The role of a university is not often limited to the syllabus it covers, rather a university is its teachers, its environment, and its alumni, all of which provide a wider outlook to the world.
However, the result one achieves in his studies also has significance as the result will initially be the ambassador for the profession they choose to enter.
If someone wants to be a teacher, they must show full proficiency in their chosen field, but a top CGPA is not necessary for most other professions. However, most reputed jobs come with a CGPA cutoff mentioned in the application, so you have to at least cross that threshold to achieve your desired job.
But fear not, most private jobs have a balanced requirement when searching for the desired candidate. Some HR professionals might have certain tendencies to favour aspirants coming from reputed legacy institutions, others might be more rigorous in finding the most skilled individual judging by their CGPA and experience.
When asked about the necessity of a reputed institutional background, Sabrina Anjum Islam, programme coordinator of Mentors’ Education Ltd said, “Indeed, in Bangladesh, employers frequently use an institution’s reputation to gauge a candidate’s education, experience, and connections. Reputable university graduates are occasionally given preference, particularly for competitive positions.”
However, in certain fields, the consideration of a reputed background may be lax, especially in the highly opportunistic job market of engineering sectors. Raihan Ahmed Joy, assistant professor and department head of Industrial and Production Engineering, National Institute of Textile Engineering and Research (NITER) explained how only studying in a reputed university might not guarantee you a job. He said, “Yes, employers often consider legacy institutions when hiring, as they associate these institutions with high academic standards, strong alumni networks, proven quality, and talent. However, the emphasis on this factor varies as many companies now prioritise soft skills, experience, and cultural dimensions over educational supremacy based on name only, especially in fields where practical expertise is needed.”
A good CGPA can also be a path to prove a graduate’s worth in the competitive job market. Some might view it as the only way to highlight themselves if they do not possess connections to a good alumni from a legacy institution.
However, institution and results might not be the only factors which are important in building a career.
“Although a high CGPA is advantageous, it is typically insufficient on its own. Additionally, employers here prefer internships, real-world experience, and pertinent skills,” said Sabrina Anjum Islam.
As an academician, Raihan Ahmed Joy agrees with this notion and emphasised the need to be more proactive in showcasing one’s ability to stand out amid the crowd and catch the employers’ attention.
“No, a good CGPA alone isn’t enough, whether the university is reputed or not. Employers value skills, experience, and real-world problem-solving abilities as well as extra-curricular activities more than just academic performance. A high CGPA can open doors for better opportunity, but the mentioned abilities are often more crucial, especially if the university lacks a strong reputation,” he added.
So, how to build yourself up for your future career?
As a leading professional in her field, Sabrina Anjum believes it is possible to overcome academic deficiencies if one undertakes certain tasks such as cultivating special abilities, taking up projects, doing internships, or partaking in extracurricular activities that demonstrate your aptitude and commitment.
Concentrate on your abilities, pertinent initiatives, and work ethic to leave a lasting impression, she added.
In addition to the mentioned activities, Raihan Ahmed Joy also puts importance in building a good network base with the alumni of the institutions. As this can be a sure way to ensure your presence in a meaningful manner to the place you want to step in first.
“If the CPGA is not good enough, keeping a good network with the alumni, and preparing a strong resume can be fruitful. Companies often look for well-rounded candidates, so showcase your strengths beyond a CGPA,” he added.
Reassuring there’s nothing to lose hope about, Raihan Ahmed advises to engage in a proactive manner to fill in the gaps of one’s resume and try the best to showcase their worth to the employer.
“One should not neglect any of the factors needed for better engagement, moreover, he/she should tailor his/her resume to the job, network with the alumni actively, and prepare for interviews to demonstrate how he/she can add value to the company,” he added.
Overall, it depends on what your goal is and how you can showcase your abilities to potential employers rather than the institution you studied in or the results you obtained.