IDA Blog | Mindset Over Marks

Dr. Prachi Beriwala, Associate Professor, Presidency School of Management, Presidency University, Bangalore, India

Hari sat in the college cafeteria, staring at his phone. He had received another rejection email, making it to four this week.

He grumbled as he looked through the LinkedIn profiles of his batchmates who had already found employment, “How did I end up here?”

Professor Radhika happened to pass by at that moment and saw him.

“Hari, what’s wrong?” asked Professor Radhika.

“I’ve followed the syllabus and received good grades, but no company seems interested,” Hari sighed. The system is flawed, in my opinion. Or perhaps I have run out of luck.

Professor Radhika (seated): “Hari, grades are a portion of the picture, but not the entire frame. Have you constructed any projects outside of the classroom? Are there any projects, internships, or coding challenges?

Hari: “Not at all. I believed that the degree would suffice.

Professor Radhika: “That is the issue. Marksheets are not hired via the employment market. Value, attitude, and skills are hired.”

At that moment, a guest lecturer from the same department, Professor of Practice Anirudh, entered.

Anirudh: “Radhika, Professor! Always enjoyable.

Prof. Radhika: “Anirudh, it’s just right. Here, Hari needs some career clarification.

Anirudh: “What’s the confusion, boy?” while grinning at Hari.

Hari: “I simply don’t understand. Some students are finding employment despite having worse scores than me. “What am I missing?”

Anirudh: “At graduation, my GPA was 6.5. However, I had a little freelance job, three internships, and a Play Store app. Recruiters are more interested in your abilities and thought process than in the number of chapters you have committed to memory.

Professor Radhika: “That’s the attitude. You bided your time till placement season arrived. Anirudh made possibilities for himself.

Anirudh: “Hari, do you approach interviews with confidence? “Or are you waiting for someone to ‘discover’ your potential?”

Hari: “I suppose… I thought it would just happen. Perhaps I should approach things differently.”

Anirudh: “There’s always time. Get started right away. Create a profile on a networking site. Go and acquire a useful skill. Engage in conversation with your mentors & peers.

For the first time in weeks, something inside Hari changed as he nodded. The haze of self-doubt somewhat lifted.

After a Year…

Hari returned to college as a guest speaker rather than a student. He had recently received his second job offer following a year of self-study and upskilling.

He ended his talk to juniors with these words:

“Don’t wait to be chosen. Choose to grow. Mindset beats mark sheet every time.”

Hari’s story is not uncommon. Every year, thousands of students graduate with high grades and even higher expectations, only to confront the harsh reality that the job market values more than just a transcript. While academics provide a foundation, they no longer tell the full story. The often-missing piece is mindset — the ability to take initiative, build, learn continuously, and remain curious.

“The GPA Myth”

Let’s dispel a misconception- success is not always assured by a good GPA. It shows work, sure, but not necessarily creativity, problem-solving, or social skills, which are all important in the real world. Nowadays, a lot of recruiters analyze portfolios social media/ networking site accounts, projects, and real-world effect in addition to grades. Hari thought that his degree would assist, and he’s not incorrect in thinking that. However, in a competitive market when many students have the same degree, a person’s mindset—the will to develop, take chances, and start from scratch—is what sets them apart.

“Marksheets People Get Hired, Not You”

Professor Radhika’s statement, “Marksheets aren’t hired in the employment market,” strikes a deep chord. What matters are abilities, values, and attitude. Employers are looking for problem-solvers, team players, and creators, not simply resumes. Anirudh’s journey proves this point. With a modest GPA, he still crafted a strong professional profile through internships, freelance work, and an app — all reflections of a proactive, entrepreneurial mindset.

“Growth Is a Choice”

The good news? A person’s mindset is not fixed. Hari made the decision to change. Instead of waiting, he began to construct. Rather than criticizing the system, he started to take responsibility for his trip. It’s summed up in his final words as a guest speaker: “Don’t wait to be selected. Decide to develop. The mindset is always superior to the grade sheet.
You are not out of the race, students who feel lost or left behind. Changing your approach can change your story. One must acquire a new ability. Create a project that they are passionate about. Collaborative thinking & networking are the new mantras. Try, because ultimately, it’s more important to consider how you’ve changed than merely what you’ve learned.