Mary Grace Higbie (’18)
PWSW Alum at CNN
My name is Mary Grace Higbie, I graduated from the Playwriting & Screenwriting program in 2018. I worked on the student-run variety show Purchase Late Night my junior and senior year of college, which was probably my favorite part of being at Purchase.
My senior year I interned at Live with Kelly and Ryan and shortly after graduation I went on to work as a Production Assistant at NBC. During my time at NBC, I supported two Executive Producers and ran the internship program. I am currently based in New York City working as a Business Coordinator at CNN. I spend my off time writing and taking on freelance writing projects.
I began my career as a Production Intern at Live with Kelly and Ryan as a Senior in the program. I was able to secure this internship because of the degree I was pursuing. Post grad I worked for NBC at the Maury Show where I started as a Production Assistant. Because I was a screenwriting major I was utilized by the EPs to edit and proofread scripts for our live shows as well as informational packets for Maury Povich. I would then become the show’s Production Coordinator and EA to both Executive Producers. Leaving Maury I moved to CNN where I am currently a Business Coordinator with their new streaming service. Working with the Content Design and Programming team I have access to the scripts they are animating and creating graphics for as well as helping all other aspects of their production teams.
Advice: I highly suggest students try to obtain an internship before graduating. EP’s often looked over any resume that did not include internships in college. I know firsthand how hard it is to secure an internship in such a competitive industry, but it is the first step to getting into the industry and will help you secure a job out of college faster.
Studying playwriting and screenwriting is still the best decision I have made, because of the education I received I was able to have a larger role in the productions I’ve worked on. Out of college I would work with producer’s on their show scripts that would make it too air and that is because I had the training I did. Thank you to all the professors I was lucky to have!