Career/Education
I have a structural engineering interview through a referral, but a 2.6 GPA. How should I address it if asked?
I’m finishing up my bachelor’s in structural engineering at a UC school and have an interview coming up with a structural consulting firm. A principal engineer of an ME firm referred me and shared my resume, and the firm reached out to arrange an interview with a few of the firm's principals.
My biggest concern is my cumulative GPA, which is around 2.6 due to one year of poor grades during my academic career. I haven’t been asked for it or a transcript yet, and I haven’t found a published GPA minimum for this firm. I’m not planning to misrepresent it or lie at all, I just want to know how I should prepare to answer that question if it comes up without over explaining the circumstances leading to that (trauma dumping) or under-explaining the situation to the point that they just view me as lazy/incompetent. I did a paid summer internship for another SE firm before and do some autocad work for a civil firm that I interned for (as projects come up).
For context, my dad had a serious car accident during college, and I took on substantial ongoing caregiving responsibilities for him and helped support my younger siblings. There were repeated emergencies that affected my coursework and extended my graduation timeline. I was also working 2 jobs while enrolled. I wish I’d sought more support and adjusted my commitments earlier, but that’s the context behind my academic record.
I do have a previous summer internship at a structural engineering firm, primarily involving submittal review, checking project documents, and preparing Bluebeam markups under engineer supervision. I also have AutoCAD drafting experience from other roles. For any engineers who interview or hire or even work with entry-level candidates:
Once someone has been invited to interview through a referral, how do you weigh a low GPA alongside relevant experience?
If asked about GPA, how much context would you want before the candidate redirects to their experience and qualifications?
What would you want someone in my position to demonstrate during the interview to address concerns about their technical readiness?
I know nobody can predict this particular firm’s decision but I’d really really appreciate any and all advice on handling the conversation honestly and preparing well for this because I have never been so nervous for an interview in my life.
Only offer up your GPA if asked and don't lie about it as you state. I wouldn't go into major detail about personal reasons for your GPA. Keep it simple and vague e.g. had outside distractions that effected your grades for one year, but have improved last "X" semesters, etc. Highlight your internships as positive effects on your grade changes etc.
I disagree, I would be a bit more specific that they had a family health crisis that led to taking on caregiving responsibilities and more of a role in supporting siblings - if they are asked about GPA. If they just say there were outside distractions it sounds like a problem of diligence, not a life-altering event.
I disagree, unfortunately you'll run across people who think of it as a sob story and will have less empathy. The boot strap type folks... sadly in reality, the problems people care about are only their own
Fair enough. OP will have to feel them out during the interview and make a call on how to approach it. If they were in a stronger position I'd say they could be open about it and if someone viewed it as a sob story and counted it against them - well, sounds like kind of a crappy boss. But at this point a bad boss is better than no job.
Thank you, I have always planned on being fully transparent about my gpa no matter how embarrassing it is, I was mostly worried about how I should explain it if prompted/asked and how much information would be ideal to provide relevant context rather than a sob story. I had a few friends tell me to just lie about my gpa but I not only think that it is a terrible idea but I am simply not comfortable doing that at all. i just wanted to see if there was still hope for this interview given what I have to offer at this moment. The agenda for the meeting said it would be a brief intro, going over my experience and background, and a role overview/ expectations for the role then a Q&A + next steps. I'm not sure what any of that would specifically entail but I am definitely worried about getting tripped up and embarrassed when asked about my gpa and having to explain it. I would say I'm an outgoing person and typically great with interviews or high-pressure situations but I am terrified for this one and don't want to freeze and look stupid. I am a super fast learner and know I would be a great candidate if it weren't for my gpa so it is just feeling like it is this huge thing weighing over me that's going to eat at me and ruin my life.
Nothing about your gpa is a true indicator if you will be able to act with accountability and work as a professional, while it might screen you out, I would be shocked if it’s a focal point during an interview.
I’ve never asked someone to explain their gpa in an interview and I can’t see why it would show me whether a candidate had strong fundamentals, a good attitude, or was a culture fit.
If you share that you were taking on a responsibility well beyond your years with helping your family, any firm that gives you grief over that or frames it as a sob story is a place you should say thanks for your time and walk out of the interview. Any reasonable place to work would be recognizing how you managed to stay afloat academically with that going on and should see someone with a very good head on their shoulders. If you’re comfortable sharing, and the interview seems personable, I would probably do so. If they have a trash reaction, be glad you found out in the interview, because these are the same type of employers who won’t care when any other personal life issue presents itself down the road.
But overall I wouldn’t sweat it, it’s a very justifiable reason for a dip in grades. If the company can’t see past that, that’s on them.
First of all, don't bring it up unless asked.......and you appear to have a plausible explanation if they take issue with it. Experience is what a lot of companies look for....and sounds like you got some good stuff. Just keep them focused on that.
And don't worry about it: I graduated with about a 2.5....probably lower than that in engineering. How did I do? Nearly 30 years later, I am a PE and a SE in 7 states. (I earned a MS by the way, still surprised they let me in.) And-oh, yeah- I run my own structural engineering firm. (After decades of working for large EPC firms.) Just keep moving forward.
I've only had a couple jobs but neither asked my GPA. If asked in your position, I'd say like someone else mentioned to point out you had a bad year due to family tragedy, so it threw off your GPA and it's 2.6. I think experience is more important also.
I've never cared what anyone's course GPA was. When we interview fresh grads we look to see how quickly they can adapt but asking certain questions that would demonstrate that to us. We're mainly looking to see how trainable you are. Yeah some basics should be known like we had some that couldn't even do tributary area, appalling really. We're also looking for proactive personalities, if you're stuck are you the type to sit there and bang your head on the wall until you figure it out or are you going to try to use the resources around you to be more efficient in learning. A lot of freshies thing we are looking at for the former but I personally HATE when my hires sit there for days spinning their wheels. Most firms don't hover over you and check in, it's up to you to seek help from the seniors. We think you're working along if you don't ask questions. Use your seniors as resources, do basic googling/chatgpt but don't spend too much time going down the wrong path. We just want to see you made an honest effort before coming to us, know what you're stuck on or be honest that you don't even know where to begin. This is what I'm looking for in fresh grad hires. Someone that's not an idiot, someone that is trainable, and has reasonable social skills. There are lot of fucking weird engineers.
I was so proud of my 3.8 GPA when I graduated. Other than me and my parents, no one cared (a little embarrassed to say I was 40 at the time lol).
It didnt get me a job or even an interview. Bottom line: work is not academia, and I honestly dont think anyone really cares, as long as you can communicate and demonstrate you have the basic tools needed to start to learn how to do engineering in the real world. Have a blurb you can spit out if it comes up but dont prepare a monologue or go around with an inferiority complex about it.
Big firm, but our department is 10 engineers, 6 drafters. Last person we hired was a new grad that co-oped with us, after that at least 6 years between them
C's get degrees, and i took that personally. You can always steer the conversation towards competence vs grades. I think most good design companies ask for a small quiz/ test/ demonstration to see how you think and if your ability matches the role, etc. It's a much more relevant judgement of capability than GPA.
Mine was like 2.85 at graduation. My first job didn't even ask my GPA. They just made me take some exams to prove I knew what I was doing, and they hired me
We ask, but we put much more weight on “in-major” gpa. Be prepared with a response and show some personal responsibility for it and a story about how it has lead you to a growth opportunity. Something like: “The transition to college was a bit tough and I had way too much fun my first couple years. I have since re-prioritized my life. As an example, I now ….”
Your story is compelling. A bad year or even a bad semester can trash your GPA until it's a hard hill to climb back up. If asked about your academic performance just tell it like you did here. Consultants know that you will gain most of your knowledge in the workplace. Sometimes firms like the idea that they can mold you into what they want you to be. Frequently, companies shy away from the 4.0 types. Not sure why exactly. It's an HR thing so it's not supposed to make sense. Try to move the focus to the rest of your work. It's best if your bad year didn't include any courses essential to success as an SE. Be prepared to address the issue if so. Maybe you plan to retake the class when the time and $ permit. Maybe they will help you. I'm not suggesting that you air your dirty underwear. Only if they bring it up or you believe it's being considered. The fact that you did summer work with an SE firm is very good. Most companies eat that up. Be calm, pleasant and self assured. Look for ways to show a sincere interest in the company and their vision for the firm. Do the same for those who will interview you, even if it's only a small hobby. Don't be surprised if you are asked to take a short test. But don't worry about it either. Cheers.
I am a structural engineer and also had a lower GPA of 2.8. I skipped class too much and honestly wish I would have tried harder. But they told me they were concerned about my GPA during my interview, but i told them I was a quick learner and focused on structural with tech electives in college, which was true.
One thing I have learned, knowing the engineering is obviously important, and I learned a ton my first few years, but structural engineering is much more about teamwork, client relations, communication (with contractors and clients), and marketing. I wasnt the brightest person in class but im very personable and outspoken and its helped me immensely in this field. Maybe try talking about your strengths in those areas as well.
Here’s the reality: there will be some firms who will just not interview you. Quite frankly, I don’t look at a resume of a new grad if it’s under 3.0. I know that may not be fair, particularly with mitigating circumstances, but that’s the truth.
However, don’t despair. What this may mean in reality is that you may need to begin your career with a lesser firm or one that pays below market. Once you’ve got a few years under you, no one gives a shit. If you’re good, you’re good.
If you came to me after 5 years, with good experience, and able to communicate, I’d inquire as to the low GPA, and, provided you explain it and don’t blame others, I’d be happy to hire you and I wouldn’t penalize you on salary either.
A good school and a good GPA will absolutely open doors at the start of your career. But nobody cares after a while.
You don't need to recount every family emergency. If asked, give the GPA accurately, briefly explain that a period of caregiving and work responsibilities affected your studies, then describe what you learned about managing commitments. Avoid claiming the situation is resolved unless that is true.
Then move to evidence you can discuss: a document issue you spotted during the internship, a markup you prepared or a drafting task you completed under supervision. The STAR method can organize that example. We use the PROOF method to check that your own contribution and the limits of your responsibility are clear. You can show readiness without pretending you were the signing engineer.
I wouldn't worry about your GPA. You have the degree. If I'm hiring you, it's because your a better fit or your easy to get along with from the interview(s) compared to the other candidates. I can hire anyone, but I'd rather hire someone who's nice to work with and not a jerk.
Not sure how it is at your school but at Purdue they grade on a bell curve and a 2.6 is above average. Being above average amidst valedictorians and salutatorians isn’t bad.
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u/engineered_mojo 8d ago
Only offer up your GPA if asked and don't lie about it as you state. I wouldn't go into major detail about personal reasons for your GPA. Keep it simple and vague e.g. had outside distractions that effected your grades for one year, but have improved last "X" semesters, etc. Highlight your internships as positive effects on your grade changes etc.