Central Michigan University today launched The Central Career Guarantee, becoming the first public university in Michigan to offer undergraduate students a promise of employment or graduate school within six months of earning their college degree.
“At CMU, we know that our approach to hands-on learning, leadership development and student success works. It’s why our students already enjoy a 94.3% Career Outcomes Rate, and why our alumni are leaders in their professions and in their communities,” said CMU President Neil MacKinnon. “We’re confident that we offer students an exceptional education that delivers real-world results, and now we guarantee it.”
A positive return on an investment in education
MacKinnon said CMU’s outstanding faculty provide students with access to the knowledge, skills and experience necessary for career success, and the university offers academic programs in high demand among employers in Michigan and beyond.
“Nationally, there’s a question about the value of a four-year degree that stems from the misconception that college doesn’t prepare students for careers – and that simply isn’t the case here,” MacKinnon said. “Based on First Destination Survey results, we know that most students who graduate from CMU are employed, continuing their education or engaged in service within six months.”
CMU graduates also earn 26% more than the national median within two years of graduation, according to data from Niche.com. The university is one of only four public institutions in Michigan to be named an Opportunity University by the Carnegie Classifications of Higher Education, highlighting CMU’s commitment to providing affordable, accessible higher education with outstanding career outcomes.
Jennifer DeHaemers, vice president for Student Recruitment and Retention, said The Central Career Guarantee is a response to the number one reason students and their families choose to pursue higher education: better job prospects.
“This is a major differentiator for CMU – a stake in the ground that proudly declares that what we do works for our students and graduates,” DeHaemers said.
Roadmap for Success: Understanding The Guarantee
Beginning in the fall semester, eligible main campus and online undergraduate students will be able to opt into the Central Career Guarantee program, which includes a series of steps — a roadmap — that must be completed by the student during each phase.
Participating students will complete steps such as meetings with career coaches and academic advisors, participation in success coaching and career development activities, attendance at a variety of university events, and more – on top of attending class regularly and engaging with their faculty instructors. DeHaemers said most students will need to spend about an hour a week completing The Guarantee requirements.
“The language of The Guarantee is new, but the student success supports and services behind the program are not,” DeHaemers said. “We know that increased engagement in the classroom, regular meetings with faculty instructors, academic advisors and career coaches, and frequent participation in career development activities help students land great jobs and great offers from graduate schools. With The Guarantee, we are ensuring that more CMU students are aware of and participating in everything the university has to offer.”
Any eligible student who does not receive a job offer or is not accepted into graduate or professional school within six months of graduation is eligible to receive: $2,000 of financial support to assist with student loan payments, a continued job search or other needs. Career Development Center services to help them refine their job search or assistance identifying graduate school programs they may be eligible to enter.
Learn more about The Central Career Guarantee
Incoming domestic first-year and new domestic transfer students, as well as current and returning domestic students, who have at least 60 hours remaining to complete their CMU undergraduate degree, will be eligible to participate in The Guarantee when it launches in the fall.
DeHaemers noted that students who choose not to opt in or who are ineligible for The Guarantee can still take full advantage of the supports and services offered through the program – they just will not qualify to receive financial assistance from The Guarantee after graduation.
“Every CMU student has access to the impactful resources CMU has to offer, and we hope that students who are not eligible will still choose to meet with their advisors, work with the Career Development Center, and participate in all the transformational activities available to them,” she said.
A strategic boost for enrollment
The concept for the Central Career Guarantee first emerged within the committees working on CMU’s Strategic Enrollment Management plan, DeHaemers said.
“As we discussed what truly differentiated CMU from other institutions, we saw our Career Outcomes Rate as a major focus,” DeHaemers said. “We know that CMU prepares students for in-demand careers, and we know that prospective students are very interested in seeing the connection between a college degree and their career trajectory. Student success and support are where CMU really shines.”
Implementing the Central Career Guarantee will not only attract new students, it will also help current students stay on track to graduation and ready for next-step success, DeHaemers said.
“Students participating in the Central Career Guarantee will have access to numerous academic, co-curricular and extracurricular support services,” DeHaemers said. “By surrounding students with the tools, resources and encouragement they need, CMU will ensure that more students stay on track to graduate and achieve their personal and professional goals.”
Delivering on the CMU mission
Preparing students for career success has been part of the university’s mission since its founding in 1892, when the Central Normal School and Business Institute first began training future teachers and business leaders.
“Our mission statement says, ‘Central Michigan University is defined by the success of our students and alumni, and by our collective impact with the communities we serve,’” MacKinnon said. “This Guarantee is an extension of that mission, demonstrating our commitment to ensuring that our students become successful alumni, serving as leaders in their professions and in their communities.”