By Erin DeGregorio '16
Three-time Emmy winner, co-executive producer of NBC News’ “Today” show, and 1993 Siena graduate Tom Mazzarelli came back to his collegiate roots on Monday, November 2 to participate in the School of Liberal Arts Lecture Program with his presentation entitled “A Career in Television With a Liberal Arts Degree.”
Mazzarelli gave his insights into the television news industry, and explained his academic and career choices and paths to students, faculty, and administration. Mazzarelli also gifted three passes for a backstage tour of the “Today” show to Siena students in attendance.
Although he was a history major, Mazzarelli’s career in ‘behind-the-scenes’ television originally began when he was at Siena and was experimenting with different potential professions, such as teacher, lawyer, and writer. Through an “Alumni Night” event, he had the opportunity to network with a Siena alumna and CNN producer Susan Bennett ’82. This interaction eventually led to a summer internship a year later at CNN in Washington, D.C. and permanent job thereafter as a researcher at “Larry King Live.” In 2000, Mazzarelli was hired as a segment producer at “Today,” and in 2008, he joined CBS News and helped launch “CBS This Morning.” Five years later, he returned to NBC’s “Today,” where he now works closely with on-air anchors Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, Natalie Morales, and Carson Daly. As co-executive producer he also oversees the program’s first two hours and orchestrates the live broadcast from the control room each morning. He has covered hundreds of breaking news events over the course of his career, including five presidential elections, 10 Olympic Games, the Oklahoma City Bombing, the 9/11 events, Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and Osama Bin Laden’s capture.
Having been in the business for 20 years, Mazzarelli encouraged students to find and pursue internships; to utilize the volunteer programs that are made available here; and to always do what is asked in order to have an advantage in the competitive work-world following graduation.
“I like the phrase ‘Get to yes!’; figure out how to get to ‘yes’ because that matters,” said Mazzarelli. “Can you get to yes? ‘Can you work this weekend? Yes. Can you work this holiday? Yes.’ Those are the people that figure out a way to go from the pack of 600 people who want those three jobs to slowly make their way up … those are the people that matter.”
While reminiscing on his journey thus far, Mazzarelli reassured the audience that if a student like himself could make it and work at NBC – where they cover various new stories, from Congress to the Kardashians and from pancake syrup to Syria – any student here can do so as well and dream big after graduation.
“As a student, Tom was insightful and inquisitive and the analytical skills he developed at Siena have helped him in his current employment as he works with the news personalities of NBC,” said James Harrison, interim dean of the school of liberal arts and history professor. “He is another successful example of the graduates of Siena College.”
Additionally, three lucky students received complimentary NBC “TODAY” mugs and exclusive VIP tours of the NBC Studios in Rockefeller Center via a free raffle drawing towards the end of the event.
“I’m proud to have gone here, I’m proud about my education, and I’m proud of my accomplishments,” said Mazzarelli in his concluding comments.
