Post subject: Re: Inconsistancys in gem-A's course notes and assignment qu
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 11:45 pm
Moderator
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:42 pm Posts: 2846 Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
I would disagree that an A or B makes no difference, at least if you're in London or Hong Kong and attend the Grad ceremonies. I can guarantee you that those who end up with the various awards (for which you obviously need an "A") are discreetly approached by the local industry guests of honour after everything is handed out.
Lucy... I've probably said this before but I'll repeat for anyone else following this thread... A friend of mine (forum member "Pixette") got an A in her FGA diploma exam (93 or 94% if I remember correctly) She explained to me that she went through each chapter of the notes, re-typed them on her computer, and then went through them over and over, taking out unnecessary info each time until she was left with, at most, a page or two of condensed notes per chapter. I used the same technique when I did my DGA and answered each question with as much info as I could think of that pertained to the subject (rather than "counting points"). That landed me the Deeks prize. The gent who was handing out the awards murmered to me as he handed me the certificate "You must come and explain to me how you did that later". This guy was the owner of a big diamond company.
Post subject: Re: Inconsistancys in gem-A's course notes and assignment qu
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 7:50 am
I was in Japan at the time of all the ceremony stuff last year. I assume if there was some kind of scroll/certificate, it was handed over then.
I have been attaching the results letter(s) to job applications. Is this enough, or has anyone experienced an employer requesting the actual certificate?
If it's not required, I don't really care about the certificate tbh, but could grab it from Gem-A next time I'm passing through the big town (is it free?).
Post subject: Re: Inconsistancys in gem-A's course notes and assignment qu
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 8:01 am
Moderator
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:42 pm Posts: 2846 Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Kyriakin wrote:
I was in Japan at the time of all the ceremony stuff last year. I assume if there was some kind of scroll/certificate, it was handed over then.
I have been attaching the results letter(s) to job applications. Is this enough, or has anyone experienced an employer requesting the actual certificate?
If it's not required, I don't really care about the certificate tbh, but could grab it from Gem-A next time I'm passing through the big town (is it free?).
Normally, if they have an address, they mail the Diploma to you.
Post subject: Re: Inconsistancys in gem-A's course notes and assignment qu
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 6:06 pm
Valued Contributor
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 8:29 am Posts: 123 Location: London
Yeah grading system is bit funny in those assignments, in the end you never know what you are going to get. I even started taking screenshots at a time but then how much are you going to argue about fraction of percent of the final score...Just keep learning for the final exams so you can show them. BTW I was one of those surprised theory B's at diploma exam and funny enough I got an A for practical with all positive ID's despite being far more scared of that part.
Post subject: Re: Inconsistancys in gem-A's course notes and assignment qu
Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 10:17 am
By the way, are we actually "gemmologists" now? Or do you have to do it professionally to be declared as such?
Are trained doctors doctors, if they decide not to become doctors? etc.
I feel stupid writing "gemmologist" (and never do; instead, I just write that I did an FGA), as it sounds like someone with no writing/acting credits referring to themselves as an "actor/writer", as they hope to be one in the future. However, it does sound pretty cool in a CV - even one tailored for another industry.
Post subject: Re: Inconsistancys in gem-A's course notes and assignment qu
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:21 pm
Valued Contributor
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:55 pm Posts: 179 Location: London, UK
If you had done the GIA and got a Graduate Gemologist then would you feel more like one? Maybe being a Fellow of Gem-A doesn't feel so vocational?
For what it's worth I spend most of my time feeling like a fraud whatever I do. Even when I was publically elected I still felt odd saying I was a politician whilst everyone else was merrily having their credit cards reissued to reflect it!
Post subject: Re: Inconsistancys in gem-A's course notes and assignment qu
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 11:47 pm
Moderator
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:42 pm Posts: 2846 Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
gempyrate wrote:
If you had done the GIA and got a Graduate Gemologist then would you feel more like one? Maybe being a Fellow of Gem-A doesn't feel so vocational?
For what it's worth I spend most of my time feeling like a fraud whatever I do. Even when I was publically elected I still felt odd saying I was a politician whilst everyone else was merrily having their credit cards reissued to reflect it!
They call that the "Imposter Syndrome", it's rather common sadly.
Post subject: Re: Inconsistancys in gem-A's course notes and assignment qu
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 2:41 pm
Got that certificate posted eventually. It's bloody massive.
The more I think about it, the more I think two grade B's might look a bit crap on the certificate to a recruiter who doesn't realise that basically everyone who passes an FGA diploma gets a B.
Was there a similar Foundation certificate? I got an A in that, so that might look nice between the bear's head and the fireplace.
Also, what is "Level 5"? Was the Foundation Level 4?
Are these levels in line with the other UK qualifications? GCSE = level 2 (etc.), and that kind of thing.
Post subject: Re: Inconsistancys in gem-A's course notes and assignment qu
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 10:46 am
Valued Contributor
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 8:29 am Posts: 123 Location: London
Not sure about the levels, probably UK education standards so there's some uniform scale to compare all those different schools.and not everybody gets Bs, my practical was an A
Post subject: Re: Inconsistancys in gem-A's course notes and assignment qu
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 8:51 pm
Moderator
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:42 pm Posts: 2846 Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Kyriakin wrote:
Got that certificate posted eventually. It's bloody massive.
The more I think about it, the more I think two grade B's might look a bit crap on the certificate to a recruiter who doesn't realise that basically everyone who passes an FGA diploma gets a B.
Was there a similar Foundation certificate? I got an A in that, so that might look nice between the bear's head and the fireplace.
Also, what is "Level 5"? Was the Foundation Level 4?
Are these levels in line with the other UK qualifications? GCSE = level 2 (etc.), and that kind of thing.
I think a recruiter will know the difference between the Foundation certificate and the Diploma. If you're worried about what it looks like on the wall, just put up the membership cert you get every year after paying.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum