What do employers weigh more, GPA or work experience?

Question

I could graduate next April and currently I have a 3.96 GPA. I haven't had any internships though. They are really hard to come by near my college and I've been going to school year round. Would it be better to take some time off and get an internship in another town or should I just finish school up? Is it worth my time to put off graduation and get an internship or will my good GPA be enough when it comes time to get a decent job?

I already know that I can get into grad school if I want to go. All my professors are trying to push me that way, in fact.
I'm more concerned with what a potential employer who doesn't know me is going to place a higher value on, the good GPA or the lack of an internship. I may end up doing an internship during grad school if I think it will be worthwhile and if I go.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Of course, employers weigh experience more than anything.  If you don't have experience, then someone else who does will be hired over you.  GPA doesn't really count much if you don't know how to work, and the only way to tell is by experience.  My employer didn't give a crap about my GPA.  He hired me because of my experience.

Starlight · Answer

The experience of an internship would serve you better in the long run.  My stepson graduated college two years ago with a job already lined up because he worked internships three summers in a row.  Some others who graduated from the same program without working the summers are still not working in that field.

Anonymous · Answer

when you are just graduating, you obviously don;t have much relevant job experience, even with internships, so GPA is probably more important

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What do employers weigh more, GPA or work experience?

3 Answers