by Leah Libresco Sargeant (@LeahLibresco)
Almost every college has a career counseling office to give students a way to learn about their possible futures. The career office hosts informational sessions with recruiters and alumni to give a portrait of a field. Counselors read over resumes and compile lists of internships. My alma mater even connected me with a DC-based alumna who was willing to host me in her basement for a summer so I could save on housing. But there’s a missing, complementary office that colleges should run for their students’ benefit—an Office of Marriage Prep would let students plan for career and family in tandem.
Familyandcareerplanningshouldgotogether,butcollegesusuallyactasthoughonlyjobplanningrequiresdeliberatestudyandexecution.However,familydoesnotmagicallycometogetheronitsown.Evensingleyoungadultswhohopetogetmarriedarestrugglingtoconnectwithpotentialspouses.Asthe 2025NationalDatingLandscapesurvey reveals,only31%ofmarriage-mindedyoungadults(ages22–35)aredating.Onlyalittlemorethanathird(37%)oftheseyoungadultsfeeltheycantrusttheirownjudgmentaboutpotenti
