Walking Beside Students Every Step of the Way: Carolyn Miller’s Impact at Pershing High School

Watch Carolyn's inspiring testimonial here.

For Carolyn Miller, being a Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) specialist isn’t just a job — it’s a calling. Every day at Pershing High School, a program of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, she shows up not just to teach skills but to walk alongside her students as they navigate some of the most important years of their lives.

“I’m concerned about where they’re going, and I’m not just checking off a box,” Carolyn says. “They see a lot of people come through for their own credit before walking away. I don’t walk away.”

Carolyn’s work is rooted in trust, connection, and persistence. She sees JMG as more than a program — it’s a commitment to making sure youth know they have someone in their corner, no matter what. Through her JMG classroom, she equips students with essential skills like financial literacy, emotional regulation, and what she lovingly calls “Adulting 101,” while also providing valuable career development guidance.

“A lot of what Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates is,” she explains, “is students feeling they have somebody walking them through their adulthood years.”

This approach changes lives. By giving students tools, knowledge, and confidence, Carolyn helps them envision futures they never thought possible. “The confidence level for them comes from having knowledge, understanding what their future might bring, and having tools to make decisions they wouldn’t have had if they hadn’t participated in JMG,” she says.

Recently, Carolyn was honored with the 2025 JMG Sterling Service Award, recognizing her more than 10 years of service and the immeasurable impact she’s had on her students. But for Carolyn, the true reward is seeing her students succeed — not just in school, but in life. “I was made to do this,” she reflects.

Click here to watch Carolyn's story in her own words.