1.1 degree vs 2.1

Not a person

How much do employers rate 1.1 over 2.1?

At the moment I am averaging 1.1 by busting my ass so far. I graduate at Christmas from this 1.5 year postgrad course. If I average slightly above mid 2.1 from now I should get the 1.1.

If I just pass everything from now I should get the 2.1.

However, I really need to spend a lot of time looking for jobs and doing job applications too.

Just trying to weigh up what I should be concentrating on most.

tatli_lokma

It really depends on the sector you wish to work in.

In my line of work, experience is worth ten first degrees. I have had people work for me who have held qualifications up the ying-yang but were totally hopeless. So for some jobs whilst a good solid qualification is a bonus, it will not override actual experience.

But for other industries a high scoring qualification is the primary requirement.

witnessmenow

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2321056/Lord-Winston-Why-I-dont-employ-students-class-degrees.html

ozt9vdujny3srf

witnessmenow wrote: »

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2321056/Lord-Winston-Why-I-dont-employ-students-class-degrees.html

That logic doesn't hold at all. There's lots of people in the world who just do really well at whatever they do, including getting high grades. Most of the well rounded people I met in college ended up getting 1.1 degrees. These people were heavily involved in societies and sports club throughout their course.

OP: If you have a chance of getting a 1.1, then go for it.

zl1whqvjs75cdy

Firstly the link above is the daily fail so ignore that. Secondly I'd say that obviously the better the degree the better but I wouldn't be heart broken if you get a 2.1 . Employers just seem to use this as a filter for initial interviews. Long as you get an interview I think your experience,transferable skills and personality become much more important than whether you got a 2.1 or a 1.1.

Not a person

Little Ted wrote: »

In my line of work, experience is worth ten first degrees. I have had people work for me who have held qualifications up the ying-yang but were totally hopeless. So for some jobs whilst a good solid qualification is a bonus, it will not override actual experience.

Yes that is all well and good and understandable that experience is the best... but I have to get the experience first!

LowKeyReturn

1.1 > 2.1 but only if the person had taken all the advantages that a third level education brings. If they sat in the library not interacting with people or spent 20 hours a day in the computer lab it doesn't really matter what degree you had you'll struggle with interviews/real life. That said there are some disciplines that are an exception to this but few would be looking for just an undergraduate degree.

Not a person

LowKeyReturn wrote: »

1.1 > 2.1 but only if the person had taken all the advantages that a third level education brings. If they sat in the library not interacting with people or spent 20 hours a day in the computer lab it doesn't really matter what degree you had you'll struggle with interviews/real life. That said there are some disciplines that are an exception to this but few would be looking for just an undergraduate degree.

I think I would be reasonably well versed in real life. I have previous work experience in another industry (construction) where I regularly dealt with clients and other staff (now studying IT due to the downturn) and was exposed to the pressures that companies face.

I have traveled the world and experience cultures etc. Even in Ireland I have socialized with all sorts of people..and there are all sorts! I don`t play too much sport but I watch football, tennis, golf on the telly. I try to hit the gym and run.

I don`t think I`m that bad really. I probably know a fair bit about what makes people tick. Then again I`ll be in my late twenties when graduating, not early twenties like most.

LowKeyReturn

It depends on the discipline you are graduating in but the extracurricular can take more time than the degree, I know it does in my case. I'm involved with several projects which will probably push me into a high 2.1 rather than a 1.1 due to time constraints and having to work part-time. For law though it's worth the sacrifice ten times over in contacts and experience and, frankly, once at the bar no-one is going to care what classification of degree you have.

As en employer (IMHO) I'd rather see a 2.1, internship and relevant volunteer work than a 1.1 and a membership to the TCD beer pong club, your mileage may vary of course.

April O Neill

A high 2.1 is much better regarded than a low 2.1, and IMO represents a greater understanding of a subject. And I say this as someone with a low 2.1.

I remember hearing a few years ago that some MNCs also take into account the university/IT from where the degree is received. I remember hearing that some MNCs had blacklisted some Institutes of Technology, but don't quote me on that! :-/

witnessmenow

Wilson Flat Sweater wrote: »

That logic doesn't hold at all. There's lots of people in the world who just do really well at whatever they do, including getting high grades. Most of the well rounded people I met in college ended up getting 1.1 degrees. These people were heavily involved in societies and sports club throughout their course.

OP: If you have a chance of getting a 1.1, then go for it.

Oh i dont agree with it, But as a guy with a 2.2 im hoping more people think like that

hardCopy

Do what you can to get the 1.1. It might not guarantee you a job but it'll give you a big boost when they pick who to interview.

If you're trying to get onto a 'Grad Program' with one of the big consulting or accountancy firms then the degree grade is often used as a big separator since the applicants are expected to come in with little or no experience and the job reflects this.

In the first job I got the first set of screening questions they asked on the application were Degree Grade and Leaving Cert Points, minimum requirements were 2.1 and 400 points. I helped out with recruitment a couple of years later when our competitors were hiring less and applications were up the minimum was increased to a 1.1.

It's not the best indicator of employability, and I saw plenty of college friends miss out who would have been brilliant in the job, but for the company involved the number of applicants was just too big to read all the CVs, there was 1 or 2 HR people involved trying to hire 80-90 grads in a three month window with 1,000+ applicants.

Once things moved on to interview stage most of the questions were about work experience, sports and hobbies.

April O Neill

hardCopy wrote: »

I helped out with recruitment a couple of years later when our competitors were hiring less and applications were up the minimum was increased to a 1.1.

Ouch! Is it still that way? Changing careers to accounting/taxation by doing a PG Dip this year. I have a 2.1. :-/

FizzleSticks

This post has been deleted.

April O Neill

FizzleSticks wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Is this me you're replying to?

Low 2.1, I'm afraid.