Academic success and job performance of engineering and scientific personnel

The relationship between the college grade point average (GPA) and job performance of research engineers and scientists was studied. The question as to whether raising the GPA requirement for hire was likely to improve the quality of the work force was examined. The results of the study indicated that GPA was not generally related to job performance. However, GPA was found to have a somewhat stronger relationship with performance for employees receiving their degrees from less prestigious university departments than for employees from highly prestigious university departments. Overall, the data suggested that managers of engineering R&D organizations need to consider other information besides GPA in making selection decisions if they hope to improve their work force. Several additional selection techniques are discussed, including work sample problems, situational exercises, situational interviews, and personality type measures.