The Online Reflector

As seniors are preparing for graduation, many also are beginning to start the job interview process. This process requires a person to display confidence, have knowledge of the company and have a well-written résumé.

Some students keep track of their academic achievements, experiences and student activities in the form of a résumé. One important component of the résumé is a college grade point average. Although some people recognize that the GPA is important, others believe that the GPA is not the only element that employers consider.

Paul Gabonay, director of Career Services, said that what employers are looking for is a combination of a student’s GPA and involvement in the campus.

“Employers are looking for the whole package,” Gabonay said. “They want to know if the student has experience in the area and are capable of doing the job in question.”

Gabonay believes that students must be involved in activities in addition to being students whether that is a part-time job or involvement in campus clubs.

“Employers are looking for those who can juggle various commitments,” he said. “If you’ve only completed academic obligations, that’s not going to be enough; you’re not going to be prepared.”

Some students believe that whether or not to include the GPA on a résumé depends on the job. Seniors Colin Coffer and Tobin Deters are both searching for jobs and preparing for post-graduation.

Coffer, a sport management major, said he does not believe that his career employers will look at the GPA. He has played football throughout his college career and has plans to continue being involved with the sport, whether that means playing at a professional level or as a coach.

“With the career I want, GPA does not matter as much,” he said. “I think I’m fine with the GPA I have now. I have been involved in football, track and other clubs.”

Deters, a double major in marketing and sports marketing, said that he plans to push his job searches to increase his chances of having a job by the time he graduates.

Deters said he has had some informal interviews and internships. He believes that activities play a large role in the hiring process.

“In the job market today, employers are not so much concerned with grades but [with] what experience and activities you have been able to accumulate thus far,” he said.

Julie Soltesz, a recent University of Indianapolis graduate, found a job after graduating in December 2011. Soltesz was a double major in psychology and pre-art therapy. Soltesz said she applied to everywhere she could and used UIndy’s Office of Career Services to help her get interviews.

She now works at a behavioral center working with autistic children. Although Soltesz had a high GPA, she wanted prospective employers to notice her job experiences and activities. She said it is what helped her get hired by her current employer.

“They were really impressed by how much experience I [had] had through internships and community service,” she said. “They wanted to know all about it and why my experience made me a good fit for them.”

Soltesz said she maintained a 3.8 GPA upon her graduation and she did include her GPA on her résumé. However, she believes that its role is not as critical.

“It shows that you are able to manage your time but I don’t think it’s a huge component of getting hired,” Soltesz said.

Paul Gabonay encourages students to continue to strive for high GPAs as employers may inquire about grade point averages during the hiring process.

“There’s a rule of thumb that says if the GPA is 3.0 or higher, then include it on your résumé,” he said. “It is important to accentuate the positives.”