When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Some might believe this is a cliche. Truism or not, these lines could not have been more accurate in describing my encounter with Shawn Treadgill and my weekly sessions with him. Not a youngster, in fact quite a few years older than this mentor, I had reached a crossroads in my professional and, in some ways, personal life. A college friend of long ago, who found himself in a similar situation, recommended I contact Bricolage. I did not know what a career coach was. I had all kinds of preconceived ideas. I thought Bricolage would help me get my resume together to transition from my present job of 25 years, which it was clear I was about to lose. These naive expectations could not have been further from the truth. From the beginning, I would work in weekly sessions that included demanding mental and physical exercises. I would come to understand why I interact with my environment and others as I do. The implicit and then stated goals were nothing short of a full-fledged personal transformation. Things that I vaguely knew to be true were skillfully drawn out of me with great clarity, to examine, but more–to feel. To enlighten. To dream. Shawn was essential in putting me on the path to new dreams, new expectations, new realities. These are not pipe dreams or the meaningless spewings from a smokestack. These new dreams, expectations, and realities are grounded in universal principals. Since I am not a fast learner, I gradually came to grasp the interconnection between mind and body, and the even less-tangible connection between mind and soul–to find the Real Me; to point this new person in the right direction. Lest this sound like one of those makeover shows on TV, let me emphasize the process is arduous and far from complete. But change, Shawn points out, is not difficult. It is a challenge. My Bricolage sessions changed my views of myself as well as my career path. As William Carlos Williams wrote, “A new world is only a new mind.” Shawn Treadgill is not a cheerleader. A Buddhist, which I was not and am not, Shawn is a vital teacher who works with sensitivity with one’s innermost talents. These are the talents and positive qualities one does not even know are there, even, as in my case, after more than a half-century of living with oneself. A lot of baggage is checked at the door. For me, Shawn and the mission of Bricolage are the best. I plan to sign up for another session.
E.L.

“I found out a couple days ago that I got the internship I interviewed for the day after we met to discuss my resume.  They said they were looking for a senior (which I’m not) but that they were all (I met with 4 different people) so impressed with my interviews that they decided I was best for the position.  Thank you for your help, your class taught me a lot of practical interviewing skills.”
Marissa Paulson, NYU Student

“I’ve thought about my process with Shawn Threadgill, and try as I may, i still can not describe it exactly. What takes place in this process is beyond the mere meeting of two minds. Think if you will, of the possibility of bringing a friend along through your own personal dreamscape, on an adventure of discovery and rediscovery. This imagery, perhaps, can begin to describe the magic.”
Fanny Ferreira

“Shawn is a wonderful force in anyone’s life. His non-judgmental attitude makes it possible to get help when you need it and remain positive about where you are and where you want to be.”
Maggie Maes, Artistic Director, Actors Loft Theatre Co.

“Professor Threadgill, I want to thank you for encouraging me to pursue my “out there” dream. I sat down to write a story today, and it hit me why I really write. My reason is similar to the one that you gave in class, when we were discussing our reasons for choosing our career paths. I’m also afraid. Whenever I finish writing a story, I’m afraid that I won’t be able to do it again. So I guess I write to prove that I can. Thank you for everything.”
Cattleya M Concepcion, NYU Student

“I was a senior student in the October-December 2003 section of your interviewing strategies class.  I enjoyed the course immensely, and I wanted to let you know that it has been invaluable to my career success.  After spending about a month and a half looking for jobs prior to graduation (and using every bit of information and advice you offered throughout the course) I was offered three positions in may, all in my industry of choice and at good salaries.  I was actually able to choose which job I wanted!  Thank you so much for all your help and the enthusiasm you brought to the course.  I especially found the resume-building tasks and interview advice (questions to ask, verbal and nonverbal cues to be conscious of, etc) most helpful, and I have passed on your lessons to numerous others. Please know that your efforts have had an exponential positive and successful effect.”
Cara Gouldey, Ex-NYU Student

“The clear, direct, honest and compassionate ways that Shawn works brought to light my confusion and made clear and more attainable my life’s goals”
Dean Curtis Keith, Musician

“Dear Professor Threadgill, I don’t know if you remember me, but I was in your class for the first half of this semester. I chose Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison LLP (law firm) as the position I was aiming for, and immediately after our last class, I received a voice message from the manager for their corporate paralegal department! To make a long story short, I interviewed, got the job and I start in July! Thanks for all your help and good luck with the rest of the semester.”
Charlene Kwan, NYU Student

“Shawn, as a life coach, helped me find the strength and love inside myself. I now have a new zest for life and I feel so much better about what I am able to accomplish.”
Don Nickolson, Restaurant Manager