Does chasing perfect grades guarantee a top engineering job? Think again. Instead of high scores, companies now value hands-on skills, real projects, and practical experience. How can you balance both?
We have all noticed the rapid rise in engineering colleges and how engineering has become one of the most preferred career choices for students. With so many people entering the field, an interesting question often emerges: How important are grades, really? Strong marks in core subjects certainly reflect a good grasp of fundamentals, but they are no longer the sole measure of ability.
Today’s employers are far more discerning. They increasingly prioritise practical skills: how many hands-on projects one has completed, the quality of one’s tech portfolio, and one’s ability to build real solutions. A student may score only average grades in some subjects yet still stand out if they can apply their knowledge effectively, solve problems creatively, and show their capabilities through meaningful, well-executed projects.
This idea came up in a conversation with Maaz Jukaku and Jayakumar Balasubramanian from Emertxe. We discussed whether it is more important to work hard solely for good marks or to focus on learning practical skills while also keeping grades at a reasonable level, and concluded that the latter is a better approach.
“From my work on the placement side with companies, I see this trend firsthand through regular interactions with hiring managers. While companies may set academic criteria, sometimes requiring 70% or higher, they are often open to flexibility when candidates demonstrate strong skills or relevant project experience,” explained Jayakumar.
The focus for employers is increasingly on efficiency and effectiveness. For instance, if a company has five positions to fill, it cares about how quickly suitable candidates can be screened and recruited. A shorter recruitment pipeline and candidates who can be quickly deployed to projects are often more valuable than strictly adhering to academic percentages. Many larger organisations are now willing to lower strict grade requirements if the candidate’s skill set matches their needs.
“This is not to suggest that academics are not important. A decent academic record, typically a 7 or 8-point GPA, still matters. Beyond that, students should focus on building practical skills and exploring areas that interest them,” added Maaz.
Engineering courses usually last four years. Maaz and Jayakumar say it is beneficial to start learning practical skills, such as embedded systems, robotics, or full-stack software development, in the second year. They believe the earlier one starts, the better. By the third year, one can narrow their focus and dedicate their final year to projects and skills that align with their career aspirations. This approach provides a logical roadmap to starting a career while maintaining flexibility for future growth.
The full interview will be live soon. Stay tuned.
