The sad thing going around is that I'm pretty sure grades are more valued than knowledge that and networking.
The doors networking with people opens for you blows my mind. If you spend your college making friends and contacts instead of studying, you'll probably do well for yourself.
I know a bunch of people who only know enough to stumble by at a slow pace instead of actually knowing how to do their job. And this is why people who deserve promotions don't get them because their superiors' job security is being threatened. Hopefully this is a trend that decreases soon.
The problem is we've been indoctrinated to believe that just having good grades is enough to be successful. Making connections and having relevant experience has always been the reality.