91ÁÔÆæ

Choosing a college major can feel like a high-stakes decision, especially for a high school student who is still figuring out a path for the future. How can parents help students explore their options without adding pressure?

In a conversation with , Jeff Reep, Associate Professor of Exercise Science and former Director of Career Services at 91ÁÔÆæ, shares advice to help students discover their God-given gifts and explore potential careers that honor the Lord.

His encouragement to families is simple: When it comes to choosing a major, it's better to get it right than to get it fast.

Timestamps

• – Helping Students Discover Their Calling
• – Choosing the Right College Major
• – Helping Your Child Discern Their Gifts
• – Exploring Careers Before Choosing a Major
• – Job Shadowing and Real-World Experience
• – How Has God Wired Your Student?
• – What To Do Before Declaring a Major
• – Using Dual Enrollment to Explore Majors
• – What Parents Should Look for in a College
• – Career Services, Outcomes, and Employers
• – Making Sure Dual Enrollment Credits Transfer
• – Encouragement for Undecided Students
• – One Important Question to Ask Colleges
• – Final Encouragement for Parents

Start With How God Has Wired Your Student

Students are often asked, "What are you going to major in?" before they have an answer. The pressure to know where they're headed career-wise can lead them to choose a major without considering if it's a good fit.

Instead, Jeff encourages families to start with how God has uniquely wired the student. What are they good at? What do they enjoy? Where have you seen their natural abilities emerge?

While parents can offer valuable perspectives for their students, the goal should never be to make the decision for them. Ask questions, share what you've observed, and help them make an informed decision.

Explore Before Choosing a Major

Students don't have to figure everything out at once. Jeff recommends exploring possibilities through:

• Career assessments
• Job shadowing
• Internships and summer jobs
• Conversations with professionals
• Academic camps
• Researching actual job descriptions and career opportunities

Real-world experience can be especially valuable, as a student may discover that a career they thought they'd love isn't what they expected. On the flip side, they might learn about a new field they'd never considered before.

As Jeff points out, discoveries like those are much less expensive during a week of exploration than several semesters into college.

Consider Dual Enrollment as a Tool for Exploration

Another good option Jeff and Heidi discuss is dual enrollment. It's not just a way to earn college credit in high school; it can also help students explore potential majors.

A student interested in engineering, education, psychology, or another field might take an introductory course to see if the subject is a good fit. Those credits may also create greater flexibility in their college schedule for electives, minors, or a second major.

Cedarville's Dual Enrollment program allows high school students to earn college credit while taking courses taught from a distinctly biblical worldview.

Explore Cedarville's Dual Enrollment options.

One important caution: Before taking a dual enrollment course, ask prospective colleges whether the course will fulfill a specific degree requirement — not simply whether the university will "accept" the credit.

Ask the Right Questions When Choosing a College

The major your student chooses is only part of the decision. It is important for families to carefully evaluate where their student will spend these formative years.

Take the time to consider the university's biblical commitments and campus culture. Make sure to also investigate how well it will prepare students for life after graduation.

Ask questions like:

• Where are graduates working or attending graduate school?
• What career services are available?
• Which employers recruit students on campus?
• Are internships and professional experiences available?
• How is career preparation integrated into the curriculum?
• Are career services still available after graduation?

Visiting the campus can help answer a lot of these questions. Attend a class you're interested in or go to chapel. Seek out faculty and students to talk to and experience the community firsthand.

Plan a visit to 91ÁÔÆæ and see what makes our distinctly Christian community different.

Look Beyond the Degree

At Cedarville, career preparation is more than just helping students land their first job. Career Services works alongside academic programs to equip students with practical skills through résumé reviews, mock interviews, career fairs, and LinkedIn development.

Jeff reminds families that their students will spend a significant portion of their adult lives at work. Because of this, a career isn't simply a way to earn an income; it's an opportunity to use God-given abilities to serve others.

One Question Parents Should Ask

If your student isn't sure about a major, Jeff recommends asking prospective colleges an often-overlooked question:

"Which majors at your university do students need to begin on day one if they want to graduate on time?"

Some highly structured programs require students to begin specific coursework during their first semester. It is vital to know that before enrolling so that students can keep their options open and avoid unintentionally adding time to their degrees.

Give Your Student Time to Discern

Your teenager doesn't need to have their entire future mapped out today.

Encourage your student to gather information, gain real-world experience, and pray for God's direction. Changing course isn't necessarily a setback. Sometimes discovering what isn't a good fit is an important step toward discovering what is.

The college search is more than simply choosing a major that leads to a good job. It's an opportunity for your student to understand how God has uniquely designed them and prepare to use those gifts for a lifetime of meaningful work and Kingdom impact.

Explore Cedarville's academic programs and discover how your student can pursue academic excellence, grow in their walk with Christ, and prepare for their future.