Everyone Says Get Good Grades. 900+ Professionals Told Us What Actually Matters.

Before you head back to school, here's what really prepares you for your career.

You've heard it your whole life: get good grades, get into a good school, get a good job.

And yes, grades matter. But here's what nobody tells you:

When we asked over 900 professionals across every industry what they did in school that actually set them up for career success, grades came up fifth.

Not first. Not second. Fifth.

What came first? Relationships. Real-world experience. Getting involved.

The professionals we talked to—attorneys, engineers, founders, teachers, doctors—said the same thing over and over: "I wish I had spent less time chasing perfect grades and more time building connections and trying new things."

Here's what actually prepares you for the working world.

And the good news? You can start doing all of this right now—before you even go back to school.

#1: Network and Build Relationships Early

This was the single most common piece of advice across all 900+ interviews.

Not "get straight A's." Not "pick the perfect major."

Build relationships.

The people you meet now—classmates, professors, people you work with, alumni—are the ones who will help you land jobs, introduce you to opportunities, and vouch for you when it matters.

"I focused maybe too much on grades and didn't realize that broadening my network really would've paid off, because people don't hire resumes, they hire people." — Nathan, Attorney

"I kept in touch with someone from college and having a good relationship 10 years later helped me get this job. Focus on building relationships — you just never know what will happen down the line." — Eileen, Product Marketing Manager

"Your network is your net worth, because if you need somebody, you might know somebody." — Rhonda, Director of Community Relations

What you can do:

You don't need to be a natural "networker." Just be genuinely curious about the people around you. Stay in touch with the ones you respect. That's it. That's networking.

Before you go back to school this fall, reach out to one person you haven't talked to in a while. A former classmate, a professor, an old coworker. Just check in. That's how you start building a network that lasts.

#2: Get Involved in Clubs, Orgs, and Activities

Join things. Student organizations, sports teams, volunteer groups, campus jobs.

It doesn't matter as much what you join as that you participate in something beyond your classes. These experiences teach you how to work with people, manage your time, and take on responsibility in ways a classroom can't.

"I joined every news organization I could on campus and yeah, I may have had no free time, but I learned so much and I was able to secure a job before I even graduated." — Ava, Journalist

"Being involved in extracurricular activities is the utmost important thing a student can do, because getting employment is about separating yourself from the pack." — Lance, Deputy District Attorney

"The things I found most value out of were joining clubs and professional organizations. Being a part of those communities are the most important part of your undergrad career." — Kartik, Senior Technical Program Manager

What you can do:

Pick one or two things that genuinely interest you and go deeper rather than joining everything. A leadership role in one organization teaches you more than passive membership in five.

Before fall semester starts, look up one club or organization you've been curious about. Email the president. Show up to the first meeting. That's how it starts.

#3: Get Internships and Real-World Experience

There is no substitute for actually doing the work.

Internships, part-time jobs, volunteer roles, research projects. Any experience where you're applying what you're learning in a real setting gives you an edge that grades alone can't.

"I entered the job market with almost five years of experience in my field because I constantly had an internship or was doing volunteer work." — Gianna, Development & Communications Manager

"I know friends who have straight A's and great GPAs and could not land a job after graduating because they didn't have that internship experience." — Alice, Senior Manager, FP&A

"A bad internship is just as important as a good internship because a bad internship can tell you what you don't like." — Trevor, Senior Account Manager

What you can do:

Start early, even if the role is small or unpaid. Every bit of real-world experience makes the next opportunity easier to land.

This summer, look for one opportunity to get experience in a field you're curious about. Volunteer. Freelance. Shadow someone for a day. Anything that gets you out of the classroom and into the real world.

#4: Find Mentors and Learn from Professors

The people teaching you and working around you have experience, connections, and perspective you won't get from a textbook.

A single conversation with the right person can change your trajectory.

"I met a mentor when I was 19 and he opened my eyes to real estate in general, and I never looked back from there." — Josh, President

"I made sure to develop relationships with my peers and professors and mentors along the way, because those are the people who will broaden your perspectives, open doors, write letters of recommendation, and suggest opportunities for you." — Natalie, Sales Enablement Specialist

"I just did not realize how much I had to learn and gain from finding mentors. That's my biggest counsel to anybody in college right now. Seek out mentors." — Chihiro, Private Equity Director

What you can do:

Go to office hours. Not because you need help with an assignment, but because you want to learn from someone who has been where you're trying to go.

Most professors and advisors are happy to talk if you show genuine interest.

Before fall, reach out to one professor whose class you enjoyed or one professional whose work you admire. Ask if they have 20 minutes to talk about their career path. Most will say yes.

#5: Work Hard and Take Academics Seriously

Yes, grades did come up. Just not in the way you might think.

Your classes may not always feel directly relevant to your future career. But the habits you build now—how you study, how you manage deadlines, how you push through difficult material—are the same habits that will carry you through your professional life.

"Really learning how to study and put in a lot of hours and just learn how to really apply myself, because that carries through to everything in my life now." — Cory, Technical Marketing Manager

"I had to learn extreme discipline and time management, and those have no doubt contributed to my professional career." — Lindsay, Director of Infrastructure and Risk Management

"Studying theoretical math really taught me logic and how to problem solve by breaking down a larger question into smaller pieces and thinking through the steps of how to actually get to the answer." — Rachel, Vice President

What you can do:

It's not just about getting good grades. It's about learning how to learn. That skill outlasts any specific class or major.

Other Things Worth Doing

Those five came up most often, but professionals mentioned plenty of other habits that made a difference:

Explore and try different things. You don't need to have it all figured out. Take classes outside your major, try unexpected activities, and let yourself be surprised by what sticks.

Follow your interests. The professionals who felt most energized by their careers were the ones who paid attention to what genuinely excited them, even when it didn't seem practical at the time.

Develop your communication skills. Writing, speaking, presenting. Practice these whenever you get the chance. They will matter in every job you ever have.

Step out of your comfort zone. Study abroad, talk to someone you don't know, apply for something you're not sure you're ready for. Growth lives on the other side of discomfort.

You're Closer Than You Think

You don't need to do all of these at once. Pick one that feels doable and start there. The professionals we talked to didn't have perfect plans or perfect GPAs. They showed up, got involved, asked for help, and stayed open to where things led.

You can do the same, starting right now.

Before you go back to school this fall, pick one thing from this list:

• Reach out to one person

• Join one club

• Find one internship or volunteer opportunity

• Talk to one mentor

• Build one new habit

Your career doesn't start when you graduate. It starts with what you're doing right now.

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