Can I do something else to put on my resume that will impress employers like practicing using a computer program that petroleum engineers use? I have a 2.56 gpa (75 credits). I literally have no idea what I should do now. I’m considering just dropping out of school aka giving up because what’s the point? I can’t get an internship with my low gpa. Even if I try my hardest, it won’t matter because employers are looking at your cumulative gpa and nothing else…
You have a bigger problem than an internship if you are thinking about dropping out of school. Why would you really want to do that?
@onceuponamom because it’s pointless to pursue a degree when It’s gonna be pretty difficult to find a job
Why do you assume you won’t find a job? Employers aren’t going to expect every graduate to have a 3.5 and up. Don’t give up so easily. You are far too young to do that.
What year are you?
Of course, you are more than your GPA. You need to include your skills on your application or resume and tailor it to the particular internship you are applying for. Don’t give up so easily.
@onceuponamom Thanks. I appreciate your positivity. It really brought my hopes up
@DrGoogle I just became a junior
I remember my brother struggled in his engineering program. I have no idea what his gpa was, other than not terrific, but he is now a successful civil engineer.
It’s hard to find an internship after sophomore year. But I think you have time to raise your GPA to 3.0. Civil engineering is the only field where GPA maybe overlooked because some these civil engineers end up working for government and all you need is a degree and 2.0 get you a degree.
@Justabe1020, I agree with the posters above. You might not be Valedictorian, but you will be employable. Don’t give up!
How did your GPA get into that range?
@onceuponamom thats awesome info thanks
@DrGoogle Yeah I do have time, but i calculated it and I need straigh As for like 3.5 semesters which is pretty difficult, B’s I can do, but not As. I didnt know it was harder for juniors and seniors to find internships. Hmm, is there a reason why?
@eyemgh Thanks, and it was just being irresponsible and lazy and not taking it seriously
It’s harder for sophomore, much easier as junior and then senior.
Hang in there. Drop by the campus placement office and ask for advise for your situation. They may have some helpful insights. Good luck!
@Justabe1020, easypeasy, just kick it in now. You’ll be fine. Good luck!
Don’t take too many classes at once. Plan out your finals schedule.
Instead of an internship (which can be difficult to get as an upcoming junior anyways), why not try to find a professor doing some research over the summer and work with him/her. It may not be paid, but you’ll get some good experience; maybe even better than an internship.
Have you roughnecked a summer? If you don’t have that on your resume after this summer, it may be in your interest to switch majors or drop out. In an oversaturated petroleum engineering market, employers will take a chance on someone with a lower GPA if there resume shows they are interested and committed to petroleum engineering. Roughnecking is a great way (when you can’t get an internship) to show you are serious about petroleum engineering and you are willing to work hard (which your grades call into question) to achieve your goal of being a petroleum engineer.
Roughnecking is more valuable in research. I will be more beneficial for you to see the day-in day-out operation of drilling rig than it is to waste a summer in a lab logging drill cores. Roughnecking in the middle of nowhere outside of Midland will either provide you with extra motivation to improve your grades or show you petrol isn’t for you.
@HPuck35 thats a great idea! thanks!
@MiningStudent thank you for your insight! I just have question for you. Is it at all possible for me to work for 3 months roughnecking like an internship?
I think it depends where. I don’t know if it is still like last year when all you needed to do was show up with a pair of steel toe boots and be able to pass a drug test and you were hired.
I imagine they would still hire you. You are not the first petroleum engineering (or student really for that manner, I knew a MechE who made $25 an hour plus OT last summer in Colorado) to roughneck for a summer.