Rivier University is putting their money where its mouth is and guaranteeing that graduates will find jobs within nine months.

Photographer: Michael L Rixon

Students at this university may be a little less stressed when they graduate and enter the ever-changing job market.

Rivier University is gambling on the fact that graduates will find jobs through its Employment Promise Program. If an "invested" student doesn't find a job within 9 months after leaving the school, they will either pay their loans for a year or offer them graduate courses for free.

The program starts for full-time undergraduates beginning with the Class of 2020. There are a few hoops to jump through, but it looks like the program is pretty legit for students. Here are the details:

"The program includes mentorship through Rivier’s Career Development Center, a contract outlining investment goals and expectations, and specialized, four-year academic and career action plans which incorporate a set of experiences proven to enhance overall employability and success in the job search process. Career investment goals include graduating with a bachelor’s degree and minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, involvement in leadership, community service and internship experiences, and participation in career counseling and professional development opportunities. These opportunities include participation in career assessment evaluations, mentorship, research and field experiences, internships, resume and portfolio building, and employer information sessions."

“Students create a pathway to successful careers through a combination of opportunity and self-investment,” says Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President. “Rivier University provides the academic rigor, values, and professional skill set to fully prepare graduates to enter the 21st century workforce. We are confident that participation in this program will make our students uniquely qualified for employment in this competitive environment.”

Sounds good to me. I have enough friends who complain about their respective school doing nothing to better their chances of landing a job after graduating. Many graduates have diplomas that are little more than really expensive wall decorations.

Maybe this is a first step to higher education being focused more on placing young adults into jobs, not just soaking up their money. We will see how successful this effort turns out to be in the coming years, but I'll keep my fingers crossed. Find out more on their website.