A Letter to New Friends

Hello friends,

My name is Jessica McLeod-Waddell, but you can just call me Jess. I am a writer, educator, and a lover of warm, comforting beverages. In my career coaching practice, I help students and professionals use writing to discover, articulate, and confidently tell their professional story in a space grounded in curiosity, reflection, and authentic self-expression.

I am a Certified Professional Career Coach and I currently work at an R1 University as a Career Consultant, where I coach students through their career development. This support ranges from guiding 1:1 coaching conversations to providing feedback on application materials including resumes and personal statements. In addition to my 8 years of work in Higher Education, I have years of 10+ experience as a freelance editor and writing coach, consulting on novels, plays, and more. Helping people in my community discover and tell their story — professional and creative — is my mission as an educator.

On this site you will find examples of my own writing as well as content pertaining to the art of writing. As you explore my work and resources on this site, I hope you feel seen, heard, and supported. My goal is to make this community cozy and welcoming – like a warm cup of coffee or tea. Happy exploring — salut!

I am educator, but I am also a life-ling learner. I received my B.A. in English from the University of Georgia in 2017, my M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University in 2020, and my M.A. in Professional Writing from Kennesaw State University in 2025. And as if that isn’t enough schooling for a lifetime, I am working on my PhD in English at the University of Georgia. What can I say? I’m addicted to learning. Which is no surprise given that my career is rooted in education.

If you want to know more about me or are interested in setting up a chat about your professional journey, feel free to reach out at jmwwriting@gmail.com or send me a message on instagram @jmwwriting.