Why Grades Matter

As I wrote in the section on common myths about college, grades matter. I always tell my students about my father, who used to be the Vice President for Human Resources for a fast-food company that shall remain unidentified in print and who used to be responsible for hiring restaurant managers. He would not hire a manager who earned less than a 2.5 in their undergraduate studies. Although, in my opinion, being a restaurant manager is actually quite a difficult job, most of my students do not aspire to be fast-food restaurant managers (in fact, many already are without their degree). 

The lesson to take away from this little anecdote is that you will likely be judged by the grades you earn in college. While it is impossible to tell how your grades will be interpreted in individual situations, it could be that Ds will signify that you are not reliable and that you did not obtain the skills and knowledge of a class in which that grade was earned. For some, Cs might be interpreted as having attended the course. Employers or professors may interpret Bs more favorably, but As will say to them that you completed every task assigned to you and completed them well.