I hire people where i work amd when i do i dont look at what school or what grades i look at all the other things. For me getting a degree shows me interest amd enough drive to finish or accomplish something. Its all the other work related things i use as a basis of how they apply that. And secomd did they move up, that shows a willingness to do whats needed by that employer to move up in rank. So its not one or the other its a combo of both. Dont focus on grades though its overrated.
And this is the right approach, I know many people with average performance at school and university, but in fact they are excellent specialists who love what they do. Often teachers are to blame, because they are biased and they can have conflicts with students, and then this affects grades. Although is this considered objective justice? No. While other students can be given higher grades, for example girls, because they are very polite and pleasant to talk to. But when it comes to real work, their eyes are wide open and they become paralyzed. I mean their complete lack of practical skills.