Student Spotlight: Ryan Bush, COL ’22, NBCUniversal

Ryan Bush is a sophomore in the College studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, with minors in Business Economics and Data Analytics. He is originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Last year, I had the privilege of participating in the Penn Career Services Discovery Days program with NBCUniversal. I was given the opportunity to shadow an alumnus of the College of Arts and Sciences who is currently serving as an executive producer of the TODAY Show. I arrived at 30 Rockefeller Plaza by 4:30 AM, where I was immediately welcomed into the standard 4:45 AM meeting with the producers to get ready for the day’s show. The experience only got better from there!

I had the opportunity to see the entire show unfold from within the control room, where I was able to ask questions and observe the masterful technique with which the producers operated every aspect of the program, changing segments and making adjustments in real-time. Prior to the show, I also had the opportunity to tour the set and speak with a number of the hosts who anchor TODAY, which was an incredible privilege.

This experience helped to solidify my already-existent passion for the media and entertainment industry. I hope to pursue a future career or opportunity with NBCUniversal, and I am incredibly grateful for the insight and guidance that this experience gave to me on my personal journey. NBCUniversal is a storied and vibrant company that continues to do incredible things to this day, and to be among its dedicated employees for even a day was an experience I will cherish for a lifetime.

I would highly recommend the Discovery Days program to all students, as it is an incredible opportunity to explore various industries and discover where your passion lies. Particularly during your freshman and sophomore year, this experience is a wonderful chance to explore a range of career options and potentially determine your next stage in life.

By Ryan Bush
Ryan Bush