"When I was starting out, I knew I wanted to work in the film industry but had no idea where to begin. I didn’t know how to make a short film, how to structure an idea, or what the first step even looked like. Mrs. Thifault guided me through the entire process. She helped me apply to multiple film schools, teaching me how to create a storyboard, develop a strong concept, and take action even when I felt unsure. That foundation helped me attend my dream school, Emerson College, and truly marked the beginning of my path as a filmmaker.

 

From my senior year of high school through college, she continued to motivate and guide me in the exact moments I needed clarity. On long walks together, I had the space to share my thoughts, ideas, and ambitions. I’ve always had big ideas, but I didn’t always know how to organize them or what direction to take. She helped me break everything down, recognize my strengths, and understand a realistic

path forward.

 

She even provided concrete tools, like written guidelines outlining actionable next steps, to build my business and connected me with people in my community who could support my growth.

 

What I valued most about our walks was how she listened first, then offered guidance that felt personal, grounded, and genuinely achievable. She pushed me to sharpen my goals and build confidence in myself as an emerging filmmaker.

 

Since working with Mrs. Thifault, I’ve grown creatively, launched new projects, and taken on opportunities I once would have hesitated to pursue. I graduated from Emerson College in May 2025, and I am now a lead Producer on a six-figure Sci-Fi Fantasy web series, and launching

my own production company. Starting out can feel overwhelming, but having Mrs. Thifault as a creative mentor made the process manageable. She helped me trust my ideas and believe in my potential!

 

Lauren “Ren” Szwed

@renszwed on Instagram & TikTok

laurenszwed@gmail.com"

You have always been a voice for me - pushing me to think creatively and seeing my potential before I even saw it for myself! I'll never forget the day when you came with me to my first "paid" photography session - I had to start somewhere, and I remember charging $50 - which I did not think I was worthy of receiving, but you saw my worth and value. You knew I would create beautiful images for the family I was capturing and  more importantly create an experience for them, rather than just a simple photo session. We worked together putting the images onto a CD and making the presentation beautiful.

 

From that moment forward, it was about the experience and connection that made all the difference and set me apart from other photographers. You guide all of your mentees with this philosophy - you see their potential and have them search for connection. This connection is how all of your mentees serve their clients (and themselves!) because you have instilled the importance of how we all share commonalities. It's fascinating and such a unique talent you have that you are able to guide so many different types of artists, visionaries and creatives - your positivity, kindness, and truly just being the biggest cheerleader has changed all those who are lucky enough to be guided by you! I was able to leave my corporate job and work for myself as a photographer.

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I started "taking pictures" in 2014 and left my corporate job in 2019 - I didn't even blink when I left my job because I had already built up the confidence from years of working with you. I never looked back. It was made easier because I knew I always had you to help, so the "big steps" never felt as scary with you in my corner rooting for me. The core of my business is still connection - for every new idea I incorporate I always come back to "connection" which is the WHY of my business 

 

I think it's also so important to note that this idea of connection has made my job so fulfilling - I am able to create in a way that intertwines my personal life & business life which makes my work even more meaningful for me. 

 

www.lindsayconnors.com

lindsay@lindsayconnors.com

instagram: lindsay.connors

 

Lindsay Connors Photography - photographing light-filled weddings & family sessions in New England and beyond

When I first met Susan, I was finishing up my junior year of high school, and I had applied to the Yearbook Committee for my senior year. I always knew I was good at writing, but I never felt like I had a place to exercise my creative side or what I wanted to do with that skill in the future. Working alongside Susan for the entirety of my senior year, she helped me find where my passion was, ultimately leading to me pursuing a degree in journalism at Northeastern.

 

Susan set me up for success entering college, as she encouraged me to start making connections and getting involved locally. I began writing for the Daily Times Chronicle in Woburn, spotlighting graduating seniors and compiling weekly updates on high school happenings. This experience prepared me for my journalism classes, as I already had real-world experience and a portfolio before even stepping foot on a college campus. 

 

Throughout my time at Northeastern, Susan remained a consistent support system, often prompting me to examine where I was at with my goals and how I wanted to continue to grow as a writer. Now, as I approach graduation, I feel prepared to enter the work force and know how to leverage the connections around me to find work that I am passionate about.

 

Working with Susan was refreshing because she was the first educator to show a deep interest in my future. Throughout high school, I found myself gravitating toward more STEM-oriented courses since that is what I felt like what was expected of me. I rarely thought about what I’d actually be interested in as a career, and I instead focused on excelling in courses that I was not passionate about. Having someone like Susan see my talent and then work with me to develop it ultimately led me to where I am today.

 

Beyond allowing me to figure out what types of writing I enjoyed, Susan also kept me accountable, which is something I still appreciate to this day. Working together on my senior passion project, she kept me on my deadlines and provided meaningful impact, something that I rarely received in classrooms. Even now, when I don’t know what next steps I should take with furthering my experience, she gives me a few tasks to complete before the next time I see her, and she always holds me to those. 

 

If I did not have Susan as a creative arts mentor, I don’t think I would have discovered my passion for creative writing until much later. I don’t think I would have pursued a degree in any arts field, and I would have instead focused on STEM because I was good at it, not because I genuinely enjoyed it. Having someone recognize my talent and then work with me to nurture it, especially while in high school, set me up for a successful college journey and makes me feel confident in my post-grad endeavors. 

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Website: https://christinamccabe.journoportfolio.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinamccabe/

When we first worked together, I was full of creative ideas but felt overwhelmed about how to shape them into something tangible. I knew I wanted to build my life rooted in creativity, storytelling, and community, but I lacked clarity around direction and next steps. My goal was to better understand how my interests in photography, travel, and creative direction could come together in a way that would make

income.

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The most valuable part of our work was your ability to listen deeply and help me organize my thoughts without ever limiting my vision. You didn’t tell me who to be or what to make. Instead, you helped me see connections between my ideas and trust my instincts. During our time together, my approach shifted from self-doubt (in this terrible job market) to passion and confidence. I learned how to move forward with concrete steps.

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Since then, my creative work has grown in both confidence and clarity. I’ve launched photography projects, shown my work publicly, and continued to develop creative concepts that blend storytelling, travel, and community. I now approach new ideas with a sense of

possibility rather than hesitation, and I feel more grounded in who I am as a creative and where I want to go next.

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Having a creative arts mentor was essential, especially early on. Your guidance provided reassurance during moments of uncertainty and reminded me that creative paths are not meant to be linear. It is hard not to compare oneself to those with a more traditional pathway, so having a mentor really helped. The personal impact was profound. You helped me believe that creativity can be a viable career path. I would recommend your mentorship to anyone seeking a better understanding of where they want to go in their career.

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Website: https://linktr.ee/majolicamedia

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Instagram: @majolicamedia / @juliessphotos

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Email: majolicamedia@gmail.com

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Julie is a Boston-based photographer and creative whose work focuses on travel, storytelling, and community. Her projects are inspired by time spent living and studying in Italy, blending visual culture, personal narrative, and a deep appreciation for place.

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You put belief in me that gives me the courage and confidence to pursue my passion. It’s a belief that feels undeniable and unwavering. It’s probably the most incredible energy you share. 

Every conversation we have had, I’ve always walked away feeling motivated and determined. Because if Sue believes in me, then why is it even a question about believing in myself? And this comes with the understanding that you don’t sugar coat things. You give it straight and honest. It’s an immense amount of trust I have in your word by how you navigate a question. 

 

Another part of that trust is seeing and knowing your own professional pursuits and goals, strived for and achieved. Your experience working in so many creative fields brings a perspective that is unlike any other who has pursued and professionalized in a particular career path. Being a creative individual, we need to forge our own path. That’s what so scary about it to those who aren’t in the field. Many professions have a set direction to take to achieve the end goal. But a creative must make their own. The creative has the belief and passion for their work, and all we need sometimes is a little direction or perspective. Because of your experience, you are able to provide so many possibilities that one would not commonly know. 

 

The creative path goes from not seeing it anywhere, to seeing it everywhere. Every moment or interaction is an opportunity. You taught me that. And now I live by it. It’s such an expansive thought process. It’s incredibly exciting to have the perspective that your creative path could go anywhere. 

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When I’ve been stuck, you provide me with a view that brings me 1,000 of feet above it, and look at it from different angles. There is no just one way, and the right one is what works best for me, and what my goals are. 

 

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Website: https://www.brittneycarboneart.com/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/brittneycarbone.art/?hl=en