Who am I

My Name for this purpose, is Demosthemes.  I intend to use this blog as a way to learn more both about myself, as well as to stimulate any persons who enjoy educated discourse on subject from the philosophers such as Locke to the benefits of proper footwear. Broad as these topics may take us, I intend to be as accurate as possible, and if an error is found, please let me know quickly such that I may assist in either correcting my error or yours. 

Today was filled with an interesting discussion on the benefits of a high Grade Point Average in College.  To start, I am a trained Mechanical Engineer.  This profession requires great depth of understanding as well as seeing intricate details, and missing small things can cause large problems that often cost alot of repair.  My current job can have a mistake be from a small change of an excel file, to a change that costs the company its reputation, and several hundred thousand dollars or more. 

Some would say that for me to have been hired, and what demonstrates my likelyhood to reduce errors, is my GPA.  That being said, I held a 2.66 in College.  Does this mean that perhaps I am just a bad engineer, and don't know better?  I would ask why I was hired in the middle of a Human Resources no hire policy, and a month before a second round of layoffs. 

Wait!, you must be confused as to how I was hired even with this!  It obviously wasn't because of my GPA.  Or was it?

If a professor is tough, but is a fair professor, it is time to play ball, and let them be tough.  A tough professor will still give you an A. 
If you have a good professor, there is no reason you shouldn't do well. 
If however you have my experiences, you would have either sucked up to earn the grade, or learned the incorrect things. 

Lets say you start as a perfect student. 

Of my professors, two classes I can out with 'average' marks, and I could have cared less.  I worked very hard, and earned every bit of the grade, and it felt great.  These lowered my GPA, however they increased my knowledge of the subject.  You can never dislike a professor you learn alot from, and these lwered marks will never make up the entirety of your GPA, so should your GPA dropping 0.5 points from these classes matter?  NO.  (you now have a 3.5)

On the other hand, if you have a professor or two that talks politics in a physics class; uses scare tactics to scare students into their view;giving impossible questions on tests and expecting you to 'do them anyways'; or grade based on personal feelings; a failing grade on your record may be well worth retaking the class.  Especially after a takehome final is graded as a 54 while the person you worked with recieves a 94.  You know you can't deal with this Ivory Tower professor barely teaching, scaring students, and being inapropriate.  What is your action? retake it, show up as little as possible to get a passing grade, and deal with it.  (your GPA is now a 3.2)

Wait!! what if your professor is teaching a several required design class with no design experience while you have nearly a year in it!  This is a bad plan... Just say goodbye to alot of your gpa, the professor is so clueless that he tries to tell you that a cheap bearing will perform as well as a well designed one.  (your GPA is now a 2.9)

Wait!!!  even though you a perfect, you mispelled a word on a paper, and you forgot to do some of your homework.  Then you got sick for a week, and missed a quiz.  And don't forget that one semester you thought you could handle 22 units of coursework on top of your 2 jobs and your volunteer position.  (your GPA is now a 2.5)

Wait!!!! That isn't right!  your just average?!  Add the grade inflation for your core classes that you were dumb enough to choose professors that don't inflate the grades!
(your GPA is now a 2.4)

Add the classes that you disliked the subject, and didn't work as hard as you should (your GPA is now a 2.3)
Add the Math professor who said "If you are an engineer, expect to fail this class"
Your GPA is now a 2.2)

and I got a 2.7, and was hired as I was. 

What does this mean?

GPA means little as a benchmark.  If you want a mindless zombie that can give you textbook answers.. hire the 4.0 student.  If you want someone who thinks hard about what goes on, challenging ideas that should be challenged; go for the student with the not perfect grades.  It isn't worth having another mindless lacky working with you. 

For those of you without perfect grades?!  Make sure you really know what you are talking about.  If you got a 2.5 gpa when you deserved a 1.5gpa...enjoy it, I won't hire you. 

GPA: not the best way to tell how a person with perform as a professional.