The public media initiative American Graduate was launched in 2011 to help young people stay on a path to a high school diploma and has since evolved into explaining career pathways for students exploring all types of postsecondary education and employment. 
Since the initiative started, public media played a significant role in raising awareness and highlighting solutions as the country increased its high school graduation rate. In 12 years, more than 125 local stations, 40 national producers, and 1,700 local and national partner organizations became part of the American Graduate initiative.

Public media’s content, combined with community public forums and town halls, has increased awareness among national and local leaders from the public and private sectors and inspired them to collaborate and partner with public media.
This initiative attracts students, teachers, parents, and mentors, who all work together as champions on behalf of young people at a formative point in their lives.

Now, American Graduate: Jobs Explained is exploring how to meet students where they are with the information that they need to make informed choices about their future past high school, all with the help of public media stations and the community at large. American Graduate: Jobs Explained is led by The WNET Group with support from CPB.