MT. PLEASANT, Mich. (WNEM) – Central Michigan University believes its undergraduate students will get a job, or be in grad school within six months. So much so that it’s willing to pay students if they don’t.
It’s called the Central Career Guarantee.
“We are one of a few that are doing this, and then we’re the only one in Michigan that is doing it,” said Jennifer Dehaemers, vice president of student recruitment and retention at CMU.
The program will provide $2,000 to eligible students who don’t receive a job offer, or acceptance into graduate school within six months of graduation. The school said the money can be used to assist with student loan payments, a continued job or school search, or other needs, as well as career development.
“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.”
Starting in the fall 2026 semester, eligible undergraduate students will be able to opt into the program. Students will be required to complete several steps during each phase of the program, including meeting with career coaches and academic advisors, participating in career development activities, attending events, and more – on top of going to class regularly and engaging with instructors.
“They have to proactively opt into the program,” said Dehaemers. “Otherwise, if they don’t, and they don’t do the things that are laid out in our road map, we can’t necessarily guarantee that they’ve done everything to prepare themselves for grad school and employment.”
“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 results from the First Destination Survey {a national initiative that captures information about recent graduates’ career success}, we know that the majority of students who graduate from CMU are employed, continuing their education or engaged in service within six months of earning their degree.”
CMU graduates also earn 26% more than the national median within two years of graduation, according to data from Niche.com.
Dehaemers believes this program will improve enrollment as prospective students and their families look for a return on their investment into a college education that will pay for itself.
“We’re very excited about this what it can mean for students as a way to really engage them in a lot of behaviors that we know help make them successful,” said Dehaemers.
More details about the Central Career Guarantee are available here.
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