Academic transcript and job search?

Factual Questions
1

Hi all…

I’m wondering if anyone in the Management Information Systems/Information Technology field might be able to answer a job search question. In a few short months I’ll be getting a bachelor of science degree in the above field. The degree will be from a very, very good school, but my GPA is a C+ and my transcript is full of black marks (took me 5 1/2 years to graduate, plenty of C’s and even one D, 3 incomplete classes, light class load, and one term on voluntary withdrawal). I won’t pretend that this wasn’t at least 50% my fault for goofing off, but it was compounded by enough factors that weren’t my fault that I could probably concoct a huge excuse. But in any case, it sure looks bad, and I don’t want to spend half the interview making excuses.

I intend to spend the next few months getting an MCSE certification, though, to balance out some of my technical deficiencies and look for something along the lines of a system administration job after graduating.

So my question is: what kind of emphasis will an employer place on seeing an academic transcript, especially in this field? Is there a way to tactfully avoid giving out this information without making it seem like I’m hiding something? Do employers even have a right to ask for a transcript? Given my record, should I forget the IT career and get a job as a janitor or fast-food worker? Even if I had good grades, I don’t like the idea of having a transcript on file in every place I ever work. I also don’t like the idea of explaining myself at every interview I ever have for the rest of my life (yeah, I know, I should have thought of that before getting all those bad grades…) Of course the college career center says transcripts are virtually required, and most job search sites I’ve looked at encourage applicants to be “forthcoming” and “comply” with requests for such information. But I’d like a real-world perspective.

Not to be a jerk about this, but those wishing to flame me for being a slacker need not respond - I’ve heard that stuff enough as it is. I’m only interested in practical and/or legal information on this topic, such as would be suitable to the GQ forum.

2

I should probably also add that the other 50% of my bad performance was caused by having to work 20 hours per week, and the light load/slow graduation was mostly to keep the incremental tuition low and allow me to work. I’ve been steadily employed as a student doing IT-style work on a somewhat informal basis for the past 5 years.

3

It’s rare for anyone to bother to check your academic transcripts. In all my job hunting experience (and I’ve had much too much :frowning: ), I’ve never been asked to supply one. The only time I ever had to get one was when I applied to graduate school.

Don’t worry about it. The degree is what most employers are looking for.

4

Got Sheep Skin, will travel. Can do job, rapid promotion. Caveat: tell them what their HR Animals want to hear.

GPA don’t mean nothin’ out “in the field”

5

In the “real world”, GPA and SAT are just initials.

You’d be surprised at how much employers like people who do their jobs and show up for work on time.

(But I did have some kickass SAT scores.)