The 50/50 University Model that Leaves Grads with 2.5 Years of Work Experience and $75k
Dr. Robert McMahan, President of Kettering University
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Is the traditional university model failing today’s students—and the industries that depend on them?
In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down with Dr. Robert McMahan, President of Kettering University, to explore a bold, workforce-driven vision for higher education. McMahan brings a remarkable background in venture capital, science policy, and university leadership to the conversation, and he doesn’t hold back in his critique of the status quo.
From co-op rotations that give students 2.5 years of paid, professional experience before graduation, to integrating trends like artificial intelligence and sustainability across all disciplines, McMahan outlines what it takes to future-proof students for a rapidly evolving economy—and why most institutions will fall behind if they don’t evolve now.
In this episode:
- Why Kettering students graduate with 2.5 years of paid, full-time professional experience—and often earn $75,000+ before they even walk the stage
- How a 12-week rotation model between classroom and career builds both technical mastery and real-world adaptability
- What five interdisciplinary trends are shaping the future of Kettering’s curriculum
- Why McMahan says the real customer of higher education isn’t the student or their family—and how that changes how we deliver learning
3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:
1. Kettering University’s 50/50 model gives students 2.5 years of paid, professional work experience
Through alternating 12-week rotations between classroom and career, students graduate with a résumé that rivals experienced professionals—and often $75,000+ in earnings.
2. The university continuously evolves its curriculum around five workplace-driven trends
Every discipline includes elements of advanced mobility, sustainable energy, intelligent manufacturing, AI, and new engineering vehicles—keeping students aligned with real-world needs.
3. McMahan redefines who the true customer of higher education is
It’s not just the student—it’s the employer who hires them. By working with over 450 industry partners, Kettering ensures its grads are future-ready and in high demand.
Resources in this Episode:
Learn more about Kettering University's model: https://www.kettering.edu/co-op-experience
See what companies have partnered with Kettering.
Read Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope and the Human Spirit by Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt and Craig Mundie
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