I said, the smartest students don't always have the best work ethic.

An average student can put in twice the work and be passionate about their field of study but only get an average of 75%. On the other hand the genius only needs to put in 50% of the effort because they excel at whatever classes due to just being that much smarter.

Believe it or not, instructors know who's putting in the effort and working hard. Just a couple weeks ago my instructor that teaches our class that's worth the most credits said if I need a reference letter just let him know.
I don't have the highest grades, in fact I know I'm just somewhere in the middle, but I work my ass off. IMO a reference letter from an instructor says more than an 86%+ GPA.

bing · 02-17-2013, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuel_1

Im taking courses part time at BCIT and the girl I am sitting next to in one of my classes has a BA in Psych from UBC but she hasn't been able to use it in finding a career, I think her exact words were "it didn't prepare me" so now shes back in school with a more defined path

It is well known that a BA in psychology is not that useable and depends what kind of careers she was looking for. Generally, you need to get at least a master's in that discipline. My mother has a BA in psych and is doing something unrelated whereas my aunt has a masters and works as a nonprofit executive. Among my friends, they have found employment as a management trainee and the other used it to get into law school.

nns · 02-17-2013, 06:52 PM

Did the video go black around the 13 minute mark? There's audio, but no video.

edit: if you have a HOSTS file like I did that blocks ads, you have to disable it to watch the video properly.

Mr.HappySilp · 02-19-2013, 04:49 PM

It all depends. People could try starting up a business.

My cousin did that. Borrow some money from parents and started his own pizza place. Doing really well from the looks of things.

You don't need lot's of school to be successful. At least in Vancouver you either need the brain and the courage to start something great or you need to know some tech skills (auto tech, Plumber, electricans.....) Is mostly trades that gets you the money here not some useless BAs and master.