OVERVIEW | EDUCATION | EARLY CAREER | WORDWEAVERDESIGN.COM
Supporting families with college & early career research and coordination
Researching options and considering potential career paths following high school can involve immense time and energy. Many families struggle with the reality that college and vocational programs’ costs are increasing. With the impact of artificial intelligence on future career prospects, families want to make informed decisions. Seeking out college admission support for gathering information and data should not entail a $7,000 investment with a private consultant. Many families only need support at certain stages in the process. Our goal is to provide an affordable alternative focused on exclusively researching and essay development and review. Opportunities for research and coordination partnerships also are available to support students who are considering internships, study abroad options, vocational opportunities, and early career choices.
Comparing research and data so families make informed decisions
The college research process often starts with students building lists of programs using Naviance or Schoolinks, and watching tours online. Geography, test scores, and logistics can impact choices as well. We partner with families and help students stay on track. We help families research and compare options using customized spreadsheets that aggregate data from sources like Common Data Sets, university dashboards, and housing info. Using a list of five to 10 schools, we can coordinate the process and help families analyze compare options.
Streamlining the college essay process with spreadsheets and a framework
Preparing for and writing college admission essays takes time and planning. Once a student has a list of target schools, a spreadsheet can compare essay writing requirements and reveal similarities and differences between essay prompt requirements. This approach minimizes students from feeling overwhelmed, it saves time, and streamlines the writing process by allowing students to repurpose and adapt content efficiently. Some college essay documents can exceed 25 pages, combined, when a student applies to 10 or more schools. Developing a system that offers efficiency and builds on combined efforts is essential.
Developing confidence in writing & organization starts with relationships
How does a writing coach assist students? We live in a world dominated by technology. Instructional delivery of grammar, writing, and research can be conventional and rote. Learning occurs through the relationship that develops when a mentor or writing coach collaborates with a student. Each student has a unique learning style and executive function skills. A writing coach helps students by providing personalized guidance, setting timelines and goals, and assisting with brainstorming, synthesis, and revision. This mentorship builds confidence and teaches valuable skills for research and writing projects beyond college applications.
Technology impacts student confidence & essay approaches
How people communicate is evolving due to the immense impact of technology and artificial intelligence applications. Being aware of positives and negatives and managing change is essential. It is important to reinforce the necessity for clarity, accuracy, and factual-based research. While AI can help with the research and editing process, a student must develop confidence in his or her own ability to research and synthesize information. The skills developed during the admission process can be utilized in other academic areas as well.
Supporting students with internship & early career searches
Finding an internship or apprenticeship while managing school can be very challenging. Transportation access, short-term housing costs, and employment timelines can impact the search process. Having a partner in this search can be beneficial. An organized spreadsheet that tracks potential roles that is updated weekly is an essential tool. It keeps students organized, accountable and persistent in their searches. Similar to the college research process, we offer research services, accountability and support with internship and early career research.
RESEARCH FOCUS: COLLEGE & CAREER SERVICES
Post-secondary opportunities offered by universities and other early career development programs require students and their families to do their homework. From study abroad programs to off-campus housing, researching options and comparing costs, timelines, deadlines, and the fine print takes time. We love to apply first-hand family experience and foundational knowledge and help families explore options.
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING RESEARCH
OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING RESEARCH
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM RESEARCH
INTERNSHIP & EARLY CAREER RESEARCH
BUSINESS SCHOOL RESEARCH
ENGINEERING SCHOOL RESEARCH
LEARN MORE ABOUT WORDWEAVERDESIGN
Please click on the links below to learn more and access each page.
VIEW RESEARCH | CONTENT
In-depth research & analysis empower audiences. Foundational knowledge of an industry assists with developing storytelling solutions. Every sector benefits from visual storytelling devices that offer context & clarity. VIEW RESEARCH | CONTENT.
VIEW INFORMATION DESIGN | DATA
Information design forges a connection with audiences. It offers context and analysis that is accessible. Information graphics have the power to dispel preconceived assumptions by presenting facts and data. VIEW DESIGN | DATA.
ACCESS SPREADSHEET TEMPLATES
We offer free spreadsheet templates for families seeking education and early career support. Families can use a template as a framework for their own research. Or we work with families and research academic and campus life areas for them. Please request free templates using the CONTACT form.
| University on-campus housing options (university contract) spreadsheet comparison. |
| University off-campus housing options (corporate and private lease) spreadsheet comparison. |
| Admissions standards and Common Data Set focus areas for university admission spreadsheet comparison. |
| Admission essay questions and scholarship essay question with shared content spreadsheet comparison. |
| Spreadsheet tracking internship and full-time roles, applications, and campus recruitment. |
| Comparison of university study abroad options, flight costs, timelines, locations, and other details. |
© CONTENT, DESIGN & IMAGES BY MELISSA NAGY DEEGAN. ADDITIONAL IMAGES: ADOBE STOCK, MICROSOFT & SOURCE WEBSITES.
RESEARCH | CONTENT
| SUBJECT-MATTER INTERVIEWING |
| Website, blogs & e-news content |
| Editorial calendar development |
| Social media content & MANAGEMENT |
| Census & demographic data research |
| Economic & financial data research |
| FOIA research & inquiry |
DESIGN | DATA
| Bar, fever, pie, column & line charts |
| Data analysis & Pivot Tables |
| TIMELINES, FLOW CHARTS & MAPPING |
| POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS |
| BRANDING, CORPORATE IDENTITY & SIGNS |
| NEWSLETTERS, PUBLICATIONS & REPORTS |
EDUCATION | CAREER
| College admission research & spreadsheets |
| Common Data Set (CDS) research |
| HOUSING, TRANSIT & MERIT AID RESEARCH |
| College essay & scholarship coaching |
| Internship & early career search |
| Vocational & trade apprenticeship search |
| JUNIOR HIGH | HIGH SCHOOL GRAMMAR & ESSAYS |
PORTFOLIO | PROPOSALS
Due to copyright restrictions and the range of available portfolio samples, please share your communications needs via the inquiry form for portfolio access. We are happy to share samples, ideas, and offer a one-page project proposal.
MEETINGS
We meet with prospective clients in the western suburbs of Chicago, the Loop, and throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. For remote meetings with national and international clients who reside outside the Chicago area, we can utilize Teams, Discord, and Zoom for screen sharing.
Thank you for your interest. Affordable and approachable ideas make great storytelling accessible. Please submit your contact information and a brief description of your needs using the contact form on the About page. Use this form to receive a one-page project proposal and request access to spreadsheet templates for college & early career services. Portfolio access is also granted via the contact form.