Summer Intern Spotlight: Maddy Goldstein 27BBA at the TODAY Show

Every summer, Goizueta Business School students from all programs step out of the classroom and into internships at companies around the world. These experiences are not just about gaining practical skills; they often lead to lasting memories, powerful insights, and sometimes even job offers.

In this series, we’ll highlight students who completed exciting internships this summer, sharing their journeys, challenges, and triumphs. Stay tuned to discover the incredible work our students have been involved in and the valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way. 

Here, we speak with Maddy Goldstein 27BBA, who spent their summer interning with the TODAY Show.

Tell us a little about yourself and what interested you in pursuing this internship opportunity.

I’m a rising senior at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, concentrating in Film & Media Management and Marketing. I have always loved television and entertainment, and I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to pursue a career in the industry. The TODAY Show has also been part of my life for as long as I can remember — my parents always had it on in the background when I was growing up — so the opportunity to intern at a show that I had watched since I was little was incredibly special to me.

I was especially excited about the internship because I wanted to understand what goes into producing live television and learn from the people who make it happen every morning. Getting the chance to experience that firsthand at such an iconic program was truly a dream opportunity.

What were your primary responsibilities, and what did a typical day look like?

One of my favorite things about working at TODAY was that there really was no “typical” day. I worked with producers across different parts of the show, so I was constantly learning something new.

A large part of my role involved supporting third- and fourth-hour producers with research for upcoming segments and creating detailed research packets that included background information, potential interview questions, and segment ideas. I also helped complete daily content logs documenting the timing and flow of the show for audience measurement teams.

Throughout the summer, I had opportunities to shadow producers through the entire lifecycle of a segment, from the initial research and pre-interview through the live studio execution. On “crash” days, I worked with the research team to quickly find information and content for segments airing the following day.

One day each week, I worked on the TODAY Plaza, where I welcomed fans, helped keep the crowd engaged, assisted with anchor photos and helped cast and prepare fans for shoutouts that aired later in the show. I also worked Citi Concert Series events, helped with studio tours and had the opportunity to attend Q&A sessions with TODAY talent and senior executives. Every day gave me a new perspective on how many people and moving pieces it takes to put together a live television show.

Can you share a project, assignment, or experience from the internship that stood out to you?

One experience that really stood out to me was getting to shadow a producer on a segment with Britt Lower when she came on TODAY to promote the Netflix series I Will Find You. I was able to be part of the process from beginning to end — researching her and the project, sitting in on the pre-interview, contributing ideas for questions that could potentially be asked on air and then being in the studio when the segment was filmed.

It was exciting to see how the research and preparation I had worked on translated into the final segment. That experience gave me a much deeper understanding of how much thought and collaboration happens before viewers ever see an interview on television, and it confirmed how much I enjoy being part of that process.

Another highlight was a TODAY Show x The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon intern event. We were able to meet interns working across The Tonight Show, learn about their experiences and then attend a taping of the show. It was a really fun opportunity to see another side of NBCUniversal and learn more about the different paths within television and entertainment.

What skills or knowledge from your Goizueta experience were you able to apply in your role?

My experience at Goizueta gave me skills that translated into my internship in ways I did not necessarily expect. Through my coursework in Film & Media Management, Marketing and other business classes, I’ve learned how to research effectively, communicate ideas clearly, collaborate with different types of people and think critically about an audience — all of which were important at TODAY.

When I was creating research packets, for example, I had to take a large amount of information and determine what was most relevant and interesting, then communicate it in a concise and useful way for producers and anchors. Goizueta has taught me how important it is to understand who you are communicating with and tailor information accordingly, which was something I found myself doing constantly throughout the internship.

Goizueta has also taught me to be inquisitive and ask thoughtful questions, even when I am in a room with people who are incredibly accomplished in their fields. I learned that from both my professors as well as from my Goizueta peers. That confidence was especially valuable during Q&A sessions with people ranging from TODAY host Al Roker to senior TODAY executives, where I felt comfortable speaking up, asking questions and making the most of the opportunity to learn directly from them.

Outside of the classroom, serving as President of eTV, Emory’s film and television organization, also helped prepare me for the collaborative nature of the industry. Leading the organization gave me experience managing projects, working with a team and taking initiative. At TODAY, I saw just how essential those same skills are when so many different teams have to work together under tight deadlines to put a live show on the air.

How has this internship influenced your career interests, and what advice would you give other students pursuing similar opportunities?

This internship reinforced how much I want to pursue a career in television and entertainment after graduation. I loved the fast-paced, collaborative environment and getting to see how an idea develops from initial research into something that millions of people ultimately watch on television. Before this summer, I knew I loved the entertainment industry, but getting to experience the production process firsthand helped me better understand the types of roles and environments that excite me most.

My biggest advice to other students would be to be proactive and take advantage of every opportunity you are given. Some of my most valuable experiences this summer came from asking if I could shadow a producer, sit in on a pre-interview or learn more about something that interested me. People are often very willing to teach you when they see that you are genuinely curious and excited to learn.

I would also encourage students to get involved with organizations and experiences on campus that relate to their interests, even before they have a formal internship in the field. Being involved with eTV and studying Film & Media Management at Goizueta gave me a foundation that I was able to bring with me to TODAY. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions, introduce yourself to people and raise your hand for new experiences. The more I did that throughout the summer, the more I learned.

Explore more exciting student internships and the experiences that shaped their summer! Discover more here.

Interested in pursuing a business degree? Learn more about the unique programs Goizueta has to offer.