Live from New York—It’s Will Schmid ’25

From a small farm town in Michigan to the high-energy world of live television, Will Schmid ’25 has always thrived when the stakes are high. Now in his final year as an Arts and Entertainment Management major at Pace University, Will has landed the opportunity of a lifetime—an internship at Saturday Night Live during its historic 50th season. But landing his dream gig didn’t happen overnight. After four years of applying to the SNL internship, Will finally got the call. What followed was a rigorous interview process and, as he puts it, a little bit of luck—“like winning the $1 billion lottery.” From networking with industry professionals to gaining hands-on experience through internships, Will has made the most of his time in New York City. His journey is a testament to persistence, passion, and the power of showing up.

In this Q+A, he shares what it’s like working at SNL, the mentors who shaped his path, and his advice for fellow Pace students looking to break into the entertainment industry.

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How did you land this internship at NBCUniversal? What was the application and interview process like?
I’ve been applying to the SNL internship application for four years. This was the first time I was asked to interview. The first interview was a prerecorded video and the next two were with people from the show. The best answer I can give to how I got this job is luck. I know there were plenty of other candidates with the same, if not better, resume than mine. Getting the job offer was like winning the $1 billion lottery.

Have any faculty mentors or Pace experiences helped shape your career aspirations?
Lubin Professor Chris Ramos has been more than an aid during my time at Pace. A number of experiences on my resume come directly from people and jobs he connected me with. He was more than willing to help me from the beginning. The first time I went and knocked on his office door he looked over my resume, talked to me about my goals, and gave his advice.

However, by far the most valuable thing he offers is his email blasts. Whenever someone reaches out to Professor Ramos about hiring, alumni or otherwise, he will send that message out to anyone on his emailing list. This is great for two things: first, you see and can apply to jobs you wouldn’t normally find, and second, you instantly have a connection to the hiring manager from Ramos. As a Pace student, especially an Arts and Entertainment Management major, the best thing you can do is introduce yourself to Professor Ramos.

SNL is celebrating its 50th anniversary. What has it been like working on such a historic season?
I’ve felt nothing but lucky and in shock. Every single person I have met and interacted with at the show is so incredibly talented. SNL has been what it’s been for 50 years because of the people. Just getting to watch them work is educational.

Who has been your favorite SNL host so far this season?
Nate Bargatze. I’ve been a Nate Bargatze fan for years now. I’m happy that he’s starting to get the recognition he deserves. He has a great dry sense of humor and plays a fantastic straight man that works great both on SNL and in his stand up.

Beyond SNL, you’ve had a range of entertainment industry experiences. How do you see this internship shaping your future career path?
SNL has always been the goal. I even said in my interview that SNL has always been at the end of the 30-year plan. It’s even the reason I came to school in NYC (SNL only has internships during the school year). I hope that my internship isn’t the end with the show, however, I’ve gotten to do more than I ever thought I would. It may be a cliché but 10-year-old me wouldn’t believe what I’ve gotten to do. Not just with SNL, but with most of my experiences in college.

You also spent time at the Cannes Film Festival through The American Pavilion. How did that experience shape your perspective on the global entertainment industry?
What really shaped my perspective was my internship with the International Emmy Awards in the screening department. There are so many high-quality shows and movies being made around the world that we will never know about. I always thought of America as the center of movies and TV. Now I think you could name plenty of places around the world where entertainment is just as impactful. I think the industry is both a lot smaller and a lot bigger than I know.

"College in New York City brings opportunities and life that I never thought I would have. "

What was the biggest adjustment when coming to New York City for college and work?
The biggest adjustment was the environment. I grew up in a small farm town in Michigan called Armada. Exact opposite of Manhattan. Growing up we were a 25-minute drive from the grocery store, now I’m a short walk away. Falling asleep at night I used to hear crickets through the window, now I hear FDNY Engine 55 every time it pulls out of the firehouse. Even though they are such opposing forces, I have such a great love for both. College in New York City brings opportunities and life that I never thought I would have. But my time in Armada is something I’m very nostalgic for and shaped me into what I am today. And no matter where I live or how bad our sports teams get, I will always be a Detroit fan.

How has being in NYC influenced your career and learning experiences?
The best thing this city can offer you is opportunities. All the jobs I’ve had in this city I couldn’t have had anywhere else. Some may argue this, but I believe it. No matter what you want to do in life, there is a place for it. For me, that was New York City. My two careers I want are SNL or being a firefighter for the FDNY. This year alone I’ve interned for SNL and taken the hiring exam for the FDNY.

What advice would you give other Pace students looking to break into the entertainment industry?
My dad would always say “The world is never going to come knock on your door.” So, why wait for it? Go out there and get it. Apply to the job you want every semester, even if they never reply. Take every opportunity you can get, even if it’s just a job for a day. My one day of work at the International Emmy Awards gala turned into a semester long internship. One day of work at an IATSE Local One house turned into three months of work over the summer. No matter what the job is, I always work to be the best I can at it. I’m not saying I try to be the best one there, but I always made sure I was the best I could be.