Engineering Solutions for Divergent Minds

I help technical minds stop falling behind by debugging systems that don't work and building ones that do.

Stop Falling Behind

Many highly intelligent and highly capable people rely on talent until the workload becomes too much for their systems to handle. I help build the systems necessary to stabilize your performance so you can focus on your work instead of just trying to survive it.

A black circuit board with shiny copper details.

Results

I've helped students return to college after medical leave, develop systems to channel their ideas into real output, and manage their perfectionism. By focusing on sustainable workflows and long term independence, I ensure my students build the foundation for a successful career in a technical field.

A close up headshot of Cara Mawson, founder of Engineering Solutions for Divergent Minds. She is outside, smiling in front of flowers.

Cara Mawson

I am a trained executive functioning coach with a B.S. in Physics and a Master’s in Engineering. My background includes over eight years of teaching and research focused on disability in STEM and academic motivation. I help design the systems that highly capable students and professionals need to move past the myth of laziness and practice their fields sustainably. Learn more about my journey here.

How can I help?

Thanks for booking!

What to Expect
Show up, build systems with me, and make progress. No need to prep for your first sessions.Cancellations
Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours notice are non-refundable.Disclaimer
Engineering Solutions for Divergent Minds services are purely for educational purposes. If you're navigating a mental health concern, please contact a licensed mental health professional.See you soon!

A pencil sitting on top of a black and white drawing.

Executive Functioning Support for Twice Exceptional Students

Who I Work With
Students in technical fields that are being held back by their executive dysfunction.How I Help
1:1 sessions with support in between, systems that build independence, and coordination with their support team with consent.My Background
I trained as an executive functioning coach in 2022 after a concussion made my graduate research feel impossible. I’ve also spent the last decade teaching in inclusive classrooms, publishing research on academic motivation and the experiences of college students with disabilities, developing state-accredited professional development for educators, and leading communities of practice for educators and community volunteers interested in equity-based STEM education. Learn more about my journey here.Safety
The work done here is educational and not a substitute for therapy or behavioral healthcare. All information shared during sessions is confidential. Data is stored compliant with HIPAA and personal health information is de-identified.

The Process

Intake
I gather information on your student's academic history, start building an understanding of their experience, and establish goals for our partnership.Discovery
I work with your student to find their biggest friction points. We dive into their syllabi and assignments to understand the work ahead.Design
Once we've defined the problems and understand our goals, we begin designing a sustainable workflow so your student doesn't have to fall behind again.Implementation
We implement, we iterate, we optimize.

Resources

Finch
Self Care and Habit Building

Anki
Flashcards Optimized for How the Brain Learns

Forest
Grow Trees While You Work

Study With Me
Aesthetic Pomodoro Timer

Silent Timer
Distraction Free, Silent Timer

Click Below to Read a 5 Minute Parent's Guide to Executive Dysfunction in Engineering

Executive Functioning Support for Your Clients

Who I Work With
4th Grade - College students that are being held back by their executive dysfunction, perfectionism, and chronic overwhelm. I specialize in supporting students interested in STEM and project intensive majors.My Background
I trained as an executive functioning coach in 2022 after a concussion made my graduate research feel impossible. I’ve also spent the last decade teaching in inclusive classrooms, publishing research on academic motivation and the experiences of college students with disabilities, developing state-accredited professional development for educators, and leading communities of practice for educators and community volunteers interested in equity-based STEM education. Learn more about my journey and research here.How I Help
1:1 sessions with support in between, systems that build independence, and coordination with their support team with consent. Focus areas include task initiation, time and energy management, perfectionism and procrastination, flexibility, and persistence.Safety
The work done here is educational and not a substitute for therapy or behavioral healthcare. All information shared during sessions is confidential. Data is stored compliant with HIPAA and personal health information is de-identified.

A watercolor image of a factory where orange robots are assembling a white vehicle.

About Me

Video

Research Background
I started my career doing research in biophysics and planetary science and pivoted to experiential engineering education and disability studies during graduate school. I researched academic motivation as well as the experiences of students with non-apparent disabilities navigating engineering education.Equitable STEM Education
My background includes teaching in inclusive classrooms, designing STEM curriculum, and training STEM educators. I created state-accredited professional development for educators and the Community Gamechangers program for Pittsburgh and Baltimore community educators through the NSF Rec2Tech grant.Executive Functioning Coaching
I trained as an executive functioning coach after having to take a break from my graduate studies due to a concussion that made reading and writing difficult. As a coach, my work is solutions-oriented, practical, and empowering.

Executive Functioning Support for Twice Exceptional Students

Who I Work With
Students 4th Grade - College and young professionals in technical fields that are being held back by their executive dysfunction.How I Help
1:1 sessions with support in between, systems that build independence, and coordination with their support team with consent. Read more about my process here.Safety
The work done here is educational and not a substitute for therapy or behavioral healthcare. All information shared during sessions is confidential. Data is stored compliant with HIPAA and personal health information is de-identified.

The Process

Intake
I gather information on your student's academic history, start building an understanding of their experience, and establish goals for our partnership.Discovery
I work with your student to find their biggest friction points. We dive into their syllabi and assignments to understand the work ahead.Design
Once we've defined the problems and understand our goals, we begin designing a sustainable workflow so your student doesn't have to fall behind again.Implementation
We implement, we iterate, we optimize.

A collection of office supplies, black and white with gold accents, sitting on top of a light gray background.

Resources

Finch
Self Care and Habit Building

Anki
Flashcards Optimized for How the Brain Learns

Forest
Grow Trees While You Work

Study With Me
Aesthetic Pomodoro Timer

Silent Timer
Distraction Free, Silent Timer

Study Timer

Study Timer

Workspace Setup

25:00
/* ================= CHECKLIST ================= */ const checks = document.querySelectorAll('.check'); const progressBox = document.getElementById('progressBox'); const progressText = document.getElementById('progressText'); const progressBar = document.getElementById('progressBar'); checks.forEach(box => { box.addEventListener('change', () => { const checked = document.querySelectorAll('.check:checked').length; const total = checks.length; progressBox.classList.toggle('hidden', checked === 0); progressText.textContent = `${checked}/${total}`; progressBar.style.width = (checked / total * 100) + '%'; }); }); /* ================= TIMER ================= */ let totalTime = 1500; let seconds = 1500; let interval = null; let running = false; const display = document.getElementById('timerDisplay'); const timerBar = document.getElementById('timerBar'); const startBtn = document.getElementById('startBtn'); function formatTime(s) { const m = Math.floor(s / 60); const sec = s % 60; return `${String(m).padStart(2,'0')}:${String(sec).padStart(2,'0')}`; } function updateDisplay() { display.textContent = formatTime(seconds); } function updateBar() { const percent = (seconds / totalTime) * 100; timerBar.style.width = percent + '%'; } function toggleTimer() { if (running) { clearInterval(interval); running = false; startBtn.textContent = "Start"; return; } running = true; startBtn.textContent = "Pause"; interval = setInterval(() => { if (seconds <= 0) { clearInterval(interval); running = false; startBtn.textContent = "Start"; alert("⏰ Time's up!"); return; } seconds--; updateDisplay(); updateBar(); }, 1000); } function resetTimer(time = 1500) { clearInterval(interval); running = false; totalTime = time; seconds = time; updateDisplay(); updateBar(); startBtn.textContent = "Start"; } /* EVENTS */ startBtn.onclick = toggleTimer; document.getElementById('resetBtn').onclick = () => resetTimer(); document.querySelectorAll('.preset').forEach(btn => { btn.onclick = () => resetTimer(parseInt(btn.dataset.time)); }); /* INIT */ updateDisplay(); updateBar();

Resources

Finch
Self Care and Habit Building

Anki
Flashcards Optimized for How the Brain Learns

Forest
Grow Trees While You Work

Study With Me
Aesthetic Pomodoro Timer

Silent Timer
Distraction Free, Silent Timer

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel has systems to support students with disabilities in their academics and co-ops. You can also find an elevated support through their CAN program (more information found below).Register With Disability Resources
It can take a few days to a couple weeks to have your accommodations processed and put into place. Register with Drexel's Clockwork Portal and fill out your student request form before you need them!Be sure to renew your accommodations through Clockwork every semester!Reach out to Drexel's Disability ResourcesWalk in Hours are available at Drexel's Disability Resources during the week, Monday through Thursday 1pm-2pm.For academic resources and co-ops at other locations -
[email protected]For co-ops hired at Drexel - [email protected]

Higher Levels of Support

Drexel has the Center for Autism and Neurodiversity (CAN) which provides specialized support for a fee. You may be able to find funding support through your state's disability and vocational rehabilitation services (PA | NJ | DE)